They all look the same...

[Mark Mays]

Surely name recognition plays a significant role. Notice that two of the stars were also in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." That will surely be on the poster ("With the stars of Crouching Tiger . . .")Then again, since Madonna was once in consideration for the lead, this is surely a step forward.

Not being familiar with the novel, I wouldn't hazard a guess at proper casting myself. However I hear Fujiwara Norika is desperately seeking some tinseltown juice. :)

Speaking of Japan/Hollywood connections, I got a great quote from Oshii Mamoru on his film's influence on "The Matrix." He hasn't seen the sequels, but he thought the previews looked a lot like Dragonball.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JAG 
  To: KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu 
  Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 11:30 PM
  Subject: Re: They all look the same...


  I wouldn't give up hope that there might be something of interest besides the sideshow. 

  A Kyoto friend who's becoming something of an expert on geisha, spent about a week in July helping Rob Marshall and a small crew scout Kyoto locations and somebody from the art department buy properties (hair ornaments, jewelry, etc). My friend said he was especially struck by the 'eye' of the buyer and the command Marshall had over his crew, seemingly largely due to his earnestness. 

  He also said that the plan is to only shoot in Kyoto for about two weeks some time around November.

  It is sad that so many of the Japanese roles are not being played by Japanese. I would be interested to hear other members' speculation why this is so. Is it just name recognition? 

  Anyone care to offer their propositions for Japanese actors to fill the roles?

  John 

  Update on myself: Last year I learned of the list while getting an MA in Film Studies in Dublin. (Thanks again to all who helped in my reseach.) I'm now teaching mainly eikaiwa at Kyoto area universities, trying to do more with Film Studies and hoping to at least dabble in production. (Until I fill out my schedule, I'm also putting the experience gained in Ireland to good use, working in an Irish Pub in Gion, through which many interesting characters pass. Stop in if you're in town and I'll pull you a pint.)


  On Aug 29, 2004, at 7:49 PM, Mark Mays wrote:


    Yeah, did you expect any more from them? On the other hand, maybe some great controversy will erupt from it all and provide some interesting side show.

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Mark Nornes 
    To: KineJapan 
    Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 7:40 PM
    Subject: They all look the same...

    A few years ago, Spielberg was interviewed in the midst of preproduction for Memoirs of a Geisha. The reporter describes costume designs for the film's kimono spread out over a table, and admires all the elaborate images of dragons decorating the costumes. Ever since that moment, I've been looking forward to how cheesy the final film would be. Looks like I won't be disappointed. The dragon motifs foreshadowed the casting: Watanabe Ken will be joined by Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, and Li Gong. 

    Markus
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