TYRUS, an award-winning documentary by Pamela Tom, will make its debut at the Nevada Theatre on Thursday, August 14, at 7:00 p.m. This screening is part of Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra’s (CATS) ongoing Cultural Enrichment Program, telling compelling stories of Asians through films and events. The screening is presented jointly by CATS and The Onyx Downtown at the Nevada Theatre; we invite all to stay after the film to meet the filmmaker virtually for a Q&A.
In the early 1900s, Tyrus Wong, a nine-year old boy from China, immigrated to the U.S. with his father. What was the political “climate” like at that time towards the Chinese? Due to the Chinese Exclusion Act*[1], their journey into the U.S. was by way of the Angel Island Immigration Station in the San Francisco Bay (known the Ellis Island of the West) where Chinese immigrants were processed and detained for interrogation. Many were actually returned to their homeland, if they failed to meet the interrogations and the standards for “admission”. Those who “passed” the immigration process, which often were long, enduring, and humiliating, were allowed into the country. As with Chinese immigrants in those post-Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad days, they still came seeking a better life, with the hope of sending money back to China and improving their families’ livelihood. While Tryrus’ father often left him with friends while he sought employment, they ultimately ended up in southern California, where Tyrus lived all his life. As a young child, Tyrus exhibited great talent as a fine art painter. As an adult, he claimed that he “was not good at anything else” and just loved to paint. His father eventually gave in and recognized this unique talent, and encouraged him, which was unusual, as most Chinese fathers would have preferred their sons pursue medicine or engineering. With a scholarship, Tyrus studied at a prestigious art school.
While good fortune landed Tyrus in the land of opportunities, what he made of his circumstances was exemplary. He worked extremely hard, while navigating racism and challenges. Tyrus forged ahead and ultimately gained the respect and notoriety of his peers that was long due him, many years later in his 90s. Probably best known for creating the image and aesthetics for Walt Disney’s Bambi with art influenced by his Chinese background, he went on to create much more, including working as an animator, illustrator, set designer, and story board artist in movies for other Hollywood studios like Warner Brothers. He also designed holiday cards for Hallmark, creating art on ceramic ware, and building exquisite kites with images of exotic animals. Today, his style is widely revered in the industry. While he didn’t become a doctor or an engineer, in following his passion to paint with the support of his father and eventually his wife and family, his work became legendary, and significantly contributed to American culture. He lived to 106 years old and passed away in 2016.
TYRUS offers a historical lens for understanding today’s climate of unprecedented visibility for Asians and Asian Americans in Hollywood, as well as in anti-Asian racism and the current day immigrant dilemma in general. The film follows Tyrus’ journey as he struggled through poverty and racism to become a successful. This film honors his enduring legacy and sheds light on the history in which Americans of Asian descent have been scapegoated and subject to harassment, discrimination, and racial violence since the 1850s, when the first wave of Chinese immigrants arrived in California.
Pamela Tom is a documentary and narrative director and producer. Her work explores themes of identity and the intersection of Asian aesthetics and American culture. After meeting Tyrus Wong, Pamela worked tirelessly to make TYRUS, the award-winning documentary that delves into his life, art, and enduring impact. Tom is a recipient of a Walt Disney Writing Fellowship, Dorothy Arzner Award for Outstanding Woman Director, and Asian Pacific Women’s Network Award. Tom served as the Director of Diversity at Film Independent. She received her BA from Brown University and MFA from UCLA.
Tickets at https://www.theonyxtheatre.com/movies/1000026110-tyrus/
[1] The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a United States federal law signed by President Chester A. on May 6, 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years. The law made exceptions for travelers and diplomats. The Act also denied Chinese residents already in the U.S. the ability to become citizens and Chinese people traveling in or out of the country were required to carry a certificate identifying their status or risk deportation. It was the first major U.S. law implemented to prevent all members of a specific national group from immigrating to the United States, and therefore helped shape twentieth-century immigration policy. The Law was extended a number times and was ultimately abolished in 1943.