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Show C-9 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, December 10-13, 2005 Filmmakers defend casting Park City Performing Arts Foundations Presents when you saw 'Dr. Zhivago," and her role on TV's "Lost," reportyou saw Omar Sharif, who's edly turned down a role in Egyptian-born, play a Russian, "Geisha" for nationalistic reawas that something that threw sons. you?" But the American filmmakers Gong said she chooses roles had other concerns, like star power and ticket sales. based on substance, not race. HONG KONG (AP) The "As actors, we seek roles that Zhang, Yeoh and Gong arc makers of "Memoirs of a challenge and inspire us," she somewhat familiar to American Geisha" expected to be lauded said in a statement lo The audiences. Zhang and Yeoh costarred in the box-office hit for creating the first big-budget Associated Press. Tiger, Hidden Hollywood movie with Asian "Think of all the amazing per- "Crouching actors in every leading role. formances that would be lost - Dragon," and Zhang has since Instead, they find themselves Meryl Streep as a Polish woman become the international face of defending casting decisions that in 'Sophie's Choice"; Russell Chinese cinema with roles in have inflamed historical tensions Crowe as an American in "The "Hero." "House of Flying between Japan and China. Insider'; Ralph Fiennes as a Daggers" and "2046." Yeoh The English-language film is German in 'Schindlcr's List'; became the first Asian Bond girl set in Japan and adapted from Vivien Leieh as an American in in "Tomorrow Never Dies." And the American novel. It stars •Gone With The Wind'; Sir Gong gained a devoted cult folHopkins as an lowing lhanks to her work in Chinese actresses Ziyi Zhang Anlhony "Raise the Red Lantern" and American President in 'Nixon,'" and Gong Li, and Chinese"Farewell My Concubine." Malaysian actress Michelle Gong said. Yeoh. They join several Japanese But the symbolism in "Obviously, when you make a performers, including Ken "Geisha," set for limited release bigger-budget movie, ihe more Watanabe. Friday, is powerful for many well-known the faces are. the happier the financiers are," For months, the Internet has Chinese. been filled with vitriolic debate During Japan's 1937-38 occu- Fisher said. over cultural insensitivity, and pation of Nanjing, Japanese But does casting for charisZhang has been denounced in troops killed at least 150.000 ma's sake mean authenticity is China for her starring role. The Chinese civilians and raped tens sacrificed? Marshall is quick to arguments boil down to this: A of thousands of women. point out that while he did extenmovie about Japanese culture Today, there is tension over sive research into geisha culture, should have a Japanese actress in Japanese Prime Minister realism was not his chief conthe lead. Junichiro Koizumi's repeated cern. The filmmakers, however, visits to a shrine that honors "I never intended to do this thought that would be short- some convicted war criminals, as movie as a documentary-style sighted and discriminatory. well as the territorial dispute version of the novel," Marshall Producers Douglas Wick over the Diaoyutai or Senkaku said. "It really is a fable." ("Gladiator") and Lucy Fisher, islands. In April, Chinese Some who saw the movie at its demonstrators vandalized shops Tokyo and director Rob Marshall premiere thought windows at Marshall strayed too far from ("Chicago1"), say the casting was and smashed an exhaustive, meticulous Japanese diplomatic offices reality. process that considered acting while protesting Japanese text"I felt like I was watching a ability, star power and physical books they claim whitewash the movie set in China, rather than country's war atrocities. traits. Japan." office worker Yumiko "Some Japanese actresses didJust the sight of kimono-clad Kamiyama told The AP. "I am n't even want to audition, Chinese actresses could make big Zhang Ziyi fan, which is why because they couldn't speak tempers flare: Chinese actress- I wanted to see this. But I will English and were too afraid to singer Zhao Wei is widely not be recommending it to my try to take it on." Fisher said. reported to have been smeared friends." Marshall said that when with human feces after donning a Still, anticipation for the Zhang auditioned, she immedi- shirt bearing the Japanese mili- movie remains high in Japan, ately established that she tary flag. and it has been cleared by deserved to be the star: •"Your "(Zhang) went out of her way Chinese censors. (China's Film hope as a director is that some- to portray an outlet for Japanese Bureau did not respond to quesone comes in and claims the role, desires. This is a loss of face for tions from The AP.) says 'This is mine."' the Chinese," said one posting "Most of the Japanese audiThe debate is somewhat per- on the Chinese Web portal ence who attended the premiere plexing considering that actors Netease.com. "The Chinese were of this film had positive reachave been playing characters of comfort women during World tions," Jay Sakomoto. president different nationalities through- War II, and they continue to of Shochiku Co., Japan's largest serve Japanese in modern movie distributor in Japan, said out the history of film. in a statement. "Ziyi Zhang's "'When you saw LZorba the times." Greek," and you saw Anthony Such history has created an portrayal of Sayuri was impeccaQuinn play Zorba, was that odd Asian climate so sensitive. South ble, and many people thought to you because he was Irish and Korean actress Kim Yun-jin, best she seemed more Japanese than Mexican?" Marshall said. 'Or known lo Western audiences for a real Japanese woman." Log onto www.parkrecord.com for the latest in community events, local and county news, classified ads and more. year's eve m : xs*?.-£^.w:'& •••••> ammy Award-Winning *t Family of Funtff i-^ ock in the New Year with Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril Neville f^gjp- and their musical blend of -^m: • soul, R&B, jazz, reggae, rock and zydeco. Rolling Stone says these Bayou brothers ^ "brew the tastiest music around." You'll agree. Come see why they call us Saturday. decembe ow starts at 8:00 pm tickets start at $25. •••?•• - 1 » . " Women's Clothing and Accessories Box Office: 1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City 2005 east 2700 south • 801-485-9900 435-655-3114 mon-thurs 10-8 • fri-sat 10-7 www.ecclescenter.org Announcing the opening of our new George S. & Ooltiren I>or£ Park City location ECCLES CENTER 1685 Bonanza Drive • (435) 658-4866 for the Performing Arts NOW OPEN! •',v:y. S P O N S O R E D BY ; .- Tony & Sharon Thompson, Promontory - The Ranch Club, Ann, Mac & Katy MacQuoid, Swartz Family Foundation, Thomas & Marilyn Sutton, Diane Hodge • t |