Experimental until stated otherwise. - Yes, it is a race issue.

Yes, it is a race issue.

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Yes, it is a race issue.

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Dec. 17th, 2008 at 8:31 AM

Hollywood decides to recast Asian and Inuit characters with white actors in the live-action adaption of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I wasn't going to talk about this because honestly it isn't anything new for Western media to bypass anyone that isn't white. However, it is really fucked up that they would purposely recast the whole cast as white when the series itself made it very obvious that its leads were of Asian (mostly Chinese) and Inuit descent. That's all I'm going to say about it, in the meantime

ciderpress have an awesome post on the issue.

During our early Christmas dinner this weekend, the oldest of the nephews, who is 13, brought up the subject of the incredibly white child actors that had been picked for the film version. The three of them were confused and disappointed but unable to articulate exactly why. Then the youngest, all of 7 years old, asked me whether this meant that he couldn't be Aang when he played Avatar with his friends from now on.

ciderpress

Also,

glockgal have an awesome post about the most commonly-seen kneejerk racist responses. Read it if your automatic response to this post is 'It isn't a big deal'.

So, yeah, anyone that thinks whitewashing the cast is OK and acceptable because it isn't a big deal please don't talk to me about it. There is such a thing as healthy argument/discussion than there is pressing on my hot buttons that set my wrath upon you. Or in other word, scream it in your own little fucking corner.

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reshelved.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 17th, 2008 02:22 am (UTC)

It does seem like a new thing to me. I mean, we remake Asian movies with white casts (Infernal Affairs, pretty much any Japanese movie that sounds interesting at all) - but there are two differences there. One - we do the same with movies from (e.g.) Sweden, and with English TV (and, apparently, Kath and Kim); two - there's no guarantee that there'd be a decent-sized audience if we just dubbed/subtitled them and showed them in the US.

Avatar is an American cartoon that already has an audience. A large enough audience to inspire a movie! I don't have much sympathy for it at other times, but surely the "change it for the market" argument is completely void in this case. People already know what they're going to watch, and they already like the characters as they are. & I'm pretty sure there are enough Asian kids in California who'd want to act that they could cast one movie.

Then the youngest, all of 7 years old, asked me whether this meant that he couldn't be Aang when he played Avatar with his friends from now on.
:(((

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naanima.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 21st, 2008 03:09 am (UTC)

People already know what they're going to watch, and they already like the characters as they are. & I'm pretty sure there are enough Asian kids in California who'd want to act that they could cast one movie.

Exactly! I honestly don't care when Hollywood remake a movie or a series or whatever based on an original text that was made in another country. It is what every country do. But when a cartoon series that is made in the States whose creators have repeated stated that their main influence is Asian culture and that its main cast is Asian and/or Inuit, and the audience accepts that, the whole thing just makes me go GRRRR!.

And yes, the poor kid.

Also, will you be working by any chance on Monday or Tuesday? I'll be around in the city on one of those days. We can have food or coffee!

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reshelved.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 21st, 2008 09:44 am (UTC)

Definitely. I hope they see the error of their ways. If it just got cast or if those choices are just preliminary, it's still possible to change their minds & get it done right.

Also, will you be working by any chance on Monday or Tuesday?
Yes, I will! I work 1:30 Tuesday, & was already planning to come in early to eat lunch. When are you in?

BTW, nice journal layout. :D I can't read your TSCC posts as I'm still only halfway through the first season (is it on TV here?), but it is awesome! I should have listened to my brother about it months and months ago.

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naanima.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 21st, 2008 10:37 am (UTC)

Awesome! I need to do some Christmas shopping on Tuesday and meeting the boyfriend in the evening. So, lunch Tuesday would be great! When were you thinking of getting to the city? Where do you want to meet up? I mean we can always just meet up at Borders and go from there. I have no idea what you look like now, so, this out to be interesting.

I just did today! I LOVE this show so VERY MUCH! LOVES IT SO! I have no idea if it is on TV or not. I don't tend to want Australian TV. Yes, you should have listened to your brother. The series is just awesome cakes all the way!

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reshelved.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 21st, 2008 11:12 am (UTC)

No idea - 12pm? Meeting at Borders is a good plan; I'll be lurking and looking suspicious, but there could be hundreds of people matching that description in the city this time of year.

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naanima.livejournal.com wrote:

Dec. 21st, 2008 12:31 pm (UTC)

Awesome. 12pm at Borders will be good. I shall phone you once I reach the book store. That should hopefully make life easier.

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