The file of Birgit Kellner concerning East Germans
played by Austrians reminded me about several films
of Aki and Mika Kaurism=E4ki (e.g. "Helsinki Napoli All Night Long", "La=
 vie de
boheme", "Rosso" etc.) where the main roles - irrespective of the nation=
ality
of the character -  are constantly played by their favorite
Finnish male actors. I myself have enjoyed a lot this kind of mixture (M=
atti
Pellonpaa pronouncing French as slowly and inexpressively as he uses to =
speak
Finnish or Kari Vaananen as an Italian criminal resembling a real Italia=
n man
only as long as it concerns the colour of his hair) because
it seems to me that it works as a kind of "alienation effect", the conce=
pt
of nationality has lost its importance.
This doesn't mean that "misrepresentation" of races or nationalities or =
 
whatever would always work in this way. Mostly not, I guess, but it can =
have
advantages, too. Comments, other examples?
 
Mari Maasilta
University of Tampere
Finland
 
----
To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L
in the message.  Problems?  Contact [log in to unmask]