China outraged over `Geisha'

[donsu]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0512160202dec16,1,5956725.story?coll=chi-entertainmentfront-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true


With tensions from WW II atrocities flaring anew, nation calls casting of Beijing actress as Japanese geisha an insult


With Beijing's young homegrown star Ziyi Zhang appearing this month in the heavily promoted "Memoirs of a Geisha," it might seem to be cause for China to celebrate.

On the contrary, many Chinese film fans are denouncing Zhang for accepting a risque Japanese role and blasting American filmmakers at a time of rising tension between Asia's dominant powers. The criticism reflects a volatile strain of nationalism growing in China, which has fueled bursts of anti-Japan riots and increasingly worries Asian neighbors.

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The criticism caught the star and filmmakers by surprise. Academy Award-winning director Rob Marshall had expected a warm welcome from Asian audiences for casting what filmmakers say isthe first all-Asian lineup for a big-budget Hollywood production. Adapted from Arthur Golden's successful 1997 American novel, the movie opens in Chicago on Friday. It stars Watanabe, Zhang and fellow Chinese actress Gong Li, as well as Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.

Despite the criticism, the filmmakers and its stars stand by the casting. They argue that insisting on only Japanese performers would have been discriminatory and would have departed from a long tradition of actors ranging outside their own nationality and ethnicity.
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very interesting read about the country where all our things come from

[MaineDem]

1. You know, I thought this was odd casting myself

I would think they could find Japanese actresses for this film. I thought the Chinese casting was bizarre.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

2. I agree on the Chinese casting. To me it's like the old cliche that all

Orientals look alike. Racist.

I would also think the Japanese were none to pleased with it.

[drdtroit]

4. It's no different than actors working in "blackface"! n/t

[donsu]

5. I was thinking the same. isn't Rob supposed to be up on these things?

nt

[greiner3]

3. It's a bit like getting;

A Canuck to play a Merican type. IMHO:sarcasm: