I recently came across an advertisement for the movie adaptation of the bestseller "Memoirs of a Geisha".
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808405115
It looks interesting and like it will be a good movie, but I noticed that while all the male leads will be played by Japanese actors, all the female leads will be played by Chinese????? Granted the movie will be in English and will cater to a Western audience, but I couldn't help but wonder why they couldn't find any Japanese actresses, surely that would make the movie more authentic? It's something I can't help but take notice of, it seems that they almost always use Chinese or Koreans to portray Japanese or Japanese that were obviously raised overseas. Aich, remember that Samurai with the Aussie accent?
Maybe Japanese women aren't as talented or versatile??? Or maybe they just can't find any Japanese women who speak enough English? The closest I can think of to a Japanese actress in Hollywood is Devon Sawa, but she's only half and she's more of a model than an actress. There are several Korean and Chinese actresses who have managed to break into movies, but no Japanese, at least that I've noticed.
I suppose most people wouldn't notice the difference between Japanese and other Asians, but to those who do, it can be very annoying. That was one reason why I was so impressed with the movie "The Last Samurai", they used Japanese actors and you could tell that Tom Cruise actually had some idea of what his Japanese lines meant, whereas most actors simply rattle off strings of syllables that were obviously memorised sound by sound.
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Yessss! The Japanese Aussie is still stored in my brain for times when I need a really good laugh.
As, um, interesting as it is that a Chinese woman is playing the Geisha's part, I will still have to see the movie... I didn't know they were making one.
I have just been to China and I am having a hard time imagining a Chinese woman playing a Geisha. You know what I am talking about, Jo.
But then that's what acting is all about.
They've got Zhang Ziyi playing the Geisha, and Michelle Yeoh playing her geisha mentor, as well as Gong Li playing the nasty geisha. Those happen to be the only three Chinese actresses that I'm already somewhat familiar with. It's like they picked the three most famous Asians they could find and stuck each with a role in the movie. The thing is, I don't think that Michelle Yeoh fits the standard for Japanese beauty, you know perfect oval face, etc..., her face is too angular.
My sister auditioned for Japanese women, now that's a slap in the face that they couldn't even find 1 japanese woman who could act. Lame, not that I've personally seen any really good japanese actresses.
Well, I really like Zhang Ziyi, so that's forgiven. I can't wait to watch it now.
who's devon sawa? From what I remember, he's the guy who played the human Casper.
Oooops, you're right Devon Sawa is the boy from Casper. I meant Devon Aoki. She was in 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Sincity.
I think her dad is Japanese, but she was raised in the States, she has a very Japanse look to me though, especially if she wore her hair darker. Aich, I like Zhang Ziyi too, and seeing the trailer, I think she is a good fit. She's an amazing dancer and brings a great sensuality to the role that I don't think a Japanese actress could pull off. I didn't think Michelle Yeoh was a good cast though, she's a good actress, but I don't think she fits the part.....I really can't see her as a geisha. But it might turn out alright, just have to wait to see the movie.
Yeah, I'm all curious now.
You're right, Jo, she really does have that look. She looks more Japanese than a lot of Japanese I know. Is she really half? She barely looks it.
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