May 1, 2013 • 91 notes

National Film Society interviews Asian Americans about Ben Kingsley playing “The Mandarin” in Iron Man 3.

#racebending #the mandarin #marvel #ben kingsley #iron man 3 #dante basco #Dante Basco
May 1, 2013 • 346 notes • insidemovies.ew.com
New photo released of Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham, a military commander of Maori descent, in “Ender’s Game” (2013). Regarding the  moko, Kingsley says: “Every gesture in the tattoo carries family history, family struggles – it’s your past,” the actor says. “I was so enthralled. He’s in quite a contained, stylized uniform but then this wonderful face tells his warrior history.” Rackham is an important character of color in the Ender’s Game novel—and arguably the highest profile Maori character in any upcoming tent pole movie this decade. Roles like this one do not come along often for actors of Pacific Islander descent. While the role is being portrayed by an actor of color, it is hard not to feel disappointed that the production did not cast a Maori actor to play this role.

New photo released of Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham, a military commander of Maori descent, in “Ender’s Game” (2013). Regarding the  moko, Kingsley says:

“Every gesture in the tattoo carries family history, family struggles – it’s your past,” the actor says. “I was so enthralled. He’s in quite a contained, stylized uniform but then this wonderful face tells his warrior history.”

Rackham is an important character of color in the Ender’s Game novel—and arguably the highest profile Maori character in any upcoming tent pole movie this decade. Roles like this one do not come along often for actors of Pacific Islander descent. While the role is being portrayed by an actor of color, it is hard not to feel disappointed that the production did not cast a Maori actor to play this role.

#Whitewashing #Racebending #Ben kingsley #ender's game #Maori #Mazer Rackham
August 10, 2012 • 90 notes • Daily Mail
Movie about Persians has no actors of Persian descent in it, because that’s how movie studios roll.  And no, it’s not Prince of Persia 2! Just what the doctor ordered! Olivier Martinez wears Persian period dress for long-awaited adaptation of The Physician. But the long awaited adaptation of Noah Gordon’s historical novel The Physician is finally underway, with Olivier Martinez bringing some of his trademark Gallic charm to the affair. Ironically the Frenchman is actually playing a Persian named Shah Ala ad-Daula in the film, which also stars heavyweights Sir Ben Kingsley and Stellan Skarsgård. Although there are no actors of Persian descent in the film, there are some actors of Middle Eastern descent in the movie in minor roles.  

Movie about Persians has no actors of Persian descent in it, because that’s how movie studios roll.  And no, it’s not Prince of Persia 2!

Just what the doctor ordered! Olivier Martinez wears Persian period dress for long-awaited adaptation of The Physician.

But the long awaited adaptation of Noah Gordon’s historical novel The Physician is finally underway, with Olivier Martinez bringing some of his trademark Gallic charm to the affair.

Ironically the Frenchman is actually playing a Persian named Shah Ala ad-Daula in the film, which also stars heavyweights Sir Ben Kingsley and Stellan Skarsgård.

Although there are no actors of Persian descent in the film, there are some actors of Middle Eastern descent in the movie in minor roles.  

#ben kingsley #eh? #oliver martinez #prince of persia 2 #racebending #representation #the physician #whitewashing #persians