Movies' multicultural milestone year Feb 24, 2007
Once-faceless World War II Japanese enemies have human faces in "Letters from Iwo Jima" via actors Ken Watanabe and Kazunari Ninomiya. The anti-war film is Oscar-nominated, as are director Clint Eastwood and screenwriters Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis (who co-wrote and directed 2006's best picture, "Crash"). (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Interactive Oscars chat transcript Feb 23, 2007
" I think Spike Lee's "Inside Man" might have won more attention if it had opened later in the year -- Oscar NEVER notices movies before Labor Day. Then there's Will Ferrell's existential comedy -- Oscar always snubs comedy, as we've seen.2007-02-22 09:18:35.0 staylor10: Ken Watanabe for "Letters from Iwo Jima," Toni Collette for "Little Miss Sunshine," and Emma Thompson for "Stranger Than Fiction. " There are probably a bunch more, like Sharkia Epps for "Half Nelson" and Emily Blunt for "The... (The Morning Star)
Eastwood to receive Legion of Honor Feb 18, 2007
US actor and director Clint Eastwood (C) poses on the red carpet with Japanese actors Ken Watanabe (L) and Kazunari Ninomiya (R) as they arrive for the screening of the film 'Letters From Iwo Jima' at the 57th Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Sunday 11 February 2007. The film runs out of competition. (Monsters and Critics.com)
Movie: 'Iwo Jima' could land director in familiar territory Feb 16, 2007
Two of these officers, played by Ken Watanabe and Tsuyoshi Ihara, have lived in the United States, speak English, and - there's no other way to put it - are noble warriors. A third (Shido Nakamura) is a sadistic bully and a very loose cannon. (Juneau Empire)
'Letters From Iwo Jima' Sparks World War II Debate in Japan Feb 14, 2007
For actor Ken Watanabe, going on location for the film "Letters From Iwo Jima" was a highly emotional experience ... Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya und Tsuyoshi Ihara (from left) pose with "Letters From Iwo Jima" director Clint Eastwood Sunday in Berlin at the film's German premiere. (Spiegel Online)
South Africa: Mandela Movie Front-Runner in Berlin Feb 13, 2007
Clint Eastwood's war movie Letters From Iwo Jima starring Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Nonomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ria Kase and Shidou Nakamura gets screened out of competition in Berlin. Four films from Asia, two from Latin America and one from Israel along with a large contingent of movies from North America and Europe all compete in the Golden Bear section. (allAfrica.com)
Eastwood Movie Epic Shows Futility Of War Feb 12, 2007
The cast of Letters from Iwo Jima includes leading Japanese actors Ken Watanabe and Tsuyoshi Ihara, as well as Kazunari Ninomiya, a rising star of cinema in Japan. But Eastwood insists that the film represents his own directorial style, and that drawing on Japanese film techniques would not have been possible. (Playfuls.com)
'Lettters From Iwo Jima' (*** 1/2) Feb 11, 2007
We're introduced to several soldiers, most notably the morally despondent grunt Saigo (Japanese pop star Kazunari Ninomiya) and General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe), who is charged with overseeing the coming battle. Though there is little action during this first act, it is nonetheless fascinating to observe these desperate preparations through the eyes of the Japanese traditionally thought of simply as "the enemy," but here humanized to a nearly unbearable extent. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Interview : Gaspard Ulliel Feb 9, 2007
Including Clint Eastwood and Ken Watanabe. Star of "Ghost Rider". (Moviehole)
BusinessWeek: Academy Awards redefine foreign Feb 6, 2007
Academy Awards redefine 'foreign' - BusinessWeek Online - MSNBC.com. Academy Awards redefine 'foreign. (MSNBC -- Business)
For your consideration Jan 26, 2007
Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai") and Kazunari Ninomiya play a general and a grunt, respectively, two pragmatists trying to survive their nation's collective death wish. Eastwood's filmmaking is pared to a breathtaking simplicity here; the movie, full of ghosts, haunts. (Boston Globe -- Living)
Dreamgirls nabs 8 Oscar nominations Jan 25, 2007
