Watch The Claudia Kishi Club

The Claudia Kishi Club is a 2020 documentary film directed by Sue Ding. The film follows the story of Claudia Kishi, a Japanese-American character from The Baby-Sitters Club book series, who became an inspiration for many young Asian-American women in the early 1990s. The movie highlights the impact of representation in popular culture and how it empowered a generation of Asian-American women.

The Claudia Kishi Club features an all-Asian cast and is predominantly made up of Asian-American women. The three main cast members, Lucia de la Garza, Mila de la Garza, and Bela Salazar, are a group of friends who bonded over their love for Claudia Kishi when they were young. They formed a book club to read and discuss The Baby-Sitters Club books, with Claudia being their favorite character.

The film starts with the three friends explaining how Claudia Kishi was a radical character and how she broke the stereotype of Asians being portrayed as nerds and geeks in popular culture. The friends also discuss the impact of Claudia's character on their lives and how it helped them embrace their Asian-American identity.

Throughout the film, the three friends interview other Asian-American women who were also inspired by Claudia Kishi. They talk to Margaret Cho, a comedian and actress, who explains how seeing Claudia represented in such a positive light was affirming of her own Asian identity. They also talk to several young girls who explain how they admire Claudia because of her creativity, fashion sense, and the fact that she was a strong and independent female character.

The documentary examines how Claudia's character challenged the stereotype of Asians being portrayed as being studious and uncreative. The film features interviews with Asian-American creatives such as Sarah Kuhn, author of Heroine Complex, and Gloria Calderón Kellett, co-creator of One Day at a Time, who discuss how they were inspired by Claudia's character and how it helped them pursue their creative passions.

One of the strengths of The Claudia Kishi Club is its exploration of Claudia Kishi's cultural and historical context. The film talks about the internment camps that Japanese Americans were forced into during World War II, which is something that many young Asian Americans may not be aware of. The documentary also talks about how Claudia's character was created by Ann M. Martin, a white writer, and how the character's positive portrayal may have been influenced by the fact that Martin had a Japanese-American babysitter growing up.

The film is not just a celebration of Claudia's character but also a tribute to the power of friendship and community. The Claudia Kishi Club is a testament to the ways in which culture, books, and representation can connect people and provide a sense of belonging for those who may feel marginalized.

In summary, The Claudia Kishi Club is an inspiring and uplifting documentary that explores the impact of representation in popular culture. The film celebrates the power of diversity, friendship, and creative expression through the lens of Claudia Kishi, a relatable and aspirational character for many Asian-American women. The documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in diversity, representation, and the power of popular culture.

The Claudia Kishi Club is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.