Zhang Ziyi In Memoirs Of A Geisha

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by meowmix@Nov 15 2004, 10:30 PM
And the exclusiveness of geisha culture is not just 'cloisteredness'. I don't think they're going to let a Catholic nun join a Buddhist monastery...

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I wasn't refering to the Geisha culture, but the Asian culture as a whole.
For me, the bottom line here is that she's a beautiful woman and a talented actress. I know that it might be different if I was Chinese and had been oppressed by Japan in the past, but when I'm watching a movie, it doesn't hugely bother me.
I would be just as happy if they had an Asian woman playing Gwyneth Paltrow's role in Emma, if she fit into my perception of the character. Not historically accurate, but they aren't films that are meant to start a massive ethnic debate... It's entertainment, and to me, attractive face is as good to me as another, regardless of their racial makeup. Similarly, I wouldn't mind seeing a black James Bond (no P. Diddy though!), if he was attractive and recognizable. I think that it's important to be able to move beyond the race for this genre of films and have fun with it. edit: By the way, that's what untainted babies do.

 

[meowmix]

i just think you really can't view it as "asian culture as a whole"... there's cultures within asian culture that go even deeper than just chinese or japanese. as an asian feel very strongly about this because i'd prefer hollywood to not perpetuate the stereotypes that are already so deeply entrenched in the mainstream, writing it off as 'just entertainment'.

 

[purplelucrezia]

Just to lighten up a bit, some pictures of her. Based solely on her prettiness!

And meowmix, I see where you're coming from, but sometimes it really doesn't matter in the end, to me at least. It might just be the way I see things, but honestly, she could be from like Antarctica and I would still think that she's beautiful... If it means that I'll seeing her in more movies, then thank heavens for that.

 

[purplelucrezia]

More pictures... dignified and cutesy.

 

[Kimkhuu]

 

[purplelucrezia]

In a movie from 2003, called Jasmines Blooming. Her outfit's so adorable!
The storyline's about a young girl who's trying to become a movie star.

This next one's Purple Butterfly, which also appears to be set in the past. Zhang Ziyi definitely seems to be carving out a niche for herself in historical pieces.

 

[plasticine20]

Though I really do like Zhang Ziyi, I still don't like that a Chinese actress was used to portray a a Geisha. If it were a movie not quite so focused on such a culture, I wouldn't care. But Geishas are distinctly Japanese... not Chinese. Chinese women look different than Japanese women. Hey, I'm Vietnamese and I wouldn't want to see someone of my nationality play a Geisha either when there are better options. She's talented, but she most likely got the part because she is one of the few recognizable Asian actresses seen by Americans.

Anyways, those are some lovely pics you posted, purple. She's so cute!

 

[purplelucrezia]

A bit large, but one of my favourite photographs of her. From Crouching Tiger.

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by plasticine20@Nov 15 2004, 11:18 PM
Though I really do like Zhang Ziyi, I still don't like that a Chinese actress was used to portray a a Geisha. If it were a movie not quite so focused on such a culture, I wouldn't care. But Geishas are distinctly Japanese... not Chinese. Chinese women look different than Japanese women. Hey, I'm Vietnamese and I wouldn't want to see someone of my nationality play a Geisha either when there are better options. She's talented, but she most likely got the part because she is one of the few recognizable Asian actresses seen by Americans.

Anyways, those are some lovely pics you posted, purple. She's so cute!

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Thanks- you're probably right. I'm so bad though, totally and completely biased.

 

[Misako]

Originally posted by plasticine20@Nov 15 2004, 11:18 PM
Though I really do like Zhang Ziyi, I still don't like that a Chinese actress was used to portray a a Geisha. If it were a movie not quite so focused on such a culture, I wouldn't care. But Geishas are distinctly Japanese... not Chinese. Chinese women look different than Japanese women. Hey, I'm Vietnamese and I wouldn't want to see someone of my nationality play a Geisha either when there are better options. She's talented, but she most likely got the part because she is one of the few recognizable Asian actresses seen by Americans.

Anyways, those are some lovely pics you posted, purple. She's so cute!

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I have to agree. I think they should've chosen a Japanese actress as well, but there aren't any truly recognizable ones right now here, so that wouldn't have worked, sadly.