Director: Clint Eastwood Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya and Tsuyoshi Ihara. Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris Starring: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslin. (Toronto Star)
Reel Talk Extra! Jan 24, 2007
The only other omission that surprised me was Ken Watanabe for "Letters from Iwo Jima", but every year fine performances are ignored. Also deserving but snubbed was Annette Bening for "Running with Scissors," but good for Djimon Hounsou to be recognized for "Blood Diamond." He lived homeless on the streets of Paris before being discovered and comes from one of Africa's most impoverished nations. (WNBC.com, NY)
After 'Flags,' Eastwood tells Japan's side Jan 22, 2007
Clint Eastwood, shown here with Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, is eager to see how his film "Letters from Iwo Jima" plays in Japan ... Eastwood cast Japanese star Ken Watanabe - familiar to U.S. audiences for his performances in "The Last Samurai," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Batman Begins" - to play Kuribayashi. (Buffalo News -- Entertainment)
Losers get to tell their story too Jan 19, 2007
" Golden Globe recognition The Hollywood Foreign Press Association thought so to. On January 16, Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima received the best foreign language film award at the 64th Golden Globes in Los Angeles, narrowly beating Mel Gibson's classic, Apocolypto. "It was a very moving experience, to walk around Iwo Jima"Clint Eastwood, actor and director The filmmaking process was in itself a feat because Eastwood, known for his spaghetti Westerns had to first convince Japanese war veterans... (Aljazeera.Net)
WHEN WE WERE THE ENEMY Jan 19, 2007
" Click to view larger picture The Japanese death toll during the Battle of Iwo Jima was three times that of the Americans. Review Letters from Iwo Jima (Out of foru) Ken Watanabe and Ryo Kase in Clint Eastwood's much-praised and awarded story of the Battle of Iwo Jima as seen from the Japanese side. In Japanese with subtitles, rated R and opening tomorrow at area theaters. Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima" is a historic American film. That is, it's about history - and it makes history,... (Buffalo News -- Arts)
Warm to January films Jan 17, 2007
Oscar-worthy performances: Ken Watanabe as a fair-minded general who admires America, and Kazunari Ninomiya as a baker who longs to get home to see his newborn daughter ... Head to the theater: Now playing, or soon playing, in theaters near you are Brad Pitt in Babel, Ken Watanabe in Letters From Iwo Jima and Michael Caine in Children of Men. (USA Today -- Life)
And the Golden Globe goes to... Jan 16, 2007
GET IN TOUCH Any suggestions, queries or gripes, please e-mail the. GIG GUIDE Check out what's hot and happening in your town, and post your own events in our. (iAfrica.com)
'Dream' Night: Jennifer Hudson, Borat Win Big At Golden Globes Jan 16, 2007
" Five-time winner Clint Eastwood, who most recently took the stage as Best Director two years ago for "Million Dollar Baby," won in the category of Best Foreign Language Film for "Letters From Iwo Jima," a look at the famous battle from the perspective of the Japanese. "I want to pay my respects to the great [actor] Ken Watanabe," Eastwood said, before quipping in response to Hudson's acceptance: "You don't know what this does for my confidence. " Eastwood released two movies this year:... (VHI.com -- Music News)
'Babel' Wins Best Dramatic Film Jan 16, 2007
" Clint Eastwood war movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" won the Golden Globe for best foreign-language film . The film, shot entirely in Japanese, is part of back-to-back movies made by Eastwood using the bloody fighting between US and Japanese forces on the island of Iwo Jima during World War Two as its backdrop. The first film in the series, "Flags of our Fathers," told the story from the perspective of US troops; "Letters," starring Ken Watanabe, was shot from the Japanese perspective. Other... (Channelnewsasia.com)
'Dreamgirls,' 'Babel,' 'Departed' share Golden Globes glory Jan 16, 2007
Eastwood, meanwhile, praised actor Ken Watanabe for his performance in "Letters from Iwo Jima," which was made in Japanese and is one of back-to-back films shot by the director about the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II.. "You don't know what this does for my confidence," quipped Eastwood. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Hollywood's new first ladies Jan 14, 2007
