Lost in Translation, irreverent? Options

[starry]

Did anyone else feel that this movie kind of mocks the Japanese? That's the impression I got, and my boyfriend says he felt that way too. Now I'm not saying that it's a horrible thing to do or anything; I just got the distinct feeling that it wasn't portraying Japanese culture in the most flattering light.

I went to the the imdb.com message board to see how other people feel, and apparently most feel that it's only a comic portrayal of two cultures clashing and not meant to be a mockery, or racist. But it seems most of them aren't Asian. So I want some opinions from some Asian folk who saw this film - did you feel that it was irreverent of Japanese culture?

[RiverPlate4Life]

What a bunch of whiners.

The movie's focus wasn't on portraying another country and its culture. Japan was only a backdrop to show not only were the the two leads literally lost in translation but their personal lives were as well. Bill Murray had absoutely no clue how to communicate with his family and Johannson was in a same predicament in her inability to communicate with her husband.

[Nadja]

Did anyone else feel that this movie kind of mocks the Japanese?  That's the impression I got, and my boyfriend says he felt that way too.  Now I'm not saying that it's a horrible thing to do or anything; I just got the distinct feeling that it wasn't portraying Japanese culture in the most flattering light. 

I went to the the imdb.com message board to see how other people feel, and apparently most feel that it's only a comic portrayal of two cultures clashing and not meant to be a mockery, or racist.  But it seems most of them aren't Asian.  So I want some opinions from some Asian folk who saw this film - did you feel that it was irreverent of Japanese culture?

Yeah, I only read about it...But the reviews I read mentioning that it mocks the Japanese pissed me off enough to never want to see it. Plus I'm not a huge fan of Sofia Coppola. I thought The Virgin Suicides was really badly done.

[S37eN]

Thought it was a good movie The movie set in Japan cant see how it mocks japanese people

[sniff]

Did anyone else feel that this movie kind of mocks the Japanese?  That's the impression I got, and my boyfriend says he felt that way too.  Now I'm not saying that it's a horrible thing to do or anything; I just got the distinct feeling that it wasn't portraying Japanese culture in the most flattering light. 

I went to the the imdb.com message board to see how other people feel, and apparently most feel that it's only a comic portrayal of two cultures clashing and not meant to be a mockery, or racist.  But it seems most of them aren't Asian.  So I want some opinions from some Asian folk who saw this film - did you feel that it was irreverent of Japanese culture?

around the time this movie came out, there was a petition about how it reinforces racial/ethinc sterotypes of asians/japanese. so apparently, more than just a handful of people think that way.

i saw the movie, and i felt kind of uncomfortable seeing stereotypical images, ie. asians as being short and always having a camera around their necks.


on a sidenote, have you guys seen "in the mood for love"? sofia coppola says that film inspired her in this movie.

[Mantis]

But that's really what it's like in Japan. They're WEEEEEIIIIIRD. 2

But this whole "weirdness" was integral to the characters and the movie's overall theme of being "lost" We suffered in the process but the movie wouldn't have worked if this theme hadn't been emphasized.

This post has been edited by Mantis: Dec 13 2004, 10:58 AM

[ill Rich]

hmmm

howd u get that impression, starry?

there were no main japanese characters in the movie... it was the setting

[Mantis]

howd u get that impression, starry?

Are you kidding me, there's negative portrayal EVERYWHERE.

The translator lady, the loud obnoxious TV host, the guys at the bar with a water hose, the pimple-faced kid in the subway looking at anime porn, the weirdo at the arcade, the old man at the hospital, the list is goes on. It gave the impression that Tokyo was one big asylum.

This post has been edited by Mantis: Dec 13 2004, 06:30 PM

[chicken_pot_pie]

Like everyone was saying, its more a backdrop and the "Typical images" weren't that bad that they offended me. If you want to be offended just find the new "meet the fockers" trailers about "the ch1nk in the chain" The play on words isn't even subtle. Sure wouldn't hear them using the racial slur N1gger to make jokes with.

This post has been edited by chicken_pot_pie: Dec 13 2004, 09:38 PM

[UrbanPoet]

is Japan really like that?

[Tami]

Really? I'm surprised all these non-Japanese find this movie offending. I acually went to see this movie in Japan, and nobody there was offended. Infact, everybody laughed.

The "typical images" were...typical for Japan. I don't really see how the rest of asia was pulled into the mix, but alright. The movie was actually filmed in Japan, and they are that short,

Are you kidding me, there's negative portrayal EVERYWHERE.

The translator lady, the loud obnoxious TV host, the guys at the bar with a water hose, the pimple-faced kid in the subway looking at anime porn, the weirdo at the arcade, the old man at the hospital, the list is goes on. It gave the impression that Tokyo was one big asylum.

A lot of translators are like that, the obnovious TV host is an actual TV host, the water hose thing is common as well, I must have seen hundreds of pimple faced kids, and dignified looking businessmen on trains looking at hentai, I've met arcade wierdo's, In Japan they do not speak English at hospitals, and all places have senile old people.

[starry]

howd u get that impression, starry?

Are you kidding me, there's negative portrayal EVERYWHERE.

