it's fun getting an inside look at hollywood through my sister, sarah. sarah received an email from a director (chris tashima) she worked with (who also won an academy award for his work :). it's regarding the controversial casting of the new movie, memoirs of a geisha, that sarah also auditioned for.

Subject: Geisha movie homogenizing Asian cultures

In a message dated 8/11/04 9:34:16 AM, GGstarr231 writes:

<< Although
I am Chinese, I detest the idea that Hollywood filmmakers still feel that
any Asian person can represent any Asian culture. As we all know, that is
simply not true. >>

Hello Howard,
This is Chris Tashima. I was forwarded the above email from Gina, so I do
not know the email address of the original source. Please forward my reply back
to "Nanacy:"

To those outraged about "GEISHA" casting:
I agree that the casting of three Chinese to play leads in the upcoming
"MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA" is unfortunate. However, we must not condemn any and all
cross-cultural casting. Casting should be, in general, defined by gender and
race. Beyond that, it is dangerous for us to limit any actor to being able to
play only their culture or nationality (or age, for that matter). I am Japanese
American, but I have played Chinese and Chinese American (many times). It
was up to me, as an artist, to uphold the integrity of that culture in my
performance. White actors are not limited to playing only characters of their true
culture, or nationality. Can, would, or did anyone criticize Liam Neeson, an
Irish actor, for his portrayal of German Oskar Schindler? One example of
thousands. We as Asian Americans, must realize that this is not only acceptable,
but preferred. Opportunities are too limited, as it is, for us to place
boundaries on actors in terms of nationality. Besides being inappropriate, this
attitude stifles the artist, and our growth as a community of artists. Most of
us in the industry do NOT support placing boundaries, with respect to
nationality, in casting.

Examine the issue, and argue the proper point. If any of these women, as we
can assume from what we know of them, were not so strongly tied in our minds
to Chinese culture, especially in their language, we may not have an argument.
If they were unknowns, what would there be to criticize? As I said, I
believe it is up to the artist to portray their character's culture truthfully.
Because of what we know of these actresses, we may assume some things and have
our doubts as to their abilities to bring this "truth" to the screen. As I also
said, it is unfortunate -- I do not agree with Rob Marshall's casting
choices. However, it is because this is a very specific culture, and these actresses
have, in our minds, specific limitations. It is not because a Chinese
actress cannot and should never be allowed to play a Japanese.

I believe any talented and diligent Asian actor should be given the
opportunity to be considered for any Asian role (actually, any role - period). Of
course, it is also important for the director, or whoever is making the casting
choices, to know, or at least have some sensitivity to the culture they are
depicting, and to cast accordingly.

Apparently, the outrage should have been expressed when Rob Marshall was
selected to direct this film.

Then again, it's a White man's book, a White man's fantasy, and a White man's
studio... A White man's world.