Cultural Appropriations and Whitewashing

By Akhil Sai | 1.5k | 10 Oct 2017

Lawrence of Arabia was an iconic movie in cinema history. Beautiful landscapes, Warcries, and Long take of several scenes in the movie. These all factors helped it become one of the iconic movies. But there is still something in the movie which can't be ignored for its blunder. The blunder being casting Alec Guinness as Prince Feisal. How can a White Caucasian male resemble an Arab? This is where white washing comes in.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Cultural appropriations and whitewashing. Here's something to help you understand this blog.

What is Cultural appropriation?

Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone else's culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc

Why it happens so much?

Because it is profitable. Ghost in the shell being an iconic anime series got adapted into a Hollywood film. Yet, they disappointed us again with casting Scarlet Johansson as Motoko Kusanagi, cyborg officer in future. Clearly, the character is Japanese and must have been offered to a Japanese actress. But, why do that? You brand your movie with the name of Scarlet Johansson as your lead cast to attract the audience to have higher earnings. It is clearly whitewashing.

Hollywood destroyed many other franchises like Ghost in the shell. You all must be familiar with Anime series Dragonball Evolution. what were you thinking Hollywood?

Whitewashing is frustrating for anime fan like me. Even many major Hollywood films have been through this. Ridley Scott fans must have watched Exodus: Gods and Kings eagerly much to their disappointment it turned out to be garbage.

Many other characters in movies include:
Johnny Depp as Tonto in The Lone Ranger

Tonto is a Native - American Character. As for Johnny Depp, he isn't. I don't have a problem with Johnny Depp. He is a great character actor. But clearly, he was cast in the movie for Publicity.

Tilda Swinton as the Ancient one in Doctor Strange

This is a major upset in Marvel films. As you can see in below picture. Both don't look alike at all.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince of Persia in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Being a Swedish descent, I don't think Jake Gyllenhaal is a Persian. Nice Marketing strategy Hollywood.

Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily in Pan

Native American Character. Caucasian White Character actor. Nothing more can be said.

The worst of them all is probably Avatar: The Last Airbender. Many of the major characters are Asian and Inuit but are played by white actors. If that isn't whitewashing? I don't know what is.

Why is it an issue?

When dominant groups like Caucasian who are widespread in Hollywood gain money but also status by popularizing art forms, expressions and other cultural elements of minorities. It is exploitative. Moreover, Many Directors argue that casting Non-white characters is not commercially viable.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Did you feel any major characters of your favorite franchises whitewashed? Do let us know in the comments..