Best Actor Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland); Ken Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima); Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls); Adam Beach (Flags of Our Fathers); Richard Griffi ths (The History Boys) ... Best Actor Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat); Clive Owen (Children of Men); Ken Watanabe; Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson); Jeremie Renier (L'Enfant). (Guardian Unlimited)
Eastwood tells the other side Jan 13, 2007
Eastwood cast Japanese star Ken Watanabe - familiar to U.S. audiences for his performances in "The Last Samurai," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Batman Begins" - to play Kuribayashi. His story is supplemented by those of young, fictional Japanese soldiers. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Japanese star had doubts Jan 12, 2007
text size Ken Watanabe as General Kuribayashi in the World War II drama Letters from Iwo Jima ... 12, 2007 12:00 AM Ken Watanabe was wary and unsure when he first heard news that Clint Eastwood wanted to make "Letters From Iwo Jima." A companion piece to the American director and Hollywood icon's "Flags of Our Fathers" - about the World War II battle for the tiny isle 500 miles south of Japan - "Letters" would offer the flip side. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
'Letters From Iwo Jima' Jan 12, 2007
Cast: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara ... Although Flags featured no single dominant performance, Letters belongs to Ken Watanabe, who gives a compassionate portrayal of Gen. Kuribayashi, leader of the Iwo Jima defense. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Double exposure Jan 12, 2007
Neither he nor the Japanese cast, including Ken Watanabe as the U.S.-educated, stoical Kuribayashi, were deeply versed in Japanese imperial militarism, which had a strong streak of cruelty. They had quite a crash course. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Movies Of 2006: Best And Otherwise, By Kurt Loder Jan 7, 2007
I preferred "Letters," if only for the serenely commanding performance of Ken Watanabe, as the Japanese general who knows he and his men will die on Iwo, but who doesn't even contemplate not doing his duty. For all that's admirable about both pictures, though, their wan, color-starved imagery wore me down. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Michael Jackson Ends Year Homeless and in Isolation Dec 30, 2006
My other choice, in the real world, would be Ken Watanabe from Letters from Iwo Jima. It s a real leading-man role, and Watanabe comes off like the Japanese Gregory Peck. (Fox News -- Views)
Best and worst of 2006 Dec 29, 2006
7) Letters From Iwo Jima (Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya): The second (and better) half of Clint Eastwood's story of a World War II battle, with Flags of Our Fathers, this time told from the perspective of the Japanese defenders, who all were sworn to fight to the death. (Opening Jan. 12. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
The best movies of the year Dec 27, 2006
An Oscar-worthy effort by Ken Watanabe stands out in a host of memorable acting performances. 3. (Fresno Bee)
Japanese actor to play historical Chinese figure Dec 26, 2006
Japanese actor Ken Watanabe has controversially been selected to play the historical character of Cao Cao in John Woo's next big production War of Red Cliff ... Japanese heart throb Ken Watanabe has controversially been selected to play the historical character of Cao Cao ... One commentator said it will be strange to watch a foreigner playing a historic character like Cao Cao, no matter how experienced Ken Watanabe is. (Xinhuanet, China)
Director made up scenes in 'Iwo Jima' documentary Dec 22, 2006
The movie stars Ken Watanabe as Lieutenant-General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commander of the Japanese forces in the epic World War II battle. It focuses on the Japanese defenders. (WorldNetDaily)
'Letters' puts Eastwood back on Iwo Jima and back in Hollywood's awards race Dec 22, 2006
