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[Boogie9IGN]

Sorry if old

Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi) and the Chairman (Ken Watanabe)

Hatsumomo (Gong Li) and some girl (possibly Chiyo or Young Pumpkin)

Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi

I cannot wait for this movie. It's my favorite book of all time, and it seems to be heading in a pretty damn good direction as far as the movie.

Here's up-to-date info on the movie from Michelle Yeoh (Mameha)'s site

 

[Koshiro]

If it has Zhang Ziyi it's all good baby.

 

[Vibri]

Yeah, but I hate that they're getting an obviously Chinese actress to play such a classically Japanese role.

 

[MrCheez]

Yeeeey Zhang Ziyi!! <3 <3 <3

 

[Blackcherry]

Yeah, but I hate that they're getting an obviously Chinese actress to play such a classically Japanese role.

do she talk japanese or the movie is going to be in english

 

[Kabuki Waq]

whats the story about anyways?

action?
romance?

 

[IAmtheFMan]

do she talk japanese or the movie is going to be in english

Apparently it's in English with Japanese accents.

 

[cvxfreak]

A Chinese woman playing the geisha?

 

[Smiles and Cries]

My Ex-girlfriend's favorite book as well... I should have read it.

I will send her this news

 

[COCKLES]

It's almost all Chinese actors....

Which is shit.

I want authetic Japanese actors (not like theres a shortage is there...) in Japanese language. Should have got a Japanese writer / director to put it together to be honest. If Mel Gibson can film in Aramatic, then it shouldn't be hard to do Giesha in the country it's based tounge.

 

[sefskillz]

Should have got a Japanese writer / director to put it together to be honest.

eh, you do know the book was written by a westerner right? at any rate, i agree.. the use of chinese actors is a bit peculiar

 

[duckroll]

This isnt some Japanese classic being "mauled" by Hollywood in english in you know. It's a western novel written by a westerner about his pespective of the east. The movie being in english and starring a non-japanese cast is perfect.

 

[Kabuki Waq]

its sad but really the general public wont even notice.

 

[COCKLES]

eh, you do know the book was written by a westerner right? at any rate, i agree.. the use of chinese actors is a bit peculiar

Yeah...more reason to use a Japanese director, to curb in any Goldman inconsistancies and viewpoints that a Westerner can't appreciate.

I adore Zhang Ziyi....but she just doesn't look Japanese...the Giesha has a very specific look.

 

[ShadowRed]

Wasn't Speilberg supposed to do this movie?

 

[duckroll]

I don't get all this "it's sad!" or "we need to curb the inconsistancies and KEEP THIS AUTHENTIC!" crap. The point isn't to be authentic. You want authentic? Go watch a real Japanese movie based on a real Japanese book.

From an asian point of view here, you westerners with a fetish of everything "authentic" is hilarious sometimes. Think about it, tons of asian directors tackle movies and/or books set in america. This is the same thing, the idea isn't to be authentic it's just a western perspective on another culture. Have some pride in your own goddamn people for once and stop this nonsensical OMG IT'S NOT IN JAPANESE DOOOOOOOOMED crap. :lol

 

[COCKLES]

What and end up with another laughter fest such as Last Samurai.

 

[Koshiro]

Have some pride in your own goddamn people for once and stop this nonsensical OMG IT'S NOT IN JAPANESE DOOOOOOOOMED crap. :lol

Agreed. And come on lads, Zhang Ziyi is in it and you're complaining? WTF?

 

[karasu]

I don't get all this "it's sad!" or "we need to curb the inconsistancies and KEEP THIS AUTHENTIC!" crap. The point isn't to be authentic. You want authentic? Go watch a real Japanese movie based on a real Japanese book.

