MovieChat Forums > Köshpendiler (2005) Discussion > For those against Kuno Becker being the ...

For those against Kuno Becker being the lead character...

posted 19 years ago by avrilbecker
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I've read the comments in this board of those who are complaining over the fact that Kuno Becker was cast as the lead role of NOMAD. And its foolish you're complaining about it just because "he doesn't look like a kazakh". First of all read the "synopsis". It was said "Mansur" Kuno's character is a Russian boy raised by the kazahs...therefore Mansur isn't really a kazakh...the synopsis states the movie takes please between china, russia and tibet. So the casting of Kuno Becker as Mansur isn't bad at all..because he's portraying a russian boy. Russians don't look kazakh nor do they have any asian traces in their faces. They are very white...and look american. So Kuno fits perfectly there..because he is really white...hence the comparison to Leo Dicaprio. In fact here's a small article I found...that says that actors of latin and chinese descent were casted for the roles in NOMAD. So apparently the cast & crew are happy with the casting choices.

Article:

The film, to be titled The Nomad, is eschewing actors of regional or Russian descent, giving roles to actors of Latin or Chinese descent, including Jay Hernandez and Kuno Becker, as well as American-born Ron Yuan and Jason Scott Lee, perhaps best known for his turn as (no relation) Bruce Lee in Bruce Lee: The Dragon Story.

If the director has no problem with his casting choices. I don't see why you should either. How come no one is complaining about Jay Hernandez? He's mexican and you can tell by just giving him one look. He has no kazakh traces whatsoever. And wether Kuno or anyone in the cast looks like a kazakh...I believe is beside the point. Especially if Kuno is portraying a russian boy, there is no need to look like a kazakh..and his american like physique fits the profile for a Russian. Besides people don't go to movie because of an actors nationality or ethnicity. That's just plain stupid. Its like if someone neglected to see a movie Salma Hayek is in just because she's mexican. Only racist people go to a movie on a nationality based reason. Normal viewers go to see a movie for entertainment and the plain fun that comes with seeing a film. Wether an actor is european...american...mexican...african...etc...is the least important part of a movie. Unless you're putting an american to portray someone like Emiliano Zapata...or Martin Luthor King Jr. then I'll agree. But denying to watch a movie because an actor is mexican, american or whatever is just plain stupid. And only someone racist would do something as foolish as that.

And as far as I heard Kazakhs haven't been complaining for Kuno being cast as the lead role. In fact the kazakh government contributed about half a million dollars to the production. So they seem to be satisfied with the casting choices. Their goal is to bring the kazakh history onto the big screen no matter who acts in...so people can learn about the kazak culture. And I believe that's cool. And I'm watching the film for the entertainment and fun that comes with an action film.

And I've seen this sort of bashing towards a film a dozen times. And the irony of it is people complain its gonna flop and won't be successful...but those people always tend to be wrong. A plain example is the Spider-Man movies! Everyone was bashing and insulting Tobey Maguire when he was casted as Spider-man just because he wasn't BUFF enough. Those people were sure Spider-man would flop because they thought no one would believe a guy as skinny as Tobey was Spider-man. But they forgot something very important Peter Parker was a very nerdy guy and timid...he wasn't buff at all either..until he became Spider-man. And Tobey was perfect because he could come across as being the nerdy timid Peter Parker and at the same time new york's super hero Spider-Man. And Spider-Man was a HIT at the box office...despite people complaining Tobey was wrong for the role and that the movie would suck, which it didn't because it went on to gross a huge amount of money around the world and was nominated and won an oscar.

So its better not to underestimate an actor or a movie. Watch the movie first and then complain about the actors. But you can't critize what you haven't seen and what you don't know. Watch the NOMAD when its released and then complain all you want. But you can't already bash a movie that hasn't been released yet.

I've heard silly contradictions all over the threads...somebody saying that thera are kazakhs that do look like Kuno but that no one will believe he's a kazakh. If there's kazakh people that look like Kuno...then trust me...they will buy the fact that he's portraying a kazakh in a film. Although as I heard before Mansur is a russian boy. And Kuno does fit the russian profile.

