Eastwood aims for realism with unknown Hmong ensemble in ‘Gran Torino’

News America Media writer Louisa Schein has begun a two-part report on the Hmong actors cast in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming “Gran Torino,” and I have to say, it’s a real coup considering how little we’ve learned of the film so far.

The article sheds light on Eastwood’s decision to cast a string of unknown in key roles throughout the film, making dreams come true for a large number of Hmong actors.  What’s more, it seems Eastwood chose a number of Hmong extras and production assistants for the production, putting what Schein calls a “mountain of faith” in Hmong talent.

Here’s a bit from Schein’s lede:

After open casting calls were held in Fresno, Detroit and Minnesota, interested Hmong Americans waited with baited breath to see who would be cast. As days turned into weeks, fear spread that Hmong would be passed over for more experienced Asian actors. But then, in early July, people who least expected it started getting the calls. Elation spread with the news that ten key roles had gone to mostly first-time Hmong actors, and that Hmong extras, production assistants and others were also going to be on set. Eastwood seems to be putting a mountain of faith in Hmong talent, and it looks like he will be well rewarded for it. Working on Gran Torino is stretching the actors – many of whom have backgrounds in other art forms like music – to reach potentials they didn’t know they had.

She goes on to profile a number of the actors involved, then drops this bit of news about improvisation on the set:

In Gran Torino, much of the dialogue is being created through improvising even though the original lines were written by white Minnesotan Nick Schenk (with Hmong input). Hmong actors describe ad-libbing their own lines on camera. They talk about drawing on their own grassroots experiences to make their characters authentic. They’re advocating for cultural accuracy, even when the Hollywood spectacle might be producing distortions. With so many talented Hmong working together, the ground is laid for the creation of three-dimensional people, a much more realistic portrayal of Hmong by Hmong for American audiences. Will it work? We’ll have to wait for the movie release…

You might recall I was somewhat impressed with Nick Schenk’s screenplay, but felt there was room for Eastwood to lift it off the page in areas where it falls flat.  So I’m happy to see Clint free-wheeling Schenk’s words a little bit, probably finding a better balance that isn’t so on the nose in some instances.  On the whole, I still think this is a Best Actor nomination waiting to happen for Eastwood.

Check out my Page to Screen screenplay review of “Gran Torino” here.  The film is still in production in and around Detroit, according to Schein’s article.