Kuribayashi, played by Ken Watanabe, came up with a unique battle plan in which he conceded the beach to the enemy, concentrating his soldiers farther inland in trenches, pillbox bunkers and tunnels from where the Japanese troops took a terrible toll on U.S. Marines. "Letters From Iwo Jima" is compassionately told through the eyes of Kuribayashi, who had studied in the United States and been an envoy there before the war, and several others, including Lt. Col. Takeichi Nishi (Tsuyoshi Ihara), an... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
'Letters' enveloped in Academy Award potential Dec 13, 2006
Eastwood says he became interested in the Japanese side of the conflict while researching Flags and decided to craft a drama about Japanese soldiers and the real Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi (played by The Last Samurai's Ken Watanabe) ... Caught in the conflict: Ken Watanabe plays the real Lt. Gen. TadamichiKuribayashi in Clint Eastwood's Letters From Iwo Jima. (USA Today)
'Anti-War Statement'... Dec 12, 2006
exec in Japan forwarded Eastwood research during "Flags" about letters written by Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi (played masterfully in the film by Ken Watanabe). Eastwood took the letters, found a screenplay through Paul Haggis ("Crash," "Million Dollar Baby") and quickly put together a whole second film that tells the story of the battle for Iwo Jima in reverse, so to speak, from the Japanese side. (The Drudge Report)
Eastwood's 'Letters' is tops in LA Dec 11, 2006
Set for release Dec. 20, "Letters From Iwo Jima" stars Ken Watanabe and chronicles the battle from the perspective of Japanese soldiers defending the island against US troops. The runner-up for best picture was "The Queen," which also earned honors for Helen Mirren (best actress), Michael Sheen (supporting actor), and Peter Morgan (screenplay). (Boston Globe -- Living)
'Letters' on top Dec 11, 2006
Set for release Dec. 20, Letters From Iwo Jima stars Ken Watanabe and chronicles the battle from the perspective of Japanese soldiers defending the island against U.S. troops ... Ken Watanabe, center, stars as General Kuribayashi Letters From Iwo Jima. (USA Today -- Life)
Eastwood's `Letters' tops critics list Dec 11, 2006
It stars Ken Watanabe and chronicles the battle from the perspective of Japanese soldiers defending the island against American troops. It comes two months after his "Flags of Our Fathers," which centers on the U-S troops seen in the legendary Associated Press photo of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. (KOLD.com, AZ)
L.A. critics pick Eastwood's 'Letters' Dec 11, 2006
06:38 AMDAVID GERMAINASSOCIATED PRESSLOS ANGELES Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima,'' the second of his two World War II sagas this year, was picked as the top movie of 2006 Sunday by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Set for release Dec. 20, "Letters From Iwo Jima" stars Ken Watanabe and chronicles the battle from the perspective of Japanese soldiers defending the island against U.S. troops. The film comes just two months after Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," which centers on... (Toronto Star -- Arts)
LA Film Critics Hail 'Letters From Iwo Jima' Dec 11, 2006
ImageKen Watanabe in "Letters from Iwo Jima" ... The film stars Ken Watanabe and chronicles the battle from the perspective of Japanese soldiers defending the island against American troops. (NBC 11, CA)
'Letters From Iwo Jima' Is L.A. Critics' Top '06 Movie Dec 11, 2006
Letters From Iwo Jima' Is L.A. Critics' Top '06 Movie (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- News)
The Envelope: NBR unveils winners Dec 7, 2006
The National Board of Review named "Letters From Iwo Jima" starring Ken Watanabe as its best film of the year. (Warner Bros. (Los Angeles Times)
Eastwood's double Oscar bid Nov 18, 2006
Letters From Iwo Jima chronicles the battle from the point of view of Japanese troops defending the island, with Ken Watanabe starring as the general in charge. Letters From Iwo Jima opens Dec. 9 in Japan, where director Eastwood has been screening it to great acclaim, Fellman said Thursday. (USA Today -- Life)
Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima" to debut Dec. 20 Nov 18, 2006
"Letters' tells the story from a Japanese perspective. "Letters From Iwo Jima" opens Dec. 9 in Japan, where director Eastwood has been screening it to great acclaim, said Dan Fellman head of distribution at Warner Bros. "The reaction has been overwhelming, more than he ever expected, and based on that conversation and the fact that the movie is ready to go, it was in the best interests of the movie to move the date up," Fellman explained. Shot back-to-back with "Flags" which opened in October,... (Xinhuanet, China)
