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The Last Airbender comes out this Friday and since I'm leaving tomorrow morning this is the last chance I'll have to talk about it before it opens.
If you frequent the Internet, you probably already know about the casting controversy. The production took a universe heavily inspired by Asian mythology, folklore and culture, a universe in which every single character was very clearly of color, and cast every main character as a white person. Later, they changed some of their choices to actors of color--but only the antagonists, arguably worsening the problem, as the conflict was then turned into heroic whites pitted against villainous minorities. Asian-American actors and all actors of color already have difficulty obtaining lead casting in Hollywood movies, and Hollywood additionally has a history of whitewashing movies. That they'd do it now, in the twenty-first century, to a story that was originally a celebration of east Asian culture is nothing short of appalling.
F-list, I entreat you not to see this movie. Actually, that's not entirely accurate. Rather, I entreat you not to financially support this movie. If The Last Airbender is a commercial success it only sends the message that this kind of treatment is acceptable. It isn't. It shouldn't be. Guys, this isn't just a silly fantasy movie. This is indicative of a widespread and pervasive social attitude towards people of color that extends far beyond just Hollywood. I believe this post says it best: if you pay to see this movie with the knowledge of the full nature of the casting controversy, you are supporting institutionalized racism, plain and simple.
Please, please do not encourage the racist sentiment this movie exemplifies by giving it your money.
As a side note, it is also getting universally awful reviews. In general, it'd be a lot more worthwhile and satisfying to just go see Toy Story 3 again instead.
If you frequent the Internet, you probably already know about the casting controversy. The production took a universe heavily inspired by Asian mythology, folklore and culture, a universe in which every single character was very clearly of color, and cast every main character as a white person. Later, they changed some of their choices to actors of color--but only the antagonists, arguably worsening the problem, as the conflict was then turned into heroic whites pitted against villainous minorities. Asian-American actors and all actors of color already have difficulty obtaining lead casting in Hollywood movies, and Hollywood additionally has a history of whitewashing movies. That they'd do it now, in the twenty-first century, to a story that was originally a celebration of east Asian culture is nothing short of appalling.
F-list, I entreat you not to see this movie. Actually, that's not entirely accurate. Rather, I entreat you not to financially support this movie. If The Last Airbender is a commercial success it only sends the message that this kind of treatment is acceptable. It isn't. It shouldn't be. Guys, this isn't just a silly fantasy movie. This is indicative of a widespread and pervasive social attitude towards people of color that extends far beyond just Hollywood. I believe this post says it best: if you pay to see this movie with the knowledge of the full nature of the casting controversy, you are supporting institutionalized racism, plain and simple.
Please, please do not encourage the racist sentiment this movie exemplifies by giving it your money.
As a side note, it is also getting universally awful reviews. In general, it'd be a lot more worthwhile and satisfying to just go see Toy Story 3 again instead.
mellow
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