 

[purplelucrezia]

At the press conference for the House of Flying Daggers. She's just so elegant. B)

 

[tiffany]

Originally posted by stylegurrl@Nov 15 2004, 10:16 PM
I also disagree with their choice of a Chinese woman to play the role of a Geisha. Unfortunately, this type of thing is quite common in Hollywood and it's a shame. They could have found a Japanese actree to play the role if they had tried. I guess they think that we Americans believe all Asians are the same and are interchangable. 

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that's probably true - but I do like to think that if sufficiently talented, an actress - despite her nationality - would be able to portray her character convincingly. I suppose this is sort of like my friend in Macedonia getting annoyed when Colin Farell was picked to play Alexander. She said that though they were both caucasian, the irish and macedonians don't look alike and it's just blunt generalization to assert that they do. She blamed hollywood for choosing him because he's well known, instead of being historically accurate and getting a Macedonian to play the role.

I realize that the Geisha is distinctly Japanese, and that the Japanese and Chinese peoples are of different ethnicities - but I think she's a lovely actress and would portray her character well, even if she doesn't share in the same background. It doesn't really bother me when an actor isn't of the same background/ethnicity as their character - I was at a play a week ago with an actress from Ethiopia playing Queen Victoria and it didn't bother me in the least, in fact she was superb

btw, thanks so much for the pictures purple, I love her, she is beyond gorgeous!

 

[purplelucrezia]

Brilliant tiffany! You even used that example of Colin Farrell as Alexander... Seriously, she's breathtaking and totally up to the role. That just surpasses racial barriers, or least- I believe that it should!
Not to mention that this blue and grey dress is totally lovely.

 

[purplelucrezia]

To heck with it. I really just like so much of what she wears too!

 

[sugarpea]

Originally posted by tiffany@Nov 15 2004, 11:36 PM
that's probably true - but I do like to think that if sufficiently talented, an actress - despite her nationality - would be able to portray her character convincingly. I suppose this is sort of like my friend in Macedonia getting annoyed when Colin Farell was picked to play Alexander. She said that though they were both caucasian, the irish and macedonians don't look alike and it's just blunt generalization to assert that they do. She blamed hollywood for choosing him because he's well known, instead of being historically accurate and getting a Macedonian to play the role.

I realize that the Geisha is distinctly Japanese, and that the Japanese and Chinese peoples are of different ethnicities - but I think she's a lovely actress and would portray her character well, even if she doesn't share in the same background. It doesn't really bother me when an actor isn't of the same background/ethnicity as their character - I was at a play a week ago with an actress from Ethiopia playing Queen Victoria and it didn't bother me in the least, in fact she was superb

btw, thanks so much for the pictures purple, I love her, she is beyond gorgeous!

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while i like the idea of having flexibility in choosing actors for roles, i dont see why they need to be inaccurate...an ethopian woman playing queen victoria is inaccurate and it looks stupid...especially when there are ample number of women who could play that role and play it just as well the same goes for james bond as someone mentioned before and jesus who still is played by white actors...same argument for the geisha role...and as for the argument that she at least would provide some publicity...i think the added publicity that zhang zihi (sp.?) would add is minimal...the real attraction for most is the novel itself...

 

[sugarpea]

if it isnt obvious...the last paragraph is mine....some reason it got put into tiffany's quote...sorry

 

[purplelucrezia]

I'm going to be signing off soon, I'll recheck this topic later, but-
Jesus wouldn't have even been "white," as you put it.
I think that having that flexibility makes us rethink our perceptions and helps to break down a lot of racial boundaries.

 

[meowmix]

Originally posted by sugarpea@Nov 16 2004, 01:02 AM

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certainly western audiences would be able to identify with zhang ziyi, adding to the film's marketability...but i agree that the main appeal is the novel itself...

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

Well we can't change Hollywood but what I'm hoping for is a decent representation in the movie...I know it wn't be the best since it is Americanized but I look forward to seeing it and hopefull I wont be disappointed.

My friends constantly ask me questions about Asian culture and one of which that always stumps them is Geishas...trying to look at the positive but this might be able to open up some doors to people like them

 

[meowmix]

i doubt this film will be remotely educational considering its based upon golden's novel...