Eastwoods Iwo Jima jumps up to Dec. Nov 17, 2006
Hiroshi Watanabe, as Lt. Colonel Fujita, far left, and Ken Watanabe, center, as General Kuribayashi are shown in a scene from the World War II drama "Letters From Iwo Jima," directed by Clint Eastwood ... Letters From Iwo Jima chronicles the battle from the point of view of Japanese troops defending the island, with Ken Watanabe starring as the general in charge. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Ken Watanabe calls Eastwood the best Nov 11, 2006
Ken Watanabe calls Eastwood the best - MORE MOVIE NEWS AND FEATURES - MSNBC.com ... Ken Watanabe calls Eastwood the best ... Chad Buchanan / Getty ImagesKen Watanabe stars in Clint Eastwood's next film, "Letters from Iwo Jima.". (MSNBC -- Movies)
The pain behind the glory Oct 28, 2006
Filmed in California earlier this year, it stars Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe as Iwo Jima's Harvard-educated Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a man Eastwood has described as "quite an interesting guy". But standing above all the politics is the likable, irrepressible Beach, whose portrayal of the haunted and confused Ira is the movie's outstanding performance. (The Australian)
Hawaii film fest feels the 'Love' Oct 28, 2006
Sans thesping awards per se, fest presented a special achievement to Japanese actor Ken Watanabe and honored Kevin Smith with its Maverick director award. Living up to the kudo title and then some, Smith's riotous acceptance speech proved the talking point of the night. (Variety)
Directing keeps Eastwood, 76, busy Oct 20, 2006
Eastwood does not appear in "Flags of Our Fathers" or "Letters From Iwo Jima," which stars Ken Watanabe as Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, who led the Japanese defense of the island. After "Mystic River," in which he also does not appear, Eastwood began thinking he would prefer to remain behind the camera. (Florida Today)
Eastwood doubles up on WWII films Oct 19, 2006
" Eastwood does not appear in "Flags of Our Fathers" or "Letters From Iwo Jima," which stars Ken Watanabe as Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, who led the Japanese defense of the island. After "Mystic River," in which he also does not appear, Eastwood began thinking he would prefer to remain behind the camera. "Then all of a sudden, `Million Dollar Baby' comes along, and there's a great part in it there for a guy my age," said Eastwood, nominated for best actor as a crusty boxing coach. "So I'll never... (The Advocate)
The Power of an Image Oct 8, 2006
"While much of "Letters" was filmed in Southern California, Eastwood arranged a scouting trip to Iwo Jima in April 2005. The island was too remote to allow for a full-scale production. But he received permission to return this past April with a small camera crew and Ken Watanabe, the actor portraying General Kuribayashi in "Letters," to film at the foot of Mount Suribachi, Lorenz said.Haggis said that he and Eastwood had treaded quite carefully in making this war movie, given the continuing war... (The Ledger)
Ekins new love Sep 22, 2006
Three of Asias best actors Chow Yun-fat, Ken Watanabe and Tony Leung Chiu Wai star in the movie that is based on the classic Chinese novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Harlems breakthrough. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
'DREAMGIRLS' EARLY OSCAR FAVORITE? Aug 16, 2006
It stars Ken Watanabe (Memoirs of a Geisha) as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, who led the battle against American troops for several weeks. The new title probably alludes to the details of the conflict being revealed by letters written by Japanese soldiers to loved ones back home. (The Drudge Report)
Movie File: Rosario Dawson, Lindsay Lohan, 'Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam' & More Jul 13, 2006
"She was one of the first photojournalists to get pictures from China back into the United States, was considered a spy and escaped execution twice. But throughout the whole thing, they maintained their relationship, because they loved each other, and it's a really beautiful story." Due to begin filming this fall, the flick will be directed by "Double Jeopardy" helmer Bruce Beresford and will star fellow Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe as the object of Hudson's affection. "He's a real thorough actor.... (VHI.com -- Music News)