From an asian point of view here, you westerners with a fetish of everything "authentic" is hilarious sometimes. Think about it, tons of asian directors tackle movies and/or books set in america. This is the same thing, the idea isn't to be authentic it's just a western perspective on another culture. Have some pride in your own goddamn people for once and stop this nonsensical OMG IT'S NOT IN JAPANESE DOOOOOOOOMED crap. :lol

I guess 'us westerners' just have higher standards.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

Zhang Ziyi makes me want to write "Memoirs of a Boner"

 

[explodet]

Authenticity for westerners isn't THAT important... I mean, James Bond was played by a Scottish guy (Connery), a Welsh guy (Dalton), an Australian guy (Lazenby), and an Irish guy (Brosnan).

 

[sefskillz]

Authenticity for westerners isn't THAT important... I mean, James Bond was played by a Scottish guy (Connery), a Welsh guy (Dalton), an Australian guy (Lazenby), and an Irish guy (Brosnan).

given the nature of this book/film, i really find a hard time comparing it to james bond.

 

[Vibri]

I don't get all this "it's sad!" or "we need to curb the inconsistancies and KEEP THIS AUTHENTIC!" crap. The point isn't to be authentic. You want authentic? Go watch a real Japanese movie based on a real Japanese book.

From an asian point of view here, you westerners with a fetish of everything "authentic" is hilarious sometimes. Think about it, tons of asian directors tackle movies and/or books set in america. This is the same thing, the idea isn't to be authentic it's just a western perspective on another culture. Have some pride in your own goddamn people for once and stop this nonsensical OMG IT'S NOT IN JAPANESE DOOOOOOOOMED crap. :lol

Chill out Mulder.

Just because a foreigner wrote the book doesn't mean authenticity doesn't matter. The book is based off extensive travel and historical research in Japan by the author. It's lot of the book's appeal is that it's a window into ancient Japanese culture and the struggle of Geisha. It's written as an authentic story of a real person.

Many people out there who read the book, and can easily tell the difference between a classically Japanese and Chinese ethnicity would prefer to see a Geisha played by a Japanese. No need to start thumping your bible and waving the flag.

 

[Hitokage]

Well, Sean Connery played a Russian submarine captain, if you want glaring inconsistencies.

At any rate, wanting japanese actors for a japanese role, italians for an italian role, and so on is understandable, but the remark about a japanese director was just stupid.

 

[karasu]

Oh man was that bad.

The LastTemptation of Christ had disciples with Brooklyn accents

 

[duckroll]

Many people out there who read the book, and can easily tell the difference between a classically Japanese and Chinese ethnicity would prefer to see a Geisha played by a Japanese. No need to start thumping your bible and waving the flag.

I think you misunderstand. I'm not American, I'm not even a westerner. I don't live in America either. So I'm not some nationalistic bible thumping flag waving whatever. I'm simply sad that you people have so little faith or support for your OWN creative industry. The only appeal this movie has for me is that it's a westerner's window into an asian culture. To ask for this movie with perfect Japanese authenticity, supposedly only possible with a Japanese director and all Japanese actors speaking Japanese, is kinda shallow to me. Sure some people can tell the difference between a Chinese and a Japanese actress, but hey most people can tell the difference between a movie and real life too.

 

[karasu]

I'm simply sad that you people have so little faith or support for your OWN creative industry.

Do you realize how silly that sounds????????

 

[RobotChant]

Now to get back on topic: Gong Li>>>Zhang Ziyi

 

[duckroll]

Do you realize how silly that sounds????????

Oh please. It's one thing to say "damn Hollywood is full of shit, not War of the Worlds again!" and another thing to say "An American director CANNOT do this justice, we need a JAPANESE director to film this oh so very JAPANESE movie!" Don't make it sound like I'm implying that Hollywood is a wealth of creative juices just waiting to overflow into awesome movie making, but to criticize a show set in Japan simply because the director is not Japanese is just retarded.

 

[jiggle]

Now to get back on topic: Gong Li>>>Zhang Ziyi

Indeed.

