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Citizen King
Movie

Citizen King

2008 • Unknown

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Citizen King is a down-and-out Chinese actor with the dream of make it in Hollywood. King meets a sleazy American producer who promises that if King can make an audition tape he will get him set up in Hollywood.

Overall Series Review

Citizen King is a dark comedy and satire following an egotistical, down-and-out Chinese actor's delusional pursuit of fame in Hollywood. The narrative critiques both the protagonist’s enormous ego and the exploitative, commercial nature of the global entertainment machine. The main conflict involves the Chinese actor, King, and a sleazy American producer, Larry Mills, who acts as a corrupt gatekeeper to the American system. The film is more concerned with the psychological toll of ambition, self-delusion, and the hyperbole of the acting profession than with political or social lecturing. The movie's limited focus on gender, sexuality, and religion keeps the score low in those categories.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics4/10

The plot centers on a Chinese actor struggling to gain recognition from the American-dominated Hollywood system, framing the conflict around a cultural/ethnic outsider and a powerful Western industry. The American producer is depicted as 'sleazy,' positioning a Western male as an exploitative antagonist. However, the protagonist is highly satirized and flawed, suggesting the narrative prioritizes a critique of ego and industry over a lecture on systemic oppression.

Oikophobia3/10

The film satirizes the corrupt nature of Hollywood, a powerful Western institution, through the 'sleazy American producer' character. However, the protagonist's dream is to leave Hong Kong, believing his home culture 'doesn't get him,' indicating a self-criticism of his non-Western home as well. The satire is aimed at the commercial entertainment industry globally, not a fundamental rejection or demonization of core Western values or ancestors.

Feminism2/10

The main female character is described as a 'love interest' and the protagonist's 'biggest fan,' providing a supportive and 'warm presence' for the male lead. The narrative focuses almost exclusively on the male actor's ego and career ambition. There is no evidence of a 'Girl Boss' trope, male emasculation beyond the protagonist's own self-sabotage, or anti-natalist messaging.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative's focus on the male protagonist's career ambition and his relationship with his female 'love interest' does not include centering alternative sexualities, deconstructing the nuclear family, or promoting gender ideology. The structure remains normative.

Anti-Theism1/10

The film is a satire primarily focused on the secular world of the entertainment industry, ego, and career aspirations. There are no readily available plot points or themes that involve the critique of religion, the promotion of moral relativism, or the vilification of Christian characters.