On 'Geisha' controversy, Zhang Ziyi says unfair to mix
art and politics
HONG KONG -- Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi said Tuesday it's unfair to
filmmakers when art becomes mixed in with politics, as she
commented on the backlash against her role in the Hollywood film
"Memoirs of a Geisha," which China did not release.
The sight of Chinese actresses playing Japanese entertainers in
"Geisha" stirred worries that the film would offend Chinese
viewers, many of whom are still upset over Japan's World War II-era
war atrocities in their country.
The Chinese government decided not to screen the movie in theaters
in the country.
Asked by The Associated Press about the controversy, Zhang said:
"You can't turn this into an ideological matter. Art is art. It's a
little unfair to artists to link it to politics, be it the director
or actors."
"It's not really fair," said Zhang who was in Hong Kong to promote
her new film "The Banquet."
Zhang's manager tried to cut off the question, saying, "Can you not
ask about these things and just ask about 'The Banquet.' This is in
the past," but Zhang did answer.
Chinese Internet postings denounced Zhang as an embarrassment to
China over her role in "Geisha," which also features ethnic Chinese
actresses Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh as geishas.
"The Banquet" is a Chinese-language film inspired by Shakespeare's
play "Hamlet."