If you guys want an example...there's this famous actress in Mexico named Ana Layevska...she's russian and she portrays "mexican" characters in mexican soaps. And she looks american..so believe me people, if Ana Layevska looking like an american can portray a mexican girl...Kuno can portray a kazakh. Ana Layevska speaks fluent spanish so she blends in with a young mexican girls physique...since "RICH GIRLS...FROM HIGH SOCIAL CLASSES AND FROM PRESTIGIOUS FAMILIES" in Mexico are really white..hence the reason Kuno is really white and is a mexican in real life.

Anyway here's a pic of Ana Layevska.... (Just click on the link.)

http://u.univision.com/contentroot/uol/art/images/tv/nov/2005/03/pa_madrastra_ana3_7_031005.jpg

So people stop being so prejudice and watch the movie first before critizing it.

And those people who keep bashing Kuno certainly do know much about him. Because all they can recall of him was his soap operas where he portrayed rich guys. But in his last film Imagining Argentina he was a villain..nothing to do with his soap opera characters. He was mean..cruel...cold hearted and a selfish guy in Imagining Argentina. Nothing to do with his "pretty boy" characters in soap operas. And believe me he was a great villain in Imagining Argentina...and if he can pull of being a villain which isn't something simple...he can totally pull off being a kazakh warrior.

Kuno's a pretty boy and just like Leo Dicaprio that makes him a babe magnet. And hot actors like those always attract girls to their films. And that's what makes movie so succesful, an actor that can attract an audience.

I read Milos Forman and the other producers of NOMAD said Kuno was their first choice for the lead role, precisely because of his stage presence...he has that ability to attract the audience...especially a female audience. And that's what Milo Forman and the producers said they liked about Kuno, that he's extremely talented, has stage presence and can easily attract a female audience.

And thats what a film needs an actor that can attract people to a film. And as long as an actor can do that...it doesn't matter if he's mexican, american, european, african, australian, irish, etc, of course I'm talking about all sorts of films..not only the nomad.

[–] Janatay 19 years ago

First of all read the "synopsis". It was said "Mansur" Kuno's character is a Russian boy raised by the kazahs...therefore Mansur isn't really a kazakh...

"Russian boy raised by the kazahs"

he's portraying a russian boy

Mansur isn't really a kazakh

MUWAHAHAHAHA!!

avrilbecker, where did you find that B.S. ?

Mansur (both historically and in the movie) was no Russian! Cut the crap, please!

He was a descendent of the Kazak khans. His father was a Central Asian ruler - Wali sultan.

Here's the synopsis from the "Wild Bunch"'s website:

http://www.wild-bunch.com/homepage.cfm?section=films&filmid=121&subsection=synopsis

Oraz, a mystic and warrior possessed of great powers, foretells the birth of a new star, a hero. This boy -Mansur - is destined to unite the Kazakhs, and lead them to glorious victory against their enemies. Fearful of Oraz’ prediction, the Jungar ruler Galdan orders his General, Sharish, to find the child and slay him. However, Oraz saves Mansur and delivers him to his father, Sultan Wali.

How come no one is complaining about Jay Hernandez?

1. He looks more Kazak than Becker
2. He is not playing a leading role!

Besides people don't go to movie because of an actors nationality or ethnicity.

You simply CANNOT UNDERSTAND that because that is not the movie about the heroes who saved YOUR country, the heroes who made YOUR existance today possible, the heroes who's great deeds your mother would tell you at night.

Like Lepus_Rex previously said: Would Mexicans be so enthusiatic if a film was made about the Mexican Revolution, with some dumb f uck from "The O.C." starring as Emiliano Zapata?

You simply don't understand, because it's not the movie about your history and your country.

You're going to watch the film only "for the entertainment and fun that comes with an action film", not caring about anything else that is precious for us, Kazaks.

Unless you're putting an american to portray someone like Emiliano Zapata...or Martin Luthor King Jr. then I'll agree.

Yes, that is exactly what I'm talking about!

