Keanu Reeves’s character racially trash talks some Korean thugs in “Street Kings.” There was a blurb about it in angryasianman a while back when an Asian American actress auditioning for a part in the flick saw the script and was very offended, and got that particular excerpt some web attention through AAM.
Here’s her email to AAM from back in May 2007:
“So I just got called in to audition for this new indie movie with Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker and Chris Evans called Kings X (a.k.a. The Nightwatch).
I’m actually going to call the casting director tomorrow and cancel my audition after reviewing the sides. So I can’t give you the entire plot of the film but after reading my sides and a couple of other sides, I know that a part of it does take place in Koreatown, with lo and behold korean sex slaves and korean guys as the baddies.
There’s also a part of dialogue where Reeves’ character greets the korean guys with ‘konichiwa.’ The Korean guys in turn tell him that phrase is Japanese and insulting to Koreans but Reeves says that he can’t tell the difference. Then Reeves’ character responds “It means you got eyes like apostrophes, dress white, talk black and drive Jew. So how’m I supposed to know what kind of zipperhead-dog-munching dinks you are if you don’t.”
Sounds Oscar-worthy doesn’t it? Well, you can check out the rest of the sides on Showfax. It’s pretty discouraging to be an asian actress these days…”
Entertainment Weekly’s review of “Street Kings” also mentions Reeve’s character’s statements to the Koreans as “racist.”
The flick sounds just wonderful (I’m being sarcastic here). I’m sure the Korean remarks will elicit great laughs from audiences (I’m NOT being sarcastic here).
fyi: Keanu recently wrapped up filming here in Vancouver for the remake of ‘the Day the Earth Stood Still’. He was here seen everywhere in Vancouver: Yaletown, Cin Cins, etc.
@ Anonymous–thanks for the head’s up about the film. Keanu stilll has *nice* arms; it’s really unfortunate they (and he) have to appear in such an effed up flick.
My husband never understood why, while I admit that he never seems to show any emotion besides “huh?” in his acting, I will watch almost any Keanu Reeves film.
I just happened upon your site. I like it. Like the fact that you appreciate Keanu too. I’m absolutely smitten -have been for over 10 years…he could read the phone book and I’d pay money to see and hear him.
I am a major Keanu head. Thanks! I, too, read about the racist remarks on Angry Asian Man last year and didn’t realize they were from “Street Kings.” It’s too bad that he, Forest Whittaker and anyone else involved in the film wouldn’t have raised a question about those remarks. The only way I believe those comments could be okay is if Reeves’ character is supposed to be a racist LAPD cop, and his racism is explored in some way in the film. I know the plot basically involves him “bonding” with a bunch of black “thuggish” types, so that may be the case. Who knows? But I doubt the movie is that complex.
I’m looking at his wrist! I have SUCH a watch fetish. *drool* It looks like a diver watch. At first I thought an Omega Seamaster, but know I think it’s a Rolex GMT-Master
I saw the movie and it was great, quick paced, action packed and full of testosterone. The Korean guys he insult kick his ass but he’s able to rescue a set of twins for sex traffickers(the thugs he fights with).
The film cst is diverse with lots of Blacks and Latinos.
How unfortunate that the script is reportedly that horrible. I always have the urge to go and support indie films with a minority cast, but I think I will have to pass on this one. I am not even Asian, and I find those remarks to be offensive.
Keanu Reeves looks great, and he looks even better when he keeps his mouth shut. He can’t act for sh!t.
Hear interviews with Keanu and the rest of the Street Kings cast at http://www.hollywoodliveandwork.com. Director, David Ayer says he really worked with him to create the character and some other nice things about the actor.
There’s behind the scenes footage too. Here’s the link:
Saw the movie and feel obliged to report:
There is vague acknowledgement of his character’s “racism” in the film, but I have to say it:
The “diverse” cast consists of this lesson: all criminals are people of color. There literally isn’t a single white “criminal” in the film. Every cop is pretty much rotten, with the exception of “white” Keanu (although he’s shady, too) and pristine pretty-boy white other cop (he’s a known actor, but I forget his name).
The only people of color in the film that aren’t total thugs or evil cops are dirty cops’ women - who put up with the dirt, etc. and have no power whatsoever.
I imagine many people come out of that film feeling excited about Keanu blasting “those (insert racial epithet - Latino, black, or Asian) thugs” at some point in the movie.
A “diverse” cast only brought in to fill stereotypical roles or serve as thugs to make it “okay” to make racist remarks to doesn’t really feel “diverse” in the end.
From what I’ve heard, he’s a decent person - he’s not the type of celebrity to flash a lot of money, have heaps of different sexual partners or live in gigantic mansions. Also, he apparently gave a lot of money to the CGI team behind the matrix films to thank them for their hard work.