 

[karasu]

Oh please. It's one thing to say "damn Hollywood is full of shit, not War of the Worlds again!" and another thing to say "An American director CANNOT do this justice, we need a JAPANESE director to film this oh so very JAPANESE movie!" Don't make it sound like I'm implying that Hollywood is a wealth of creative juices just waiting to overflow into awesome movie making, but to criticize a show set in Japan simply because the director is not Japanese is just retarded.

Wel, I disagree. Sure it's more than a little presumptious, but look at what the history of this type of film has to say about it.

Now to get back on topic: Gong Li>>>Zhang Ziyi

yes!

 

[Boogie9IGN]

Alright then, let me go down the list of things here:

Summary (by the publisher):
Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. Sayuri's story begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. Through her eyes, we see the decadent heart of Gion - the geisha district of Kyoto - with its marvelous teahouses and theaters, narrow back alleys, ornate temples, and artists' streets. And we witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup and hair; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it. But as World War II erupts and the geisha houses are forced to close, Sayuri, with little money and even less food, must reinvent herself all over again to find a rare kind of freedom on her own terms. Memoirs of a Geisha is a book of nuance and vivid metaphor, of memorable characters rendered with humor and pathos. And though the story is rich with detail and a vast knowledge of history, it is the transparent, seductive voice of Sayuri that the reader remembers.

There are plenty of Japanese actors in it. The two most important male roles, Nobu and the Chairman, are played by Koji Yakusho and Ken Watanabe, respectibly.

Spielberg wanted to direct, but ended up being executive producer.

And I did not know, but John Williams will be composing the music!

And yes, Gong Li > Ziyi, but only in those pics

 

[Hitokage]

Wel, I disagree. Sure it's more than a little presumptious, but look at what the history of this type of film has to say about it.

I dunno, I kinda liked The Last Emperor.

 

[Mike Works]

OH MY GOD A CHINESE WOMAN PLAYING THE GEISHA WHAT IS THIS TRAVESTY OH MY GOD

A BLACK PERSON PLAYING THE KINGPIN OH MY GOD

GUYS FOR SERIOUSLY MY GOD

 

[Vibri]

"I'm simply sad that you people have so little faith or support for your OWN creative industry. The only appeal this movie has for me is that it's a westerner's window into an asian culture."


You make it sound like some kind of American fantasy novel where authenticity doesn't matter.

Have you read the book? Because that's not how it's written. It's written as a first-hand account of a geisha. It's a 'fictional' biography based on years of research of a Harvard Japanese art student, who actually met and researched the culture with a real geisha.

 

[dskillzhtown]

The one in red looks pretty HAWT. I had to point out who I was talking about because of you PERVS!!! :lol

 

[duckroll]

You make it sound like some kind of American fantasy novel where authenticity doesn't matter.

I didn't say it didn't matter. I said you people are overstating the DOOOOOOOOOOMED crap. :lol

Have you read the book? Because that's not how it's written. It's written as a first-hand account of a geisha. It's a 'fictional' biography based on years of research of a Harvard Japanese art student, who actually met and researched the culture with a real geisha.

Yes, I have. I'm sorry but that's EXACTLY how it is written. It wasn't written by a geisha in Japan, now a Geisha not in Japan, it was written by an American. The point of view of the narrative does nothing to undermine that fact. An American writing from the point of view of a Geisha does not automatically make it a Japanese writing about his own culture. It is simply a westerner's interpretation of a foreign culture he has painstakingly studied.

Now tell me, how does a JAPANESE DIRECTOR in any way make the movie any more faithful to the book it is adapting from? How many Japanese directors have painstakingly studied their own cultural history in detail and know the complete ins and outs of geishas? You people are making a big deal over nothing. In fact if asian directors moving to Hollywood has shown anything, a Japanese director doing this movie would be so hard-pressed to "please" the western audience that he would start putting all sorts of cliches and unintended nonsense into the movie to make it more "authentic".

