Kos-Read carved a niche for himself and more power to him for it. No, he wasn't the first, and yes, there are stereotypes reinforced as well as challenged, and there are stories not being told (good comments here). But the bottom line is that Kos-Read is a successful guy, smart, talented, and amiable. I got to chat with him on a long bus ride when I was an extra in a movie or TV series he was starring in about 10 years ago. Kudos. Recently I've been teaching about images of China and Chinese in old Hollywood films (not so much new ones yet), and while critiquing the stereotyping, sexism and taboos on miscegenation is like shooting fish in a barrel, I often have to emphasize that these are often great movies with excellent performances from their actors, and their attitudes toward East Asia, as far as they can be discerned, are sincere and openminded, even if clearly misguided and misinformed. I think contemporary Chinese film and TV has its accuracy and attitude issues in representing Western people and cultures, but having people like Kos-Read in the center of it helps them get closer to getting it right, making it human.
9
Clearly the writer doesn't know much about how a film set works (fair enough, not everyone is supposed to know). I worked on Chinese film sets, Chinese-American co-production sets and British film sets, so maybe I can clarify a few things. Young men standing around: it is very likely that they are the runners or crew of the labour-heavy lighting or grip departments, or the wardrobe crew who have done their job and now standing by on set; working on a film set always involves waiting. This is normal in both China and the West.
When I was working as a dialogue coach on a British film set, I was grabbed at the last second to play a fellow passenger of the main characters. I wasn't paid for acting either. These things happen. Spontaneity doesn't necessarily mean chaos.
As for 'no coffee of tea' on set, China is not traditionally a coffee drinking culture, and we are picky about tea and find it hard to appreciate the convenience of cheap tea bags. In fact, the national beverage in China is hot water. Everyone grew up drinking it and still loves it. But I agree that they should have been more thoughtful and prepared something for the Western actors.
Lastly, the full-size Forbidden City replica is not a result of the need for propaganda, but rather the general public's taste for dramas set in the Ming and Qing dynasties. In fact, these dramas contradict the communist propaganda advocates. I am not fan, but apparently a lot of people are obsessed with the lives of concubines.
When I was working as a dialogue coach on a British film set, I was grabbed at the last second to play a fellow passenger of the main characters. I wasn't paid for acting either. These things happen. Spontaneity doesn't necessarily mean chaos.
As for 'no coffee of tea' on set, China is not traditionally a coffee drinking culture, and we are picky about tea and find it hard to appreciate the convenience of cheap tea bags. In fact, the national beverage in China is hot water. Everyone grew up drinking it and still loves it. But I agree that they should have been more thoughtful and prepared something for the Western actors.
Lastly, the full-size Forbidden City replica is not a result of the need for propaganda, but rather the general public's taste for dramas set in the Ming and Qing dynasties. In fact, these dramas contradict the communist propaganda advocates. I am not fan, but apparently a lot of people are obsessed with the lives of concubines.
30
My memory of the reason for drinking hot water -- and this is what I was told by Chinese friends -- is that it was an indication the water had been boiled and was therefore safe to drink. People in China used used carry their own drinking vessels around as well (often a jar with a lid), for the same sanitation reasons. So, yes, even if the original reasons for the boiling may no longer be necessary, it makes sense that the habit of it would carry on.
13
It's interesting that, in speaking of the difficulties American film makers have working on co-productions with their PRC counterparts, there is no mention of the rampant bribery and trading of favors that are part and parcel to doing business in China. And there is no mention of the ubiquitous Governemnt Minder: I wonder why. Those men standing around the Chinese movie set, for instance, are as likely to be the sons of Important People (the filmmaker seeking favor or providing payback) as they are to be government minders. I could see those things being a problem for American crews. They might not know the subtleties.
When I was in the PRC in the 1980s, I -- white, blond, a tad short of six feet tall, and female -- was gawped at wherever I went. People grabbed my arm and asked to have their photos taken with me. I was seen as some sort of exotic freak. It was an unnerving experience.
When I was in the PRC in the 1980s, I -- white, blond, a tad short of six feet tall, and female -- was gawped at wherever I went. People grabbed my arm and asked to have their photos taken with me. I was seen as some sort of exotic freak. It was an unnerving experience.
6
I'd like to know what films the writer thinks "pander" or "lecture" to a Chinese audience. That was a curious statement.
5
This is a wonderful reversal of the big fish in a small pond story.
5
It's true, you can be anything you want to be if you are white in China (http://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000003652442/rent-a-foreigner-in.... This, while Asian American actors are struggling all their lives to land a role (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/23/opinion/why-wont-hollywood-cast-asian-.... There are more white privilege in China than in the US. It's no wonder Roof Dylann singled out East Asians and praised them.
5
"Not long after he arrived, he began dating a Chinese woman named Li Zhiyin, a finance major in college who later became his wife."
So true. It's so easy for white guys (and in some ways black men, as well) due to stereotypes of what men are considered 'attractive' or 'masculine'. Such men go to asia and have women basically throwing themselves at them.
So true. It's so easy for white guys (and in some ways black men, as well) due to stereotypes of what men are considered 'attractive' or 'masculine'. Such men go to asia and have women basically throwing themselves at them.