As for his acting skills - he’s only good a certain roles. In the Matrix, he fit the role really well. He was also okay in Constantine - but I do have to say that in most other roles he’s as wooden as a plank of wood.
I must say, when I heard the script was written by James Ellroy, I knew there would be racist elements in it. Ellroy is best known for “The Black Dahlia”, an acclaimed book. After reading positive reviews about the book, I decided to get it. I read a few pages of the book and thought, “what a racist piece of crap!” I didn’t finish it. Luckily, I checked it out of the library, and didn’t spend any money on it.
Back on track, it’s nice to see a new picture of Keanu. With the recent changes at Racialicious, I thought, “does this mean no more Keanu pics?” Glad to see that hasn’t changed!
Racialicious is a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. Check out our daily updates on the latest celebrity gaffes, our no-holds-barred critique of questionable media representations, and of course, the inevitable Keanu Reeves newsflashes.
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Carmen’s perspectives on race and racism have been featured in Newsweek, USA Today, MSNBC Live, and NPR’s News & Notes. You can reach her at 917.657.3886 or carmen@newdemographic.com.
Hannah wrote:
Thank you!
Good to know someone still loves the Cool Breeze as much as I do!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 7:24 am ¶
ceecee wrote:
lol you know what this is what I’m talking about LoL!!
thanks a lot for sharing
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 7:49 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
Damn, he’s got some *nice* arms. Thanks for the Happy Friday present, Carmen!:-D
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 7:58 am ¶
Paul wrote:
Please tell me that Street Kings is the long-awaited sequel to Point Break or at least have him say “Effff beeeee eyyyyye”
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:23 am ¶
CG wrote:
He’s a cutie, for sure. Can’t act a lick, but who cares
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:24 am ¶
Anonymous wrote:
Keanu Reeves’s character racially trash talks some Korean thugs in “Street Kings.” There was a blurb about it in angryasianman a while back when an Asian American actress auditioning for a part in the flick saw the script and was very offended, and got that particular excerpt some web attention through AAM.
Here’s her email to AAM from back in May 2007:
“So I just got called in to audition for this new indie movie with Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker and Chris Evans called Kings X (a.k.a. The Nightwatch).
I’m actually going to call the casting director tomorrow and cancel my audition after reviewing the sides. So I can’t give you the entire plot of the film but after reading my sides and a couple of other sides, I know that a part of it does take place in Koreatown, with lo and behold korean sex slaves and korean guys as the baddies.
There’s also a part of dialogue where Reeves’ character greets the korean guys with ‘konichiwa.’ The Korean guys in turn tell him that phrase is Japanese and insulting to Koreans but Reeves says that he can’t tell the difference. Then Reeves’ character responds “It means you got eyes like apostrophes, dress white, talk black and drive Jew. So how’m I supposed to know what kind of zipperhead-dog-munching dinks you are if you don’t.”
Sounds Oscar-worthy doesn’t it? Well, you can check out the rest of the sides on Showfax. It’s pretty discouraging to be an asian actress these days…”
Entertainment Weekly’s review of “Street Kings” also mentions Reeve’s character’s statements to the Koreans as “racist.”
The flick sounds just wonderful (I’m being sarcastic here). I’m sure the Korean remarks will elicit great laughs from audiences (I’m NOT being sarcastic here).
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:32 am ¶
Carmen Van Kerckhove wrote:
Ah thanks Anon. We actually covered that on Racialicious last May, but I didn’t make the connection that it was the same movie.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:35 am ¶
Leigh-Anne wrote:
We haven’t had one of these in aaaaaaaaaaaaaages! It’s been way too long!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:36 am ¶
islandgirl550 wrote:
Carmen, I love when you do these Keanu posts. And I love your Omarion discussions as well!!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 8:49 am ¶
Phil C. wrote:
fyi: Keanu recently wrapped up filming here in Vancouver for the remake of ‘the Day the Earth Stood Still’. He was here seen everywhere in Vancouver: Yaletown, Cin Cins, etc.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 9:18 am ¶
hypoglycemiagirl wrote:
Oops, there goes my….
… ability to focus on statistical analyses on a Friday afternoon.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 9:19 am ¶
gothic guera wrote:
he’s so fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 9:30 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ Anonymous–thanks for the head’s up about the film. Keanu stilll has *nice* arms; it’s really unfortunate they (and he) have to appear in such an effed up flick.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 9:37 am ¶
Brigitte wrote:
Photos of Keanu are never gratuitous.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 10:49 am ¶
Erica wrote:
My husband never understood why, while I admit that he never seems to show any emotion besides “huh?” in his acting, I will watch almost any Keanu Reeves film.
Arms… mmmmmmmm
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 12:02 pm ¶
Arturo wrote:
What, no love for Alex Winter?