I think the word you people need to start using is not "authentic" but "respect". Is it so hard to believe that an American director can respect the work it's adapting from and the culture it covers? I don't think it's that hard to believe at all. In fact, I find that a foreigner tackling a cultural topic is usually much more detailed and respectful than a person dealing with a cultural topic of his own nationality. This is simply because the foreigner is able to look from outside the box and point out details which a local may take for granted, and simply because he is dealing with someone else's culture, he's less inclined to shrug off certain issues.

Sure the entire project might end up fucked up and stupid with a rottontomato meter of 11% but it will not be because the director is American or not Japanese, it will simply be because he was incompetent.

 

[Vibri]

Did you read any of my posts? I don't care about the director. A British author has written the greatest superhero comic book of all time (Watchmen) and a Chinese director has directed a seminal movie on British culture (Remains of the Day). Happens all the time.

But a traditional geisha - as in the book - HAS to be played by a Japanese. You might as well have Tom Cruise playing Martin Luther King.

 

[DarienA]

Did you read any of my posts? I don't care about the director. A British author has written the greatest superhero comic book of all time (Watchmen) and a Chinese director has directed a seminal movie on British culture (Remains of the Day). Happens all the time.

But a traditional geisha - as in the book - HAS to be played by a Japanese. You might as well have Tom Cruise playing Martin Luther King.

Shouldn't you be out with a protest sign somewhere?

 

[duckroll]

Did you read any of my posts? I don't care about the director.

And did you read any of my posts? I was addressing the COCKLES' nonsense about starring a full Japanese cast, in Japanese, with a Japanese writer/director. It's the entire "dooooooomed" crap I was opposing, if you don't care about the director, that's great, but it appears some people do.

But a traditional geisha - as in the book - HAS to be played by a Japanese. You might as well have Tom Cruise playing Martin Luther King.

Or the last samurai? :lol

 

[Fresh Prince]

All asians look the same to me, chinese , vietnamese, mongolian, japanese, indian you all look the same to me.
Anyway as for asian movies: no martial arts = worthless












I mean seriously next Ghandi played by Denzel Washington. Personally I would like a Japanese person's view on this.

 

[Kyouji]

But a traditional geisha - as in the book - HAS to be played by a Japanese. You might as well have Tom Cruise playing Martin Luther King.

I fully agree. Let's all write letters and petition that they get Yusuke Iseya to play the titular geisha role!

Oh, and I think Dustin Hoffman would make a better Martin Luther King than Tom Cruise, any day of the week!

 

[Vibri]

It's a western novel written by a westerner about his pespective of the east. The movie being in english and starring a non-japanese cast is perfect.

This is your first comment, which is what I was addressing.

The book is not "about a westerner's perspective of the east" - it's a fully researched, insider look at a major relic in Japanese cultural history - told in first person from the point of view of a geisha. Most people don't even realise it's not a real biography until the end of the book when the author reveals himself.

The author being a non-Japanese hardly validates Hollywood going with a famous Chinese movie star.

I've really no idea how you come to the conclusion that "a non-Japanese cast is perfect". Please do explain.

 

[duckroll]

I've really no idea how you come to the conclusion that "a non-Japanese cast is perfect". Please do explain.

 

[Kobun Heat]

I actually just read this a while back. It's pretty awesome. Especially since it was set about four blocks from where I used to live.

So are they actually filming parts of it in Gion? THAT would be fantastic.

 

[Vibri]

Bit skinny, but cute face.

Maybe J-Lo would be better suited to the part?

Glad to see you abandoned trying to back your agument up. Pics of hot women works for me. We're done.

 

[Vibri]

I actually just read this a while back. It's pretty awesome. Especially since it was set about four blocks from where I used to live.

So are they actually filming parts of it in Gion? THAT would be fantastic.

Nah, they're shooting it in Venice, Cali, by the beach. That place is so hot right now!