Hollywood GEISHA raise eyebrows in Asia

Reuters ^ | November 28, 2005 | Hildy

[PissAndVinegar]

Honestly, the best way is to ask them. I work with people from all over the place (naturalized citizens) and enjoy hearing the stories of their homeland (and usually why it sucks compared to the USA).

Now, because I DO work with many different people, I notice differences that do allow me to make an 'educated guesses' about their country of origin.
While Caucasians have 'round' eyes and Asian tend to have 'almond' eyes but there are 200 different variations to that almond or round shape. Those variations can indicate their heritage. Some peoples have more round faces and others are more angular - this too can indicate heritage. And there is always skin tones and shades (pink, blue, yellow, brown, copper, black and so-black-they-look-blue)

It takes years of interaction and people watching to guess with any accuracy. It's best to just talk to them. But if you just want an easy way to offend any one of Asian decent, just call them a Oriental :)

[rlmorel]

This whole thing is silly.

It is a MOVIE.

It is a FICTIONAL story.

It is a STYLIZED representation of FICTION.

It was written by Arthur Golden. That doesn't sound Japanese to me.

This is a story about Japanese culture, written by a westerner.

Sorry, I just have to roll my eyes here. Nothing personal against anyone who is complaining...I just think they are wrong.

I live in Japan for 2 1/2 years. I liked it. I liked the people, but...they are Japanese, and a challenge for westerners to really understand well. They are people capable of great beauty and sensitivity, and at the same time, great brutality. I happen to like the fact that they are more or less on our side now.

If someone wants to make a stylized representation of Japan that will make westerners appreciate some aspects of the beauty of Japan, then...what harm can come of it?

Good gosh.

[rlmorel]

I remember how upset some people were because there weren't enough "people of color" in "Saving Private Ryan". Sheesh.

[rlmorel]

I LOVED that movie!

[rlmorel]

"...Hollywood's best can't touch Asia's best..."

In your opinion, right...:)

I guess it all depends on how you define "best"...

[rlmorel]

Actually, the Japanese are one of the most homogenous societies on earth. But your point is well taken...

And, what is wrong with John Wayne as Genghis Khan? Pilgrim...:) (only kidding...I have never seen it, it must have been pretty funny!)

[Clemenza]

By this argument, actors of Polish descent should never be cast in a Jane Austen movie because there were no Polish families among the landed gentry of 18th century Dorsetshire.

Don't get me started on James Cahn, George Raft, and Paul Muni playing Italian gentiles. Even Vin Diesel, who's German and Puerto Rican, played an Italian-American in "Boiler Room."

One thing you can say however, is that I have NEVER met a Cuban American who complained about Al Pacino and Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio playing Cubans in Scarface. As my pal Mike in Miami told me, Pacino was more Cuban than most Cubans in that film.

[Clemenza]

BTW: This Polish/Italian guy has been mistaken for Cuban (among other Latino ethnicities), Middle-Eastern, and Jewish. Sometimes you can't tell based on appearance.

[rlmorel]

I did okay, but...that test was difficult...I guessed the Japanese and Koreans better, but had difficulty with the Chinese.

[rlmorel]

And, you can make up for that with good acting and stereotypical behavior, if you carry it...:)

[GraniteStateConservative]

Okay, can someone tell me why they got ethnic Chinese actresses to play a Japanese Geisha?

They all look alike? ...

[Pharmboy]

Interesting you mention Scarface. My ex-boss is a Cuban-American, when I said to him that I thought Pacino's accent in that movie was awful, he said that Pacino was exactly right in his portrayal.

And, don't forget the non-Jews playing Jewish mobsters, eg., Warren Beatty (Benny Siegal), Ben Kingsley (Meyer Lansky), Alex Rocco (Moe Green in The Godfather).

[GraniteStateConservative]

[Clemenza]

Ben Kingsley (who is half-Indian, half-English) is the man of a million ethnicities. I've seen him play Ghandi, Meyer Lansky, an Iranian wannabe real estate mogul, a Chilean general, a corrupt Swiss banker and an Anglo Vice President.

Now if he could play a handicapped Armenian lesbian midget, I would be REALLY impressed.

[Tired of Taxes]

My report card score was "very bad". I got 7 correct. It said, "Obviously you can't tell them apart." LOL.

To be honest, I wouldn't have even known a couple of the people in those photos were Asian at all.

Now I want to see a test that asks Asians to tell apart different Europeans... lol. :-)

[Pharmboy]

Now if he could play a handicapped Armenian lesbian midget, I would be REALLY impressed.

I think that's his next role. The movie's called Maria Hagajarian is Really Stumped.

[Republican Party Reptile]

Then there is Anthony Quinn, the original Hollywood "generic ethnic type" :) Arab? Greek? Mongol? Italian? Eastern European Jew? nothing a good make-up pencil can't dress up :)

Or the Egyptian Omar Sharif as a White Russian in Dr. Zhivago ...

[Clemenza]

BWAHAAAA!!! You owe me a new monitor.

[Clemenza]

My favorite Mexicans in Hollywood:

Eli Wallach

Charleton Heston

[KC_Conspirator]

You both have points. It reminds of Jeremy Pivens character "Ari" in his HBO show that its Hollywood and Hillary Swank won an Oscar for playing a person with a "di**".