Reel Talk: Ghost in the Shell Shocked

I didn't have high expectations for the live-action edition of Ghost in the Shell. By this point the anime's signature visuals have all been aped by other films, including The Matrix, and I was confident that the filmmakers would abandon the anime's cerebral approach. And that's before we get to the casting controversy. As discussed in an earlier post, the filmmakers made a questionable at best decision to cast Scarlett Johansson, a white actress, in the lead role of The Major, a Japanese character in the anime. In America many people viewed this as a perfect example of white-washing, while many Japanese audiences said they expected an American to star in the Hollywood version of the property and thought the film's themes about identity lent itself to flexible casting.

So you'd think with all of that baggage upfront that the film would do everything in its power to avoid more bad publicity right? Well you'd be wrong 

*Spoilers for 2017's Ghost in the Shell* ahead.

In a major shift from the source material, the driving force of Ghost in the Shell''s plot is a conspiracy involving a shady robotics company that is responsible for the major's creation and possibly the creation cybernetic terrorists. As the Major digs deeper, she discovers that her origin story, her parents were killed in a terrorist attack, is a lie and that she has been given false memories to motivate her in her profession. Eager for answers the Major finally discovers her true origin and identity.

The Twist

As it turns out the Major was originally known as Motoko Kusanagi, a Japanese teenage runaway whose brain was put in a cybernetic body with Caucasian features. 

Now before I explode with disbelief, I understand the filmmakers intention. Address the characters Japanese origin and make this "painting over" the move of an evil corporation. But since this origin means they literally painted white skin on the mind of Japanese woman the Major's origin is textbook whitewashing.

Here's a quick hit list of why this is a tone deaf move:

• It makes the casting of a white actress in the role indefensible
• It ignores any of the potential problems Motoko might have in her new body (i.e. one that doesn't match her memories or her original identity)
• It undercuts the fluid identity defense

But more than anything else this is a completely avoidable problem. Make the Major's original name Jane Henderson and yes its still disappointing, but it doesn't shine a spotlight on a known issue in the production.

What's worse is that the film doesn't spend any time considering the implications. They imply that it's traumatic and that the corporation that did this is evil, but when the evil is stripping someone of their identity (including race and culture) that needs to be addressed. And yet it never is. The Major visits her mother's home, and her clearly Japanese mother is completely at ease with her daughter's appearance.

The deeper you dig into the implications of this choice the worse it gets. Is the meta-narrative saying that white-skin is a super power in our world? If so is it supporting this idea or critiquing it?

The Lesson

While Ghost in the Shell wouldn't have been an interesting film without the controversy, it wouldn't be controversial at all if an actress of Japanese heritage was in the role. You avoid protests up front from American fans, maybe get some increased interest at foreign box offices, and best of all the ultimate plot twist is a non-issue.

I'm not sure that anything could make Ghost in the Shell a worthwhile movie, but one casting decision could've made a huge difference.