* Ken Watanabe: no more ninjas~GObF Jun 1, 2006
Ken Watanabe: no more ninjas~GObF ... Ken Watanabe smiles during a press event in Tokyo ... Ken Watanabe is Japan's best-known actor abroad. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Splash, Flash And Box-Office Cash Apr 30, 2006
It stars Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper, Ryan Phillippe and Ken Watanabe. TBD.. (CTNow.com)
The Joker's Law Apr 27, 2006
April 26, 2006 - Citing the same source that first informed them of Ken Watanabe and Katie Holmes' casting in Batman Begins, reports that Warner Bros. has several actors in mind to play The Joker in the next Batman movie but that the final decision will belong to director Christopher Nolan. (IGN FilmForce)
Plot Imitating Life? Apr 22, 2006
Apart from the whole Katie/baby thing, Cruise has always been canny about casting very talented co-stars like Jamie Foxx ( Collateral ), Cuba Gooding Jr. ( Jerry Maguire ) and Ken Watanabe ( Last Samurai ). Cruise no doubt remembered how much better his scenes in Magnolia were because Hoffman, now an Oscar winner, was in the room. (Fox News)
Brokeback Mountain; Capote; Good Night, And Good Luck; Memoirs of a Geisha; The Squid and the Whale Apr 10, 2006
98Memoirs of a Geisha:A Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release of Rob Marshall film; With: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li; March 28; Double disc: $28. 96The Squid and the Whale: A Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release of the Noah Baumbach film; With: Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline; March 21; Single disc: $26. (Variety)
King Kong storms onto DVD Mar 29, 2006
Director Rob Marshall (Chicago) oversees Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe in a historical romance adapted from Arthur Goldens best-seller about a poor Japanese girl who becomes a top geisha in the years leading up to World War II. The two-disc set has a huge range of featurettes, including a segment with Golden on his novels long journey to the screen, John Williams Oscar-nominated score and the geisha bootcamp actresses underwent to learn their... (MSNBC -- Movies)
On DVD: 'Kong' is king Mar 29, 2006
Except she's in love with the chairman (Ken Watanabe), and will use all her geisha-ness to be near him. Standing in her way is the stone-evil Hatsumomo (Li Gong) who sees the younger Sayuri as the usurper of her position as reigning geisha. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
What's new in entertainment Mar 24, 2006
" AP Photo/Lions Gate Films, Jon Barron Farmer "Memoirs of a Geisha" Adapted from the bestselling novel, "Memoirs" tells the story of a young orphan girl in Japan who becomes a geisha in the turbulent years before World War II. Starring Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, Eugenia Yuan and Ken Watanabe. Directed by Rob Marshall ("Chicago"). Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Rated PG-13. Available March 28."A Sound of Thunder" A group of hunters become recreational time travelers in... (Fresno Bee)
'Crash' wins best picture, Ang Lee 1st Asian to win director's Oscar Mar 6, 2006
Renowned Japanese actors Ken Watanabe and Koji Yakusho also starred in the movie. Japan was expecting the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film to go to "Howl's Moving Castle" directed by celebrated Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, but the prize was awarded to popular clay animation "Wallace t in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit.". (Kyodo, Japan)
In the line of fire Feb 26, 2006
Nuanced culture of geishas: Zhang Ziyi and Ken Watanabe in stills from the film. Photo: REUTERS AND AP. (Hindu)
World digest Jan 29, 2006
HONG KONG - Ken Watanabe, the Japanese star of "Memoirs of a Geisha," is defending the casting of Chinese actresses for the film's main roles, saying talent is the most important consideration. The English-language movie has inflamed historical tensions between Japan and China, with critics saying a movie about Japanese culture should have a Japanese actress in the lead. (Billings Gazette, MT)
