When I was writing up today’s poll, I realized I had completely forgot about that Louisa Schein piece from a few weeks back that was focused on the Hmong actors Clint Eastwood has cast in “Gran Torino.” It was the first of a two-part study and I never came back to it.
Part two was published on October 4 and, well, here it is. Better late than never. Schein digs into more cast members this time, mainly those cast as the Hmong family that lives next to Eastwood’s Walt Kowalski character. But she winds the story down with this bit of insight into how “Gran Torino” might have lit a fuse for prospective Hmong filmmakers:
Once Gran Torino is in theaters, the wait will be on for a film that not only tells the Hmong story, but does so from a Hmong point of view. As longtime actress, and production assistant for the Minnesota casting call, Sandy Ci Moua, puts it: “I see this as a catalyst for more Hmong to get into filmmaking.” During casting Sandy was a major advocate for the hiring of Hmong actors. Now she wants something more. “Not just acting in someone else’s movie, but writing, casting and producing – the things that make the story go.”
Read the rest here.
Comments
One response to “More on “Gran Torino””
I really admire the way Eastwood as a director can go from directing one of the most famous people in the world (The Changeling) to directing complete unknowns. It makes me think about the different kinds of realities actors bring to the story, and how different stories require diferent approaches. I love movies that make me think about the art involved. I can hardly wait for both films.