Mulan

In a 1998 classic make of the Chinese legend Hua Mulan, Disney produces one of the most memorable films about an Asian American girl who struggles to uphold her family honor and save her father’s life. Director Tony Bancroft attempts to translate the folklore legend of a young girl who disguises herself as a man in order to take her handicapped father’s place in the army into a film that young Americans could relate to. In an interesting casting choice, Filipina actress/singer Lea Salonga provides the voice of Chinese Fa Mulan.

Mulan chronicles the story of a young girl who decides to join the Chinese army disguised as a boy named Ping. Mushu, a small dragon, takes the burden of protecting Mulan and restoring honor to the family. During a disastrous training camp, Mulan, or now Ping, stirs trouble within the camp, finding it very difficult to keep her secret. Ambushed by an entire army of Hans, Ping tactfully aims the last rocket at a nearby mountain to create an avalanche that buries the entire army. Ping is injured during battle and is discovered to be a girl. The Chinese army abandons her on the mountainside where she sees the remaining Hans march towards the city with the intent of capturing the Emperor. Mulan desperately races back towards the city trying to warn anyone she can see about the Han army. With no one heeding her warnings, the Hans capture the Emperor which sets up a battle where the enemy is eventually defeated once again due to the innovation and bravery of Mulan. Mulan is bestowed one of the highest honors and returns home to her family with the respect of all of China.

Lea Salonga is a Filipina actress and singer who has starred in many roles some of which include Kim in Miss Saigon and Princess Jasmine in Aladdin. Her incredible voice has also led her to notable involvements which include parts in The King and I and Les Miserables. What’s interesting to note is her variety of roles which includes portrayals of different ethnic roles, neither of which or Filipino. Filipinos have always had difficulty finding a

true identity. They are often confused for ethnicities such as Cambodian, Latino, or any oriental race. While Lea is able to successfully use her voice as her claim to fame, there are few Filipino actors or actresses that make it big due to their racial ambiguity. The issue of hypervisibility/invisibility also comes into play as Lea Salonga is the singing voice behind the character Mulan. No one knows she is Filipina yet she, like the singers of Legaci, provide much of the driving force behind their counterparts success.