The translator lady, the loud obnoxious TV host, the guys at the bar with a water hose, the pimple-faced kid in the subway looking at anime porn, the weirdo at the arcade, the old man at the hospital, the list is goes on. It gave the impression that Tokyo was one big asylum.

Like Tami said, these things do happen in Japan, and some of them are real personalities. But it's not a complete portrayal of Tokyo. The director just took the outrageous things and stuck them in there without balancing them out with more "normal" aspects.

[sniff]

Like everyone was saying, its more a backdrop and the "Typical images" weren't that bad that they offended me. If you want to be offended just find the new "meet the fockers" trailers about "the ch1nk in the chain" The play on words isn't even subtle. Sure wouldn't hear them using the racial slur N1gger to make jokes with.

asian activist groups are already on about this movie:

'No chineses" Says Film 'Meet the Fockers'
Asian Media Watch
December 13, 2004

Watch videos:
http://www.asianmediawatch.net/meetthefockers/

In a speech from father to future son-in-law, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) tells Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) "I can't have a chinese in my chain." Jack uses a metaphor about two circles forming a "chain" to describe the joining of the Byrnes and Focker family trees by marriage. He goes on to describe how he can't have undersirable people join his family tree. He can't have a "chinese" in his "chain." The "chinese" joke is repeated in the film.

Meet the Fockers is a comedy that relies on double entendres. The title of the movie is itself intended to be funny. The use of the word "focker" in the film's title and in the film's signature jokes prepare the audience for word games. We're supposed to laugh when Jack angrily refers to his future in-laws as "those Fockers" e.g. vulgar slang "fu-kers" Likewise, we're supposed to laugh at the use of the word "chinese" when Jack says "I can't have a chinese in my chain" or Greg says "Your dad is very worried that there's going to be a chinese in the chain"

These jokes are only funny if audiences interpret the word "chinese" as a demeaning term for people of Chinese descent. This intentional play on words by the producers is repulsive and we're not laughing.

Since the 1800s, Chinese Americans have made important contributions to American society. Early Chinese immigrants worked on plantations, in mining, in logging, and in railroad construction. Over 13,000 Chinese immigrants helped build the most treacherous sections of the Transcontinental Railroad which was vital to the growth of the American economy. Despite their contributions, Chinese Americans faced racial discrimination including anti-immigration laws (Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882) and infringements on the right to vote. Reflecting the racist attitudes of the time, Chinese Americans were referred to "chineses" and "Chinamen" and demonized in the press and in public forums.

The word 'chinese' is a derogatory term used to demean and dehumanize people of Chinese descent. This ethnic slur has no place in contemporary society. By using of this word in their film, the producers of Meet the Fockers are condoning racist attitudes and the use of ethnic slurs against Americans of Chinese and Asian descent.

Contact the producers of the film:
http://www.asianmediawatch.net/meetthefockers/

--
Asian Media Watch
Web: http://www.asianmediawatch.net
News: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asianmediaalerts/
E-mail: alerts@asianmediawatch.net


EDIT - the auto-edit revised my post. insert the word "CH1NK" or "CH1NKS" when you see "chinese" or "chineses"

This post has been edited by sniff: Dec 14 2004, 07:16 AM

[S37eN]

Wow guess that settles it

[technolickingkit...]

that's disgusting .... I'm revolted they think it's funy .... and Robert de Niro why did u do it?

[ill Rich]

Like Tami said, these things do happen in Japan, and some of them are real personalities.  But it's not a complete portrayal of Tokyo.  The director just took the outrageous things and stuck them in there without balancing them out with more "normal" aspects.

but this was a movie, not a national geographic film on japan

the guy was an entertainer of course most of the people he meets are going to be eccentric

lemme ask you this

what would a complete portrayal of tokyo have to do with the storyline?

[AgentBach]

Racism towards Asians is FUNNY!

[DarkcaTT]

It is just a movie..........Hollywood movies makes fun of all races anyway. That does not mean it is right though.

[starry]

Like Tami said, these things do happen in Japan, and some of them are real personalities.  But it's not a complete portrayal of Tokyo.  The director just took the outrageous things and stuck them in there without balancing them out with more "normal" aspects.

but this was a movie, not a national geographic film on japan

the guy was an entertainer of course most of the people he meets are going to be eccentric

lemme ask you this

what would a complete portrayal of tokyo have to do with the storyline?

If you re-read my original post, notice I said I'm not saying it's a terrible thing to do or anything. Mainly I'm just interested in hearing how other Asians perceived this movie.

[chosenone22]

Most of my non asian buddies laughed their asses off when the saw that japanese dressed as a cowboy walking down the hall at the hotel. They said something like "Some Asians actually think they are cowboys over there? Man thats embrassing!" But you know it's something you don't understand. Like how Americans try to be ninjas and samurais because it's cool. Same thing as some japanese dress like cowboys. Imagine a movie where the lead role is a japanese guy dressed as a cowboy killing other japanese cowboys set in tokyo. Sh!t would be funny as hell right? Most white americans would laugh thier @$$ off at such a movie. But reverse it and it would be as funny to the Japanese if a white american dressed up as a ninja and fight other white ninjas in america. But wait there is such a movie AMERICAN NINJA..ahh forget it I have no point in this just rambling hahahahahaahhaha.