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By Joy Fang
It was not a good week for Beijing-born actress Zhang Ziyi.
Last Tuesday, the 30-year-old - who called off her plans to marry Israeli billionaire Vivi Nevo last Friday - came under fire from Chinese netizens for her portrayal of an alleged serial killer in the upcoming Hollywood thriller, The Horsemen.
In the film, which opens in Singapore on Wednesday, she reportedly kneels before American actor Dennis Quaid and caresses his thigh in one scene.
In another, pictures of her being "ridden" like a horse by a Caucasian male reportedly flood the screen.
Netizens claim that these roles are demeaning for a famous Chinese actress, adding that such subservient portrayals are "insulting to the Chinese", reported Lianhe Wanbao. But does her role signal a step back for Asian actors?
my paper movie reviewer Yong Shu Hoong noted: "As in actor, certain roles you take may be considered humiliating. But these roles have to be seen in the context of the movie, not as a reflection of real life."
Film critic Tay Yek Keak added that, for Zhang, clinching such a big role in a Hollywood film is a huge achievement. "But the Chinese can be very particular about negative portrayals of their countrymen, so I understand their anger," he said.
Me Zhang Wenjie, festival director of the Singapore International Film Festival, said that the issue is that, in the West, roles give to Asian actors still play on stereotypes.
Asian males are almost always gongfu master-type characters, he said.
"Most of the Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat roles are about the same," said Mr Zhang.
"There's been some progress, but there are still cliches."
joyfang@sph.com.sg
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