Full Version: The movie "Memories of Geisha" run by Chinese
Why the movie "Memories of Geisha" about Japanese culture has all the Chinese being in the movie?? I mean, even the main character and 2 other sub character Gong Li and the other chick from 007. Why can't they just use Japanese to play a movie about Japanese culture.
All the Japanese actors/actresses declined haha
that's what I was wondering when I first saw the commercials. 
any how quoted from wiki:
any how quoted from wiki:
QUOTE
Casting controversy
Some people were upset that central characters in the movie were not played by native Japanese actresses, notably that the lead role is played by a Chinese actress.
While many people are offended by the casting, Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh advocates inter-Asian acting. In a recent magazine article (Bust Magazine June/July 2005), she defends her roles as characters of Japanese (e.g. Rick) and Chinese descent by pointing out similar behavior from white actors who play European characters interchangeably:
Memoirs of a Geisha (film)
Ralph Fiennes can play an English person, a German person, a Polish person, a Jewish person. He can play anything, and no one questions him. He is a handsome, Caucasian-looking-ish man. So, to American audiences, Europe looks like that. Europe does not look like that. But that is the image we have been fed for 60 years, so we accept that. But what I have big problems with is when people put those limits on me. I just think, "Give me a fu-king break. You have no idea what I am." Because when you meet someone, you never say, "I met Joe Schmoe, and he's Irish-French." But there always has to be a quantifier or qualifier when it comes to me.
--Sandra Oh, Bust Magazine
Memoirs of a Geisha (film)
Roger Ebert has also pointed out that the film was made by a Japanese-owned company, and that Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi outgross any Japanese actress even in the Japanese box office[1].
In China, the casting of ethnic Chinese actors caused a stir in the Chinese Internet community where some users were unhappy due to rising nationalist sentiment, especially because some mistook geisha for prostitutes. A profession similar to that of the geisha existed in imperial China, whose job it was to entertain male guests with their talents in music, Go, calligraphy, painting and other arts. However, they did not enjoy the status accorded to geisha in Japan. This was exacerbated by the word geigi 芸妓, a Japanese name for geisha used in the Kansai region (Kyoto). The second character 妓 can be understood by some to mean "prostitute", though it actually had a variety of meanings.
Some people were upset that central characters in the movie were not played by native Japanese actresses, notably that the lead role is played by a Chinese actress.
While many people are offended by the casting, Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh advocates inter-Asian acting. In a recent magazine article (Bust Magazine June/July 2005), she defends her roles as characters of Japanese (e.g. Rick) and Chinese descent by pointing out similar behavior from white actors who play European characters interchangeably:
Memoirs of a Geisha (film)
Ralph Fiennes can play an English person, a German person, a Polish person, a Jewish person. He can play anything, and no one questions him. He is a handsome, Caucasian-looking-ish man. So, to American audiences, Europe looks like that. Europe does not look like that. But that is the image we have been fed for 60 years, so we accept that. But what I have big problems with is when people put those limits on me. I just think, "Give me a fu-king break. You have no idea what I am." Because when you meet someone, you never say, "I met Joe Schmoe, and he's Irish-French." But there always has to be a quantifier or qualifier when it comes to me.
--Sandra Oh, Bust Magazine
Memoirs of a Geisha (film)
Roger Ebert has also pointed out that the film was made by a Japanese-owned company, and that Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi outgross any Japanese actress even in the Japanese box office[1].
In China, the casting of ethnic Chinese actors caused a stir in the Chinese Internet community where some users were unhappy due to rising nationalist sentiment, especially because some mistook geisha for prostitutes. A profession similar to that of the geisha existed in imperial China, whose job it was to entertain male guests with their talents in music, Go, calligraphy, painting and other arts. However, they did not enjoy the status accorded to geisha in Japan. This was exacerbated by the word geigi 芸妓, a Japanese name for geisha used in the Kansai region (Kyoto). The second character 妓 can be understood by some to mean "prostitute", though it actually had a variety of meanings.
no offense but japanese actresses suck at acting. they're all about the acting all virginal and cutsey and generally, you can't really find actresses in japan who can speak english well. but pumpkin was a good actress. i didn't know her english was that good.
its cuz Japanese are hella dumb. They can't act for $hit. So sad that chinese have to act japanese lol. Maybe ignorant Japanese should learn the language and stop doing av movies.
QUOTE(minizero @ Sep 5 2006, 06:36 PM) [snapback]2262991[/snapback]
Why the movie "Memories of Geisha" about Japanese culture has all the Chinese being in the movie?? I mean, even the main character and 2 other sub character Gong Li and the other chick from 007. Why can't they just use Japanese to play a movie about Japanese culture.
youre not japanese, so you shouldnt really care
too many anti-jpnese chinese folks in asiafinest. c'mon folks. where is the luv?
the love is in my pants.
QUOTE(kunomchu @ Sep 5 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]2263715[/snapback]
its cuz Japanese are hella dumb. They can't act for $hit. So sad that chinese have to act japanese lol. Maybe ignorant Japanese should learn the language and stop doing av movies.
you have some extreme tactics kunomchu.
Well it ain't the Japaneses' fault that kunomchu likes to wank to J av. Admit it. You like it. ^_^
QUOTE(kunomchu @ Sep 5 2006, 09:22 PM) [snapback]2263715[/snapback]
its cuz Japanese are hella dumb. They can't act for $hit. So sad that chinese have to act japanese lol. Maybe ignorant Japanese should learn the language and stop doing av movies.
hahaha... nah... I don't mind that they keep doing their av stuff
but I agree that they had Chinese actresses play geishas cuz few Japanese actresses can speak intelligible English.
the part of Sayuri was actually offered to Kim Yun-jin, the korean lady who plays in the ABC Show Lost, her English is really good since she grew up in N.Y. dont know why she declined the offer...
