My letter is signed, stamped, and in the mailbox. I'm not as up in arms about this as most people, I think, but I know if it doesn't change I'm not watching any of his movies that follow, either. He's got kids, he should be putting his foot down and demanding the movie preserve the multiculturalism of the show. :|
I agree that they should've used Asian actors, I think not doing so is offensive. But this here: Kids don't want to see anything. I mean it's an anime. The characters have extremely Caucasian-esque features. Kids are going to expect to see something like that when they hear "IRL AVATAR MOVIE!", want to, because that's what the show looks like, and I really wouldn't think that's wrong of them. Not to the point that they'd dislike Asian casting, but I do think it would throw a good amount of them.
But again, yes, I'm actually pretty shocked they didn't go with Asian actors, it's not as though there's a lack of them, and the main cast is all new comers anyway.
I think what she means is that kids aren't sitting around thinking, "gee, I hope when I go to see that Avatar movie that all the characters are white!" despite the popular Hollywood conception that for anything to sell it MUST BE WHITE. Kids (and read this as "white kids", because that's the target audience apparently) do not literally and coherently WANT the characters to be white. And if we're going on the idea that kids want to see an exact representation of the cartoon, well, they're going to be disappointed by the bleached skin of the Water Tribe, that's for sure.
The characters have extremely Caucasian-esque features.
I disagree. Asians have as many incredibly diverse and variant facial features as Caucasians, so the ATLA kids imo indeed look Asian. All of them. Added to the fact that they are in an Asian-fantasy world, I don't really see why logically then Aang is an Asian child. Asian people with pale skin do exist, and all kids have eyes like melons.
I do think it would throw a good amount of them. If it does throw them off, then good! If a kid is surprised to see that Aang is played by an Asian kid, then let them realize that white people aren't the only people who can populate a fantasy world.
On top of that, PoC kids deserve to see PoC actors in a big movie for once - especially if it's SO HEAVILY ASIAN INFLUENCED and especially if it's a surprise for them as well. It still throws me off (albeit delightedly) to see an Asian PoC in a non-stereotyped role on TV/in movies
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Hey, Glock! You should read this, because this guy has my constant respect and admiration, and he can likely fuel your arguments. I'm all for fueling sound arguments. ;)
*hugs* Keep gettin' the word out. Nothing is final until they start shooting. :P
That is brilliant, thanks so much for the link!! It's given me another way to resolve some of the reactions going around, for which I'm very happy. I want to say something to tablesaw other that "FUCK YEAH", LOLOLOL! Must think on it - I've added the link to my previous post of awesome rants posts. *hee*
I remember wondering why people were called black and white when they were obviously varying shades of brown and pink. You know, hearing that now, it sounds beautiful. But really, I remember thinking exactly the same things.
And man, did I pick a wrong time to letter-campaign or what? Christmas season?! Whoops, five THOUSAND MAIL LOST, OH WELL!
Can I add in the letter I want them to remove M.Night and put him somewhere far far away from anything resembling Avatar canon? *shudders*
How about far away from everyone? Including his children, for informing them via casting that they should be ivory skinned, green-eyed beauties in order to be in his movie about INUIT CHILDREN. GOOD JOB, M NIGHT. SELF-CONFIDENCE = YAYE.
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He's got kids, he should be putting his foot down and demanding the movie preserve the multiculturalism of the show. :|
Exactly. EXACTLY. *enthusiastically shakes your hand*
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But again, yes, I'm actually pretty shocked they didn't go with Asian actors, it's not as though there's a lack of them, and the main cast is all new comers anyway.
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I disagree. Asians have as many incredibly diverse and variant facial features as Caucasians, so the ATLA kids imo indeed look Asian. All of them. Added to the fact that they are in an Asian-fantasy world, I don't really see why logically then Aang is an Asian child. Asian people with pale skin do exist, and all kids have eyes like melons.
I do think it would throw a good amount of them.
If it does throw them off, then good! If a kid is surprised to see that Aang is played by an Asian kid, then let them realize that white people aren't the only people who can populate a fantasy world.
On top of that, PoC kids deserve to see PoC actors in a big movie for once - especially if it's SO HEAVILY ASIAN INFLUENCED and especially if it's a surprise for them as well. It still throws me off (albeit delightedly) to see an Asian PoC in a non-stereotyped role on TV/in movies ( ... )
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*hugs* Keep gettin' the word out. Nothing is final until they start shooting. :P
J
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YES. YESSSSSSSSS. GAAAAAAAAAAA IT'S ALL SO TRUEEEE.
And thank you for the link, sweetie! *mwah* You're the bestest.
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You know, hearing that now, it sounds beautiful. But really, I remember thinking exactly the same things.
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(The comment has been removed)
And man, did I pick a wrong time to letter-campaign or what? Christmas season?! Whoops, five THOUSAND MAIL LOST, OH WELL!
Can I add in the letter I want them to remove M.Night and put him somewhere far far away from anything resembling Avatar canon? *shudders*
How about far away from everyone? Including his children, for informing them via casting that they should be ivory skinned, green-eyed beauties in order to be in his movie about INUIT CHILDREN. GOOD JOB, M NIGHT. SELF-CONFIDENCE = YAYE.
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