race issues: Asians and casting

[fannishliss]

I just read two really good articles at racebending.com

The first is about Elementary and Lucy Liu's casting as Dr. Joan Watson.


"http://www.racebending.com/v4/featured/elementary-dear-lucy/"
I think she is doing a great job on the show and am really relieved that they are going to maintain the bromance aspect rather than ratcheting up the UST.  It will be interesting to see how or if race factors in with how her character's backstory is portrayed.  So far, like Supernatural's Kevin Chan, she is a really good student (she was valedictorian in med school, we learned).  Perhaps, like Kevin, her mother kicks all the asses?
The article also mentions how racist The Blind Banker looks; I really found it pretty shocking as well.
And points out the straight up use of yellowface (Sherlock in disguise as an opium user) in the second Ritchie movie. 
TBH I was also annoyed by the title of the spn ep, "what's up tiger mommy" -- it just seems so derivative and unimaginative. 

The second is about the Cloud Atlas.  I am actually pretty shocked that they put white actors in yellowface.  Hugo Weaving?  He is good and all, but wouldn't it have been better to actually cast an Asian actor?
 http://www.racebending.com/v4/blog/cloud-atlas-conversation-yellowface-prejudice-artistic-license/



I guess we make some tiny step forward just by using the term "yellowface" (comparable to black face), by learning of its history (not just the Talons of Weng Chiang), and by being dismayed that it is still so common.  There are plenty of actors with Asian heritage.  Why not use them? 

Comments

[elliemurasaki.livejournal.com]

FYI, using 'lame' to mean 'pathetic' or 'something wrong with' or the like is insulting and demeaning to people with mobility disabilities. Not your intent, I know, and I agree wholeheartedly that Tiger Mommy is not a good choice of title, but pick a different word to express your displeasure, please?

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

Good point. I have not progressed since high school, I see. I will change.

[elliemurasaki.livejournal.com]

It is not at all an uncommon mistake to make, and it is an incredible relief to discover someone who accepts correction on this point gracefully rather than going 'you're the only one with a problem with it!' and 'but it doesn't mean anything to do with disabilities anymore!'. Thank you.

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

I appreciate being corrected. There are many ways to use English. I don't need to limit myself by using words that hurt someone! Least of all, who I like very much. :)

[downjune.livejournal.com]

It seems to me that TV is pulling out ahead of Hollywood in getting their shit together with more diverse casts. The good-old-boys club in Hollywood still seems to think that audiences don't want to hear from anyone other than a white protagonist. And before this election season, I would have said give us a bit more credit than that. Now, I'm not so sure we deserve it. :/

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

In one sense I can understand the yellowface in Cloud Atlas, in that they are trying to cast the same actors in each of the four time periods -- so the shocking image of Hugo Weaving made up to look Asian, is explained in that he has a role in each of the four scenarios, just as all the actors do. .... In another sense though, it is important to keep a critical distance, especially when, as the article points out, three quarters of all lead roles go to White Males.