Wether an actor is european...american...mexican...african...etc...is the least important part of a movie.

You're wrong. Me and other Kazaks are OK with American Jason Scott Lee, hawaiian Mark Dacascos and mexican Jay Hernandez.

I just think that Becker is not the best choice for the role of Mansur.

And as far as I heard Kazakhs haven't been complaining for Kuno being cast as the lead role.

Have you been to Kazakstan?

Have you read all the articles of the respected writers and historians about the unknown white Mexican who's going to play the role of our history's greatest leader?

What do you know about that?

So its better not to underestimate an actor or a movie. Watch the movie first and then complain about the actors.

I REALLY HOPE THE MOVIE WILL BE A SUCCESS!

But you can't critize what you haven't seen and what you don't know. Watch the NOMAD when its released and then complain all you want. But you can't already bash a movie that hasn't been released yet.

I saw him "in action" on both photos and trailer. Not really impressive.

Although as I heard before Mansur is a russian boy. And Kuno does fit the russian profile.

That is simply a lie and a BS!

Where did you "heard" it?

Kuno's a pretty boy and just like Leo Dicaprio that makes him a babe magnet. And hot actors like those always attract girls to their films. And that's what makes movie so succesful, an actor that can attract an audience.

I read Milos Forman and the other producers of NOMAD said Kuno was their first choice for the lead role, precisely because of his stage presence...he has that ability to attract the audience...especially a female audience. And that's what Milo Forman and the producers said they liked about Kuno, that he's extremely talented, has stage presence and can easily attract a female audience.

WOW ! You really ARE obsessed with him.

I think this countless "attract a female audience" really worked bad on you!

To be honest, I don't really care about the attraction of the female audience, because that's NOT the way this movie supposed to be.

I is a historical action movie which means A LOT to the people of Kazakstan, because their history, culture and legendary heroes are presented there!

I can see you're a big Kuno Becker fan. I understand and respect your position.

And you have to understand that I am a huge fan of my country, Kazakstan, so you should also try to understand me and respect my opinion.

I hope Kuno wouldn't screw up this movie, I hope he could have handled this role of the legendary Abil-Mansur.

That's one of the reasons I rented Becker's movie "Lucia Lucia" and right now am going to watch it.

I really hope "THE NOMAD" will be a successful movie, and everyone, both you and me, will be happy with it.

[–] nicolas_tg 19 years ago

Amen

[–] Shadown 19 years ago

Damn rite!

[–] Lepus_Rex 19 years ago

I really hope "THE NOMAD" will be a successful movie

I do too, oddly. As much as I dislike the casting of "Nomad," if watching it inspires even one person to learn about Kazak (or Central Asian in general) history, culture, etc., that's a good thing. Other than the apparent racist motives for the casting of Becker and Hernandez, it seems to be fairly inoffensive, unlike a certain upcoming Sergei Bodrov-directed film is to the Mongols. (If Bodrov had been involved in "Nomad" from the beginning, trust me, "Mansur" would've been a male prostitute from Minsk. )

And judging by the trailer and the photos that have been posted here, it at least looks good. Not having seen it, I can't comment on the historical accuracy of the script, but... Say, anyone read it and care to comment?

Yanno, I think I'll even see "Nomad," if it comes to Minneapolis. (Though I don't imaging I'll be buying the DVD, heh.) I'll just squint when Becker's on screen, and pretend he doesn't look like a Menudo bobblehead doll.

---Lepus Rex

[–] resilient_little_sprout 19 years ago

"Kuno's character is a Russian boy"

But he doesn't look Russian either. Not at all like a Russian. Yes, we know he is white and there are some white Mexicans, but they do not look like Russians at all. I tell you this as an ethnographer.

"If the director has no problem with his casting choices. I don't see why you should either."

I see no problem with casting Chinese actors in Kazakh roles because it is believeable and Asian actors have been portraying people of other Asian ethnicities for a while (Chinese actors portaying Japanese and so on). But this is supposed to be a movie about Kazakhs, and the 3 main characters are not Kazakh. These 2 Western Latinos and 1 Chinese-American were cast because the directors assumed people wouldn't go see a movie with unknown Kazakh actors. That is a racist assumption on their part, and it is also somewhat demeaning to Kazakhs. They probably cast Latino actors just so they wouldn't be accused of 'white-washing' history.

