The film Bubblehead took on several dynamics as I watched it. I felt as if the differences between cultures were shown in a similar context to the similarities such as in the ballroom dancing differentiating the parents from their cultural roots and pointing towards a European tradition. Likewise the preschool scenes articulated that life among children is not much different throughout the age group and that every child handles stress and assignments similarly, perhaps taking on the point of view of the creator-allowing the audience to make a conclusion that while every person has a different lineage, we are all somewhat similar, simplified into the human element.
Q: History of Asian Americans relates to this film by showing a snap shot of time in the life of one little boy who is thrown into a world of Caucasian mentality, language, and habits that associate themselves with America rather than Asian culture. This course is Asian American History in Film and Theatre, which articulates within this film the associations between boundaries and cultures in post WWII era.
In later introspection I find that the piece Bubblehead was illustrating the political and social tension within the state of California as the history of Asian Americans is being written. The relatively new population of Asians within the United States has both affected the culture of America and added to the “melting pot” of cultural differences while also changing itself to fit better into the mold of Americans.
The image of a "melting pot" that you mentioned is an interesting point. I think the idea is to embrace diversity and individuality, but the more one mixes the "pot," the more alike everything begins to appear. Also, your analysis of Cyrus' age makes me wonder why the director chose such a young boy rather than a young adult where "Bubblehead" could then become a sort of coming-of-age story.
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