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 12:30 pm ¶
Eva wrote:
I adore him, and I adored him in “Constantine”.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 12:32 pm ¶
Tasha wrote:
yay gratuitous jeanu
boo racist script
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 12:45 pm ¶
Mayake wrote:
I just happened upon your site. I like it. Like the fact that you appreciate Keanu too. I’m absolutely smitten -have been for over 10 years…he could read the phone book and I’d pay money to see and hear him.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 1:23 pm ¶
Aaron wrote:
Excellent!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 2:11 pm ¶
Nadra wrote:
I am a major Keanu head. Thanks! I, too, read about the racist remarks on Angry Asian Man last year and didn’t realize they were from “Street Kings.” It’s too bad that he, Forest Whittaker and anyone else involved in the film wouldn’t have raised a question about those remarks. The only way I believe those comments could be okay is if Reeves’ character is supposed to be a racist LAPD cop, and his racism is explored in some way in the film. I know the plot basically involves him “bonding” with a bunch of black “thuggish” types, so that may be the case. Who knows? But I doubt the movie is that complex.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 2:28 pm ¶
Jackie wrote:
I love that man, enough said!!!
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 3:38 pm ¶
deb wrote:
I’m looking at his wrist! I have SUCH a watch fetish. *drool* It looks like a diver watch. At first I thought an Omega Seamaster, but know I think it’s a Rolex GMT-Master
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 5:33 pm ¶
Chandra wrote:
I saw the movie and it was great, quick paced, action packed and full of testosterone. The Korean guys he insult kick his ass but he’s able to rescue a set of twins for sex traffickers(the thugs he fights with).
The film cst is diverse with lots of Blacks and Latinos.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 6:25 pm ¶
Sulyp wrote:
How unfortunate that the script is reportedly that horrible. I always have the urge to go and support indie films with a minority cast, but I think I will have to pass on this one. I am not even Asian, and I find those remarks to be offensive.
Keanu Reeves looks great, and he looks even better when he keeps his mouth shut. He can’t act for sh!t.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 7:13 pm ¶
aviator wrote:
I’m a straight male, and even I’ll admit that Keanu Reeves is pretty dreamy.
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 10:15 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ deb–you are too much! LMAO
Posted 11 Apr 2008 at 10:38 pm ¶
ellenoir1 wrote:
Hear interviews with Keanu and the rest of the Street Kings cast at http://www.hollywoodliveandwork.com. Director, David Ayer says he really worked with him to create the character and some other nice things about the actor.
There’s behind the scenes footage too. Here’s the link:
http://www.hollywoodliveandwork.com/2008/04/street-kings-to-protect-and-serve-who.html
Posted 12 Apr 2008 at 12:44 am ¶
CVT wrote:
Saw the movie and feel obliged to report:
There is vague acknowledgement of his character’s “racism” in the film, but I have to say it:
The “diverse” cast consists of this lesson: all criminals are people of color. There literally isn’t a single white “criminal” in the film. Every cop is pretty much rotten, with the exception of “white” Keanu (although he’s shady, too) and pristine pretty-boy white other cop (he’s a known actor, but I forget his name).
The only people of color in the film that aren’t total thugs or evil cops are dirty cops’ women - who put up with the dirt, etc. and have no power whatsoever.
I imagine many people come out of that film feeling excited about Keanu blasting “those (insert racial epithet - Latino, black, or Asian) thugs” at some point in the movie.
A “diverse” cast only brought in to fill stereotypical roles or serve as thugs to make it “okay” to make racist remarks to doesn’t really feel “diverse” in the end.
Posted 12 Apr 2008 at 12:46 am ¶
Nadra wrote:
Keanu is on Jimmy Kimmel right now. Ow!
Posted 12 Apr 2008 at 2:27 am ¶
Mark wrote:
From what I’ve heard, he’s a decent person - he’s not the type of celebrity to flash a lot of money, have heaps of different sexual partners or live in gigantic mansions. Also, he apparently gave a lot of money to the CGI team behind the matrix films to thank them for their hard work.
As for his acting skills - he’s only good a certain roles. In the Matrix, he fit the role really well. He was also okay in Constantine - but I do have to say that in most other roles he’s as wooden as a plank of wood.
Posted 12 Apr 2008 at 3:05 am ¶
Wanderinglady wrote:
I must say, when I heard the script was written by James Ellroy, I knew there would be racist elements in it. Ellroy is best known for “The Black Dahlia”, an acclaimed book. After reading positive reviews about the book, I decided to get it. I read a few pages of the book and thought, “what a racist piece of crap!” I didn’t finish it. Luckily, I checked it out of the library, and didn’t spend any money on it.
Back on track, it’s nice to see a new picture of Keanu. With the recent changes at Racialicious, I thought, “does this mean no more Keanu pics?” Glad to see that hasn’t changed!
Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 10:25 am ¶
bdsista wrote:
Can I get a pic of Dwayne Johnson someday? I love me some ROCK!
Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 3:11 pm ¶