There aernt alotta japanese actresses in hollywood or japan who speak english well so the directors just grabbed up asian people. its not like they can tell the difference rightt
There aernt alotta japanese actresses in hollywood or japan who speak english well so the directors just grabbed up asian people. its not like they can tell the difference rightt
QUOTE(Ino @ Sep 6 2006, 06:47 PM) [snapback]2265892[/snapback]
the part of Sayuri was actually offered to Kim Yun-jin, the korean lady who plays in the ABC Show Lost, her English is really good since she grew up in N.Y. dont know why she declined the offer...
Thankfully.
QUOTE(Takashi @ Sep 6 2006, 01:48 PM) [snapback]2265895[/snapback]
Thankfully.
why do you say that
that zhang girl was a terrible actress, half the time i was like 
is she trying to say?
QUOTE
While many people are offended by the casting, Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh advocates inter-Asian acting. In a recent magazine article (Bust Magazine June/July 2005), she defends her roles as characters of Japanese (e.g. Rick) and Chinese descent by pointing out similar behavior from white actors who play European characters interchangeably:
Weak excuse. "White people do it so lets do it too!!" She needs to stop with that $hit. Anyway I dont think any Japanese actresses would have done a much worse job than Zhang Ziyi. Who personally I'm sick of fu-king hearing about like she's some special $hit.
I actaully like Zhang Ziyi. 
But never watch this movie nor read the book...
But never watch this movie nor read the book... QUOTE(lucky_me_noodle @ Sep 6 2006, 01:55 PM) [snapback]2265912[/snapback]
I actaully like Zhang Ziyi. But never watch this movie nor read the book...
But never watch this movie nor read the book... it was crap. i dont know why they didnt just have an all japanese cast and in subtitles for those who dont understand the lingo.
QUOTE(Ino @ Sep 6 2006, 06:50 PM) [snapback]2265900[/snapback]
why do you say that
that zhang girl was a terrible actress, half the time i was like is she trying to say?At least with her there was a sensible reason - reaching a larger audience. Yunjin.............apart from Americans most people in the west wouldnt know who the crap she was.
This book wasn't based on a true story right? 'Cause I read on book for English class umm I don't remember damnit.. oh yeah Autobiography of a Geisha: Sayo Masuda, thanks google.. 
there was a commentary about this book say it wasn't real but just a story but the life of a Geisha was base on true facts... 
I still love the Mad t.v spoofs XD geisha?
oh yeah Autobiography of a Geisha: Sayo Masuda, thanks google.. there was a commentary about this book say it wasn't real but just a story but the life of a Geisha was base on true facts... I still love the Mad t.v spoofs XD geisha?
How much older can news get?
Also, the book was not true. It may have been loosely baseed on the life of Mineko Iwasaki but was very distorted and she later attempted to sue Arthur Golden, the author of memoirs.
Also, the book was not true. It may have been loosely baseed on the life of Mineko Iwasaki but was very distorted and she later attempted to sue Arthur Golden, the author of memoirs.
QUOTE(Takashi @ Sep 6 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]2265965[/snapback]
At least with her there was a sensible reason - reaching a larger audience. Yunjin.............apart from Americans most people in the west wouldnt know who the crap she was.
zhang ziyi annoys me
QUOTE(Ino @ Sep 7 2006, 01:01 AM) [snapback]2266736[/snapback]
zhang ziyi annoys me
oh................because that would be a good enough reason to prefer yunjin in the role.......................zhang ziyi cant speak english without that frickin accent but she was still more suited.
QUOTE(Tami @ Sep 6 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]2266054[/snapback]
How much older can news get?
This topic should be closed.
QUOTE(minizero @ Sep 6 2006, 06:36 AM) [snapback]2262991[/snapback]
Why the movie "Memories of Geisha" about Japanese culture has all the Chinese being in the movie?? I mean, even the main character and 2 other sub character Gong Li and the other chick from 007. Why can't they just use Japanese to play a movie about Japanese culture.
The problem is
Not only American invite Chinese to play Japanese role!
Japanese also invite Chinese to play Japanese role!
Remember 狸御殿 ???
QUOTE(Takashi @ Sep 7 2006, 12:51 AM) [snapback]2267670[/snapback]
oh................because that would be a good enough reason to prefer yunjin in the role.......................zhang ziyi cant speak english without that frickin accent but she was still more suited.
nah im just saying that in general.
zhang ziyi isn't even hot. at least they should find a hotter chinese actress.
Next time they make a $hitty asian movie they should put in actors/actresses from that country in it. 
Its an american movie based on a book and filmed for an american audiance ... if that's not enough explanation, america as a whole are too western to be able to tell the distinct features of a chinese, japanese, mongolian, and a korean .. "if they dont know, what can hurt them?"
QUOTE(minizero @ Sep 5 2006, 05:36 PM) [snapback]2262991[/snapback]
Why the movie "Memories of Geisha" about Japanese culture has all the Chinese being in the movie?? I mean, even the main character and 2 other sub character Gong Li and the other chick from 007. Why can't they just use Japanese to play a movie about Japanese culture.
Was that movie aimed at a Western audience? They probably used more familiar names to Westerners..and the book was not even written by a Japanese person.
Although it woulda been cooler if they did use Japanese actresses......and spoke Japanese alot so it would seem more "realistic"...but then White people wouldn't like it as much..
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