Stereotyping In 'A Film Analysis Of A Geisha'

Under postmodern conditions, persons exist in a state of continuous construction and reconstruction; it is a world where anything goes that can be negotiated. Each reality of self gives way to reflexive questioning, irony and ultimately the playful probing of yet another reality. ( Gergen, 1991) Due to the constant change in the world, the juxtaposition of cultures and communities joining and the influences of globalisation, the 21st century is never the same. Nevertheless, the mass media plays a huge role in influencing the perception of its audiences. Therefore the mass media needs to constantly change their representations that is not outdated but represent reality. What is real and not what they think is real. However realistic media images

As Lester asserted, to stereotype is, in both a real and a metaphorical sense, to lose sight of the individual. History has shown that stereotyping can lead to scapegoating, which lead to discrimination, which can lead to segregation, which can lead to physical abuse, which can lead to state-sponsored genocide. (Lester, 2003) Stereotyping is a negative assessment of an individual or a group that is being scrutinize that takes away their own identity. In Memoirs of a Geisha this type of negative stereotypes is being portrayed in the main characters. Although, Rob Marshall did a good job in trying to make the film as neutral and tries to represent the reality of the life of a geisha in the early 40’s but is actually a re-creation and representation that bestow to the Western perception of certain asian stereotypes. Memoirs of a Geisha is a film about the Japanese culture, their history and people but that does not mean it is an Asian film. Yes, most of the casts are either Asian or Asian American but the rest of the crew are Americans including the director and the producers. Moreover, the film is from an adaptation by an American writer Arthur Golden. To add on, the film is almost shot fully in California, except for the Japanese Temples in some scene. This clearly shows that the movie is created by and thought through for the