We Are Chinese if You Please...

With all the world (and blogs <-- including mine) abuzz with the whole James Frey thing, it seems that NO ONE has picked up on a semi-interesting issue regarding the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha." Let me just say that I LOVED the book - probably one of my favorite all time books. I have NOT seen the movie, however, namely because I can't even tempt my dear huz into going, and well, the casting pisses me off.

Casting, you say? YES! Am I the only one who thinks it's totally ridiculous that they cast Chinese actresses for the main characters? Well, obviously, not since Ken Watanabe spoke out against critics (lots of 'em, apparently) who said the same thing. Apparently it doesn't matter your ethnicity, as long as you have talent... (HUH??)If you don't know anything about the book, or about Japanese culture, then well, a Geisha and the book, is JAPANESE. Michelle Yoeh and Xhang Xhi are CHINESE.

So, what's the big deal, you say? I mean, the movie is in English - it's not like they are speaking Japanese. YES, but it's the whole "well, they are Asian looking and they act well and people know them, so we'll cast them in this movie." Okay, fine, if it's a Love Story or some "airy" flake-o movie, but this movie is TOTALLY ABOUT Japanese CULTURE... Are there no actresses in Japan? Did they really think that Michelle and Xhang were that big of box office draws - like Brad Pitt and Angelina? - Honestly, they should have just cast her - don't Geishas wear all that white makeup anyway *insert sarcasm here."

AND, as a Chinese American, I have to say that we, as a culture in itself (separate from Foreign born Chinese, like my ancestors) have worked hard (especially in this country) to explain to others that all Asians are not the same thing... There are many ASIAN countries and we are all different. We speak different languages, eat different foods... you get the picture.

Thing is China and Japan didn't always get along. And because most people think an Asian is an Asian - they don't know that. Korea and Japan didn't always get along either. It wasn't all 'hunky-dory' over there in the big country of slanty-eyed folks (I say this proudly with my slightly slanty eyes open as wide as possible). So, I wonder, how many Japanese folks are pissed off about this? Hell, I'm Chinese and I think it's a travesty.

Now that I got that off my chest, I'm going to go finish up my calculus puzzles, play my violin (heh, I actually do play that), cook up my dog for dinner, and well, just perpetuate as many Asian stereotypes as I can.

Comments

[marshaTM]

Well put. I couldn't agree with you more. As a Japanese American, I was appalled at the casting and it really put me off seeing the movie.

On a somewhat unrelated note, my 7-year old daughter (who is half-Japanese) up until two years ago, thought she was half-Chinese, as she would proclaim loudly to anyone who would listen, "I'm half Chinese! Like Mulan!" The power of Disney.

On another somewhat unrelated note (don't worry, I'll stop soon) I was touched by Sandra Oh's recent SAG awards speech where she gave words of encouragement to other Asian American performers.

[knq]

Kristen -- I'm so out of it, I thought your comment was mine and I was thinking, who was I talking too LOL? Hey, I have size 10s (and I'm 5'11") when they had the auditions for the movie like 5 years ago, my friend told me to go try out - but I'm not Asian enough (JAPANESE, that is) and well, I'm HUGE. I even scare Asian people. LOL. Thanks for visiting AND posting.

Dawn: I'll have to check out that book!

Krome: You are the best Landlord -- People go visit, will you?

Izzy: Thanks for the funny reference - I was trying to think of one - and well, that's one - I'm so horrible at analogies!!!

[Isabel (Izzy)]

I haven't seen the movie but I agree with you about casting Chinese actresses for roles that are so specifically and wholeheartedly Japanese. It's like dressing up white guys to play American Indians in old westerns.

[krome.obsession]

This probably isn't the time for me to say I'd like to try dog, I love Korean pop music (actually it's the only kind of pop music I like strangely enough), I dream of being able to visit the temples upon the Kimberley river (I hope thats the right Chinese river), and I worship Japanese drifting. I'd also like to learn to speak Mandarin one day .. anyway.
I have yet to read that book but it is most defiantly on my must read list. I'm not Asian, but I'm not too impressed that they'd not only consider but would use Chinese for Japanese parts. Am I the only person who thinks they look different? No offense meant, but it's like Islanders. A Samoan doesn't look like a Fijian, but how many people would notice? But then again, with the wars held in the LotR movie how many people noticed that a lot of the warriors who were suppose to be men were actually woman? I think it's got more to do with if they can con the majority into being fooled then it doesn't matter if it's “authentic” or not.

[Dawn]

My husband ( who is Black - he doesn't even go there with the Africa American) and I will sometimes have conversations in which we use every racial sterotype we can think of...

Have you read Ego Trips "Big Book of Racisim"? I think you would like it quite a bit.

And don't let's get started on Puerto Rican JLo being a Mexican in half her films. Someone could get shanked...

[Kristen]

Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more- and it's not just because we have the same cool name. No doubt there are many fantastic Japanese actresses who could have easily tackled these roles and it just would have made for a more authentic film. I saw an interview recently with one of the leads (I believe it was Michelle) and she was all shocked and weirded out by the whole Japanese Geisha culture. But then I'm sure I would be too. I would have made a lousy Geisha- especially with my size 11 kicks...