MovieChat Forums > The Bad Penny (2014) Discussion > Why Bai Ling?

Why Bai Ling?

posted 13 years ago by bigjohnstr
7 replies | jump to latest

Can anyone tell me why Hollywood keeps casting Bai Ling (and other non-Thai actresses) when stories are set in Thailand? I just don't get it. I live in Thailand, and for anyone who's been here for any amount of time, it's so obvious that she's not Thai. I'll be the first to say that the majority of the Thai film/TV industry is... ummm... let's say less than impressive, but I find it hard to believe that they can't find a single Thai actress who can do the job.

Hollywood's tendency to just say, "They're Asian (or latin/European/etc.), it's close enough." has always annoyed me. But I take real exception in Bai Ling's case, as I think she is just a very sub-par actress.

Ok. Venting finished.

[–] Ponzer 13 years ago

Why Bai Ling?
Haha, the same thought when through my head when I read the cast. I was mildly interested in watching this movie when I read the plot, ex-boxer, Bangkok, underworld, falls in love with beautiful hooker etc. Then I saw that Bai Ling was in it.
1. She's not thai(even I can tell that and I'm not even from there)
2. She's not beautiful(she's not ugly, but she's not hot enough that I'll watch a movie just cause of her).
3. She can't act(in fact, she have annoyed the hell out of me in the stuff I've seen her).

So yes, WHY? =)

"Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down. Makes her home."

[–] MovForFree 13 years ago

I would say it's safe to assume it's partially based on relevancy in America and her easy acceptance to play such a role. We can call her acting questionable at times yes but the director most likely saw it a different way.

"Everything doesn't happen for a reason, people simply justify reasons for things that happen."

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ponzer 13 years ago

Well, we can agree to disagree about her looks, it's a matter of taste. She's obviously not ugly, she's got a hot body, but in this type of movie, it's crucial for me that I find the love interest actually attractive. But you like her so that's obviously not a problem for you.

But that she isn't thai should be I think. Or is she a chinese whore in Thailand in the movie?

And lolwhut about her nipples in public appearances??

"Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down. Makes her home."

[–] tetrahex 12 years ago

because lucy liu or whatever won't do this film. the list of C list asian weird chicks is kind of short, so she gets all these roles.

[–] jose_moscardo 9 years ago

I can understand that you don't like to see a not Thai actress playing the character of a Thai woman. But Bai Ling is a good actress, if you don't think so I recommed you to watch "Red corner" or "The beautiful country". It is a pity that she oftenly appears in bad movies playing the typical hot Asian chick or similar. But without any doubt she is a very talented actress.

[–] Seth_Rogue_One 9 years ago

On behalf of all white people I say, most people can't tell the difference between Asians of different regions, Korean does stand out a bit but the rest just get mixed up

You gave yourself a name. I gave mine up.