I don't think everyone understands how incredible this Turning Red teaser showcases an Asian Canadian coming-of-age story set in Toronto. Especially for a Chinese Canadian and Torontonian growing up in the 2000s.
Let me explain.
This shot in the 1 minute 50 second teaser made me cry:
Because this is Chinatown on the East end of Toronto in 2021:
And this is Downtown Toronto Chinatown along Dundas Street in 2021:
(Taken from Google Streetview bc I don't have anything else)
I saw this 3 second shot and immediately thought, "I know this street. This is the Chinatown from my memory." Because the vibe, the aesthetic, and the details are what I remember.
As a Chinese Canadian kid who grew up in Toronto, Chinatown used to be bright and vibrant. 2002 Downtown Toronto Chinatown had lanterns hung for summer street festivals along the road; there were sidewalk street vendors selling you HK egg waffles and fish balls on a stick, and weekends were packed with people - parents getting their groceries, tourists from other cities, and Asian immgrants from other suburbs to share in community activities because the local Asian populations in their own suburbs didn't establish themselves large enough yet.
Most of the Asian population have moved out into the surrounding suburbs and established stronger communities there by the mid-2010s. Downtown Toronto Chinatown mainly became a tourist site for sightseeing and architecture, while there were reconstruction efforts for the ageing homes and residents.
Also this title shot:
has incredible attention to detail. It's taken from a rooftop but the angle of the CN Tower is taken along Spadina Avenue, which is where Downtown Toronto Chinatown runs:
(Again, Google Streetview at traffic level, 2021)
Congratulations to Director Domee Shi and the Pixar team that worked on this. Not only did this 1 minute 50 second teaser give us a cute movie premise, it already captures the experience of growing up as an Asian Canadian (which has a different nuance than growing up Asian American) and beautifully depicts Toronto in its signature elements and diversity (Sikh security guard, POC classmates, Maple leaf logos, Mei's toque, Lester B Pearson, graffiti in the basketball alley) in all it's small details.
Representation matters.
