As a Japanese American, I find myself it a particularly unusual position regarding stereotypical racial expectations. As this world becomes more and more genetically mixed, our world becomes more global, such distinctions and nuances are something that we need to get behind us.
As a Japanese American I'm more than a little surprised at your opinion. It might hold true if the film was set in current times but this is set during early to mid 20th Century.
Although I have admiration for the actresses involved, I feel it is deeply insulting to the more than capable Japanese actresses who could have easily fitted the roles. The only reason these actresses were used was because they are slightly familiar to Western audiences whereas very few (if any) Japanese actresses are. Was there any reason why they couldn't use Japanese American actresses?
Personally I've had more than enough of seeing fine actresses and actors playing nationalities that they obviously are not, this is one World and there's no reason these days why people of the right nationality cannot be used. If Hollywood had its way we would probably still have Indians, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese etc played by white performers, just like the good ol' days.
What may be disconcerting and detracting to American viewers would be the apparent male envy of older men having an such attraction and accessibility to young females. Unfortunate or not, without judgment, that is the way is was and may still be.
Here you are literally kicking yourself in the teeth, above you talk about globalisation as a reason to dismiss the casting but then you discuss something that was and is a particularly Japanese nuance, you can't split hairs on this, pre-war Japan had very few foreigners and very little in the way mixed relationships, a full Japanese cast would have reflected this. So you have to decide what you want, something that feels and looks right or the complete "Hollywood" fantasy/phoney, as they say "You can't have your cake and eat it."
Having read the book I have agree that Ken Watanabe is perfect for his role, I couldn't think of anyone more suitable, in fact I pictured him in the role whilst reading the book.
Cheers Trev
Last edited by trevor826; 01-11-2006 at 10:09 AM.
The more I learn the less I know.
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