Stanislaus State Professor of Anthropology Steve Arounsack believes in the importance of connecting with one’s cultural roots and using art to share that heritage with others.
After his father’s death, he returned to Laos at age 16, where he rediscovered his family’s culture, connected with relatives and listened to a lifetime of stories.
Inspired by his experience, he felt a responsibility to preserve and share his family’s culture and saw filmmaking as a powerful tool to accomplish his goal. Arounsack shared his expertise about the people and culture of Southeast Asia when he served as lead cultural advisor on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2021 animated film, “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
As an alumnus of the American Film Showcase Exchange, a program offered through the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Arounsack was invited to discuss his involvement in the film on MentorTalks, an interactive video series that highlights alumni.
During the 30-minute episode with host Maria Eliades that aired via Facebook watch, Arounsack talked about his time spent in Laos and Indonesia, his work with Disney and the importance of representation in stories. He also shared advice for aspiring filmmakers.
Watch Steve Arounsack on MentorTalks
“For a lot of refugees and immigrants, we often don’t get the chance to visit our homelands,” Arounsack said. “To be able to go back and listen to the stories from my aunts and uncles for the first time, that really changed the trajectory of what I wanted to do with my life. Everyone has a story to tell.”
As a strong advocate for the Southeast Asian community, Arounsack was thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate closely with the filmmakers and provide insight into the customs and traditions that define Southeast Asian cultures.
“We had to make sure that every detail, from the architecture to the clothing, was true to the cultures being portrayed,” he said.
Working on the Disney film was an eye-opening experience for the visual anthropologist and documentary filmmaker. At one point, he said he questioned the creators on the authenticity of the characters’ names, ensuring they accurately reflected Southeast Asian culture.
“That's one of the most important lessons that I learned,” he said. “You must stand in your center of truth. It's okay to lose a job, but it's not okay to lose your dignity.”
He also saw firsthand the power of the media to influence perceptions and create connections. Storytelling in films like “Raya and the Last Dragon” can foster understanding, appreciation and coexistence between different cultures, he said.
“It’s more than just entertainment. It’s about representation and giving voice to communities that have often been overlooked.”
At Stan State, Arounsack inspires his students to harness the power of their own stories. He encourages them to delve into their cultural backgrounds and use video as a dynamic tool for storytelling.
“As filmmakers, we tend to spend a lot of time following our own voice, while it’s much more important to listen to those around you,” he said. “I want my students to feel empowered to tell their own stories, to see the value in their experiences and to share them with the world.”
Through teaching, Arounsack continues to nurture the next generation of storytellers and encourage them to seize opportunities to tell their own stories.
His advice to aspiring filmmakers is clear and practical.
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment because that almost never happens,” Arounsack said. “Start whenever you can. If you have a group of friends interested in a project, start there because you're going to need a team. You’ll often work with the same people on multiple projects, so don’t wait for everything to perfectly align. Start building your team early and form connections. Remember, no project is too small.”