"Its like if someone neglected to see a movie Salma Hayek is in just because she's mexican. Only racist people go to a movie on a nationality based reason."

That is completely irrelevant. I have nothing against Mexican or Latin actors, I watch films from all over the world. Watching Salma Hayek (who is Lebanese-Mexican) in a fictional role involves no suspension of disbelief. However, Nomad is supposed to be a historical film. Imagine if you had Will Smith playing Attila the Hun or something similar, and you see what I'm getting at.

"Kuno's a pretty boy and just like Leo Dicaprio that makes him a babe magnet. And hot actors like those always attract girls to their films."

So in effect you're saying a good-looking Kazakh actor wouldn't attract women? Isn't that racist? You're saying that females go to films based on how "hot" the male leads are, which is a sexist stereotype on your part. I watch war movies because I enjoy them, I would watch a historical epic like Nomad because I'm interested in Central Asian history and culture. Furthermore, all girls do not like "pretty boys". I certainly don't. I find typical Kazakh men much more handsome and manly than Kuno.

And thats what a film needs an actor that can attract people to a film. And as long as an actor can do that...it doesn't matter if he's mexican, american, european, african, australian, irish, etc,

So if Denzel Washington was cast as a Kazakh warrior, you would support that even though it would be completely unbelieveable?

[–] yildizbolat 16 years ago

'It was said "Mansur" Kuno's character is a Russian boy raised by the kazahs...therefore Mansur isn't really a kazakh...the synopsis states the movie takes please between china, russia and tibet. So the casting of Kuno Becker as Mansur isn't bad at all..because he's portraying a russian boy. Russians don't look kazakh nor do they have any asian traces in their faces. They are very white...and look american."

1. Russian boy with south american accent?
2. Russians don't look like americans. Trust me. Anyone who knows how russians look like would agree with that. Face is different, speech is different and people (those who are not in awe of Kuno Becker) hardly can mistake a russian for an american, even based on his looks.
3. I do care if the lead character is played by somebody that doesn't fit in the role. That makes the movie a waste of time and money. And I am p...ed off if the historical truth is not respected. And one of the historical truths that should've been respected is that Kuno Becker and Jay Hernandez look like they lost their way home and took a huge detour (oceans and continents) and they simply are misplaced. Just look at the facial features of Mansour's father and then look at Mansour. Makes you think he was adopted.

[–] Flying25 16 years ago

Unlike Kuno Becker, Jay Hernandez would easily pass for a Kazakh.

[–] xsquid1 14 years ago

Just a couple of notes from reading this thread.

First off Jay Hernandez is not mexican. He was born in california, mexican is a nationality, not race. Nor every latino/latina are mexicans even if their ancestry is there.

Becker has a mexican accent which is in north america, not south america......and yes theres a difference even between south american accents.

[–] khazmir 14 years ago

I just watched the movie, and this is the first thread I have entered. Just by the title alone, I completely understood the conflict. I don't know anything specific about the history, but I did find myself asking why does this guy look so white? His biological dad wasn't. His birth mom wasn't. And nobody else in the tribes were so it did seem very bizarre.

I know that people often get bent out of shape about using people of the wrong nationality to play a different nationality. I don't take issue with that. However, in this case, it looks like the boy must have floated down the river in a basket like Moses. Why on earth would he be white?

[–] xsquid1 14 years ago

It happens. If he had a grandparent with light skin he could absolutely have 2 dark skinned parents and have light skin. Skin color is like eye color, it can skip a generation. For example both of my parents have brown eyes but my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather had hazel eyes.....and so do I. My brother has brown eyes like my parents. My brother also has black hair, dark skin to go with those eyes. I have light skin with browm hair, it even looked blonde when I was a child.

Dark parents with a light child or light parents with a dark child happens a lot.