8
It's probably more got to do with white West being a status symbol in that part of the world than masculine stereotype or anything else. A club for the rich in Shanghai is said to give 90% discount to whites because having white members bestows them a prestige. Strange people, if you ask me, volunteering themselves as the second class citizen in their own countries.
4
So because the man dated a woman (a very natural thing), you consider that he had women throwing themselves at him?
7
This is reminiscent of the long career of the very American actor Roger Cudney (he looks like a cross between Ed Harris and Gerald Ford) as the gringo in Mexican movies:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1043617566424398184
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1043617566424398184
"Warm little buddies" (nuan baobao). I know them well. They're called kairo in Japanese - and the Japanese probably invented them.
4
Can he do Trump?
1
Fascinating profile. Thank you!
13
Kos-Read also follows in the footsteps of the late Jonathan Zatkin -- 舒友民 (Shu You Min) -- who played Americans and other "foreigners" in the '80s and '90s. He was not a big star, but he did make a living and was recognized on the street. He lived in Beijing, spoke Mandarin and married a Chinese woman. He was also a good guy.
I myself, who happened to be in Guangzhou in 1982, was drafted to play an American in one very short scene -- a non-speaking role. Also non-paid – but the director and I had a marvelous, riotous, drunken dinner the night before the shoot. Alas, my career did not take off. That was the last movie I made on any continent.
I myself, who happened to be in Guangzhou in 1982, was drafted to play an American in one very short scene -- a non-speaking role. Also non-paid – but the director and I had a marvelous, riotous, drunken dinner the night before the shoot. Alas, my career did not take off. That was the last movie I made on any continent.
28
Fascinating read. Thanks!
17
And how well are Chinese actors cast here? It's nice to see the Chinese have the intelligence and the empathy to write characters that are more varied than "white person." Tell me how are Asian (American or not) people cast here? Can they be the bisexual fashion designer, hip hop dancer, the alcoholic barfly, the radio announcer etc... or are they always the butt of some accent-oriented joke/or martial arts masters/exotic Asian woman? I mean is it that hard to just write a story about a person and then cast from any race/ethnicity? Why must "person" mostly mean white?
Film industries in other countries can't rise fast enough.
Film industries in other countries can't rise fast enough.
27
Foreigners are most often portrayed laughable stereotypes in Chinese productions. Intelligence and empathy for the other are in much shorter supply than in U.S. and Canadian media. I wouldn't hold out hopes of Chinese cinema riding to the rescue for open-minded and liberal values in art. Xenophobia and overarching censorship by the government are very strong influences. For example, China just banned the new Ghostbusters movie because it is too 'ghosty.'
Generally speaking, people that produce media in China are very cautious and conservative, self-censoring lest they be singled out for criticism and punished. The grass isn't alway greener.
Generally speaking, people that produce media in China are very cautious and conservative, self-censoring lest they be singled out for criticism and punished. The grass isn't alway greener.
1
A handful of non-racist/-xenophobic depictions of Westerners does make the mainland Chinese film industry progressive. Call me when Tibetans and Uyghurs are given top billing and played in sympathetic light.
12
...and along similar lines, notice how often in American TV/film/ads you see Asian (male) actors, and whether or not they have a love interest, and what that love interest might look like. Then compare that to how often you see Asian actresses, how often they are shown with a love interest, and what their partners look like.
There's a world of difference in how often Asian male vs female actors are employed in the U.S., and then how they are depicted, and with whom they are paired up.
There's a world of difference in how often Asian male vs female actors are employed in the U.S., and then how they are depicted, and with whom they are paired up.
3
He's famous throughout the mainland? So, not so much on Hainan Island?
1
This is great. Thanks for the article. I had no idea.
22
Kos-Read follows in the footsteps of Rachel Dewoskin, the young American woman who stumbled into playing a major role in a major Chinese soap opera during the mid-1990's. it was called "Foreign Babes in Beijing". Later, she wrote a wonderful book about her adventure called "Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China". As the show was regularly broadcasts to over 500 million Chinese viewers, Dewoskin became considered a sex symbol there. She left acting for a career as an author who has had three novels published.
32
Love her work!
8
Her father, Ken DeWoskin, was scholar of Classical Chinese music and philosophy, a Professor a Chinese language and literature at the University of Michigan, and helped the State of Michigan establish formal business ties in China. Perhaps these actors had different introductions to Chinese culture!
4
@ SEF I worte a comment here about my friend Jonathan Zatkin (舒友民) who acted in Chinese movies in the '80s and '90s. His stepfather -- an enthusiastic Communist who fled from America during the McCarthy years -- and whose name escapes me at the moment -- was sports editor of Beijing's China Daily for many years. Jon grew up mainly in the States. . . Ah! Julian Schuman -- that was his father's name. The Americans and English who lived in Beijing through the 50s, 60s and 70s were an interesting lot -- small in number but large in character (both good and bad).
1
Calling himself Cao Cao seems a bit like calling yourself the Cardinal Richelieu out of the Three Musketeers; sure, he's an important and potent figure, but he's not exactly someone held up as a model to be emulated. It's an interesting choice that I'm not sure Kos-Read explored in detail but the article was a little too fluffy for that sort of analysis so it's an intriguing enigma.