By Brianna Adkins
A transformation has taken place in Hollywood with the rise of feminist platforms and cultural appropriation call-outs. Women and people of color are standing up, speaking out, and fighting for their rights in this dominating industry. Now more than ever, audiences are seeing a more diverse range of actors in action as protagonists and antagonists. These people are in the spotlight, rather than on the sidelines as the love interest or wacky “P.O.C.” pal.
It’s so important for people of color and women to see themselves as warriors and heroes, especially when in history they often weren’t seen at all. That’s why it was such a big win for Chinese actress, Lily Ji, when she heard she earned the role of Cadet Meilin in the major motion picture, Pacific Rim Uprising.
“[Upon receiving] the opportunity to join the big [Pacific Rim] family, I did a happy cartwheel,” Ji explained with excitement.
Ji portrayed Cadet Meilin with intensity and passion, giving verve to a character who dedicated her whole life in service of being a guardian to a dismantled world. With her stoic, yet badass nature, she shone as a cadet who had the grit to protect and serve as a soldier.
It was always Ji’s dream to picture herself in such a respected role on the big screen. Her father served in the army, so she was taught to respect those in the military her entire life. Ji also tended to stick around boys while growing up, shifting her interest towards robots and watching transformers during her free time—something that has not always been acknowledged as a feminine pastime. But that never phased her.
“All of us have that superhero dream in our blood. This time is definitely a dream come true moment for me,” said Ji.
As both a woman and a Chinese actor, her image on screen is rarely portrayed appropriately or even at all. Many Asian stories are portrayed through a narrow, white lens with an equally ivory cast. Pacific Rim Uprising did an excellent job at including numerous Asian cultures and their narratives, giving actors like Lily Ji a moment to shine in Hollywood—a dream. But should it even have to be a dream?
According to Ji, the film industry needs to work harder to have these stories told. While Pacific Rim was a step in the right direction, she believes that more films need to include other cultural narratives through the appropriate directors who have the capability to tell these stories.
“When we have more screenwriters [and] directors from all different cultural backgrounds, we will have more opportunities to tell our stories. It’s the same just like women in the film and TV industry; it can only happen more when we have more people to ride with us,” explained Ji.
In the future, she will continue to fight to be included in these stories. Hollywood has a long way to go, but thanks to movies like Pacific Rim Uprising, a positive change can be seen on the horizon.
You can now purchase Pacific Rim Uprising on Blu-ray and DVD in stores.
Check out the entirety of the interview with Lily Ji below:
Brianna Adkins: What about Pacific Rim Uprising drew you in to audition for the role of Cadet Meilin?
Lily Ji: It [was] actually Rinko’s character, Mako, as the female lead in a Hollywood big budget film which was very encouraging—and a great opening—for us Asian actors, internationally. In my memory, it’s less than 5 [percent] in the film and tv industry with Asian female leads. For the Pacific Rim series, what I love is [that] both of them have strong, powerful, independent, smart, and fun female characters. They are all from very different ethic and language backgrounds. It’s just great to see the representation on screen; it reveals the reality, because we do live in a multicultural world. So when I heard about the audition for Meilin, I could have the opportunity to join the big family, I did a happy cartwheel (LOL).
Adkins: You had the opportunity to play a badass young woman who dedicated her life to prepare to save the world from extinction from Kaijus. What was it like to get inside the head of such a brave and selfless woman?
Ji: [I was] very honored to represent China as the young Chinese cadet in the international team. My father used to be in the army, so I guess I always have the respect towards soldiers, and my dad was really happy when he saw me as the military image on screen. Plus, I was kind of growing up with robots and playing with the boys, even watching transformers with the boys. I guess probably all of us have that superhero dream in our blood. So this time is definitely a dream come true moment for me.
Adkins: It was incredible to see such a diverse cast working together in complete solidarity. A strong message from Pacific Rim Uprising is one of unity. What do you think Hollywood needs to do more of in order for this message of inclusivity of all cultures to continue?
Ji: When we have more screenwriters [and] directors from all different cultural backgrounds, we will have more opportunities to tell our stories. It’s the same just like women in the film and TV industry; it can only happen more when we have more people to ride with us.
Adkins: If you had the opportunity to build your own custom Jaeger, what would you equip it with (armor, weapons, bio-tech, mechanics, etc.)?
Ji: Oh god, I’m needy! I want them all! The all in one Jaeger!
Adkins: You had the opportunity to learn from powerhouse actors in the film industry. John Boyega, Rinko Kikuchi, and Charlie Day. What was it like to work alongside these industry titans and what did you learn from them?
Ji: [The] first thing I learned from them is humbleness. No matter how famous they are already, they are still very down to earth, easygoing, and friendly to us all. They are willing to lift you up when you need it for sure, and that is very comforting when you are new to the industry (especially coming from [the] Chinese industry to Hollywood). It still felt challenging to start with, even [though] I did my bachelor degree in Australia. I felt we were a great ensemble to have fun with, and they treat us as equal colleagues. It was amazing working and learning from them!
Adkins: What can we expect from you in the future after such a long list of incredible films under your belt?
Ji: I just wrapped a Chinese comedy series—kind of like, Friends,—as the lead. [Its about] a German expat [who] returns back to China to start their new life with a group of returnees. And I have 2 feature films as the lead [that] will be released later this year: one with IQiYi, Abduction produced by Roger Corman, with Scott Adkins and Andy On, Light Sci-fi/ Action; one with Tencent, Treasure League, a Chinese period action drama. I finally got to do some real martial arts as the double agent! Another TV series called the Gods, Chinese famous fantasy drama, I played ChanYu Deng, the most beautiful girl in town and a brave female general to help win the war.
In my future plan, I would love to try some indie films or challenging roles like Charlie Theron in The Monster, Natalie Portman in Black Swan, or maybe the female version of The Talented Mr. Ripley for Matt Damon’s role. I want to always challenge myself to try something totally different and new, so I can expand and grow. [I want to] jump out of my comfort zone. Most importantly, [I want] to learn from all these amazing human beings, and their lives, that the fun to be an actor— have the luck to be different persons and live in different lives. [I also want] so much more…
Comments