OPINION> Raymond Zhou
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OPINION> Raymond Zhou
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It's only make-believe
By Raymond Zhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-03 10:24 Should Tian Liang play the role of Lei Feng?
 OK, let me rephrase it. Should a pretty boy with star quality from the sports and entertainment business impersonate an enshrined figure with layers of political connotations? Tian Liang is a world champion in diving. Or he used to be, before he was kicked out by the national team for not obeying its strict rules and running around the country cashing out on his celebrity status. He also knows how to grab media headlines by flaunting his romance with a pop singer in front of paparazzi. He has a mega-watt smile and was wooed by the entertainment industry even before he quit diving. But his acting-singing career has not taken off as expected.
As for Lei Feng, he was an ordinary soldier from the 1950s-60s, tragically killed in an accident but later glorified into sainthood, and is now primarily known for his Good Samaritan altruism. He has been made a role model for school children for the past five decades. The announcement of Tian being cast in the upcoming biopic of Lei Feng was met with derision, not because people doubt Tian's acting ability (like I do), but because Tian seems to embody everything that is the opposite of Lei. Tian is not known for obedience, but discipline guided Lei's life; Tian would break rules to make a fast buck, but Lei gave his meager savings to help the needy; Tian is materialistic, while Lei aspired to something spiritual. But they are both cute as hell and not very tall. (Actually, Lei Feng was famous even before his untimely death, so a barrage of photographic evidence remains, testifying to his exemplary services and cuteness.) A short while ago, a similar scandal flared up, involving much bigger names. People were dumbfounded when it was revealed Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat was to play Confucius. I could almost hear the griping: "But he is from Hong Kong and cannot speak fluent Mandarin and used to play triad members!" and "How can he play an ageless saint? Blasphemy!" A decade ago, the target of denunciation was Leslie Cheung, another Hong Kong star, when he was cast in the role of an underground Communist agent in 1930s Shanghai. Cheung's image was considered so "bourgeois" few believed he could carry off the role of a noble Communist when facing the death squad. But the director persisted: Cheung had box-office clout beyond the mainland.
Some people seem able to extract an unusual amount of pleasure from dissecting casting choices. Granted, entertainment news is always good fodder for gossip, but the vicarious joy here in China goes beyond water-cooler conversations. Casting for movies and television shows has become a classic power game. A few years ago, people were enamored with the unknown actress victimized on the casting couch. Now, the same people cannot help putting themselves in the chair of the casting director, suggesting fit-as-a-glove choices and shooting off ones that don't fit the norm. |
