Going with the transnational flow in Bondi Tsunami

Abstract

This paper explores the transnational flows and nationalizing forces affecting the representation of Japan in Rachael Lucas’ 2004 film Bondi Tsunami. I present an analysis of the strategic ways in which the film invites Japanese capital and tourism into Australia, as well as the ways in which it hybridizes Australian and Japanese stereotypes and sensibilities. I explore the ambiguous sexualization of the Japanese male, as well as the significance of both the road movie genre and the film’s attempts to create a hyperreal style. This paper argues that stereotype and representation in Bondi Tsunami offer us a ‘contact zone’ (following Rey Chow) that can potentially lead to imaginative cross-cultural exchange between Australia and Japan.

Notes

1. The website was not functioning at the time this paper was submitted for publication. The last access date is August 18, 2014. The website had stated that the last update occurred during 2014. Although the author of the website is not strictly known, in this paper they are assumed to be Rachael Lucas for the sake of clarity in citation. Any quotations of Lucas or the Bondi Tsunami website refer to this website unless otherwise indicated.

2. Thanks to Sam Mathews for his extremely helpful ideas on the Beats, hyperreality, and the surfing road movie.