Hey! What are your thoughts on the new Great Wall movie starring Matt Damon?
I find it a bit of an interesting case because Iām all for supporting an International film, Asian director, and a film with a large Asian cast BUT at the end of the day itās just another movie that perpetuates the WHITE SAVIOR trope which we all know, hate, and are tired of.
Matt Damon seems oblivious to why his role in the film is controversial but at least he stated that he is willing to listen and is open to understanding why itās being perceived that way. Heās not denying it like Scarlett Johansson who claims that she would never take a role from a PoC yet does it for ~feminism~.Ā
This film is director Zhang Yimou (who stands by his film), this is his first American/English speaking film. I believe that in order to appeal to the Western and Asian market, it was believed that if they cast 3 Western actors in the film (Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, and Willem Defoe), it would appeal to the Western audience. His interview with Entertainment Weekly makes it clear that he knew that if he was gonna make a Hollywood movieā¦ he was gonna have to make a Hollywood movieā¦Ā
āFirst and foremost, this is an English-language film, and a Hollywood blockbuster. It was already very clear in the script phase. This is a Hollywood monster movie and needs to be made in that style. I donāt want to change that approach, and thereās no need to do that. What I really want is to bring Chinese color and cultural background to the worldwide audience through a film language that they are familiar with.ā
So I get it. I get why Matt Damon stars in this film. I donāt understand why he has to play the lead though. Wouldnāt it make sense if he played a secondary character? The other two Western actors in the film play secondary roles in the film. I donāt think Matt Damonās role should be the lead. Why does the white man have to save China? Heās only the lead becauseā¦ you know itā¦ I know itā¦ Hollywood is racist. Even though the cast is predominately Asian, do you really think it wouldāve gotten made without Matt Damon starring in it? No.Ā
But it is dope that Zhang Yimou wanted to make a film he believed was authentic to Chinese culture and he gave Asian actors an opportunity to work in the Western market but the problem is that ultimately, he sold out in doing so.Ā
Also while Iām at it, Iām just gonna rant about how racist the American marketing of this film is! This is the US poster for the film!!! How embarrassing??? Who thought this was a good idea??? Just Matt Damon??? And then it spits a few facts about The Great Wall of Chinaā¦ smhā¦
Itās like The Sapphires movie poster controversy but they donāt even show a single PoC on the American promo art Iāve seen for this film!!!!
Now look at the Chinese marketing for this film! Even the Western actors got their own individual character posters (not pictured but they did!!!). The American market does not value the Asian actors in the film because theyāre āunknownā in America. Itās insulting because these are International stars too! Just because theyāre not white or on Game of Thrones doesnāt mean they donāt have name recognition. I mean the film stars Lu Han, a C-Pop/K-Pop star who was apart of one of the biggest boy bands in the world! Andy Lau has made a name for himself in the Chinese film industry and where is his top billing on the American poster?! The American market FAILED to showcase these actors in their promo art and reduce them to unimportant characters regardless of how big or small their roles are in their OWN trailer which is absolutely disappointing.Ā
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