Emma Stone criticized by media and netizens for racist line used in Birdman

[tokyocinema.livejournal.com]

With the recent attention brought upon by the buzz of the 87th Academy Awards in the United States, Korean netizens and local film critics have expressed their distaste on the use of the traditional dish, kimchi, in the film, Birdman.

In a report published by Yonhap News on February 23rd, film critics expressed their distaste for mocking Korean culture as the character portrayed by Emma Stone was quoted saying, “It all smells like f****** kimchi,” when asked by her father on the scent of the flowers.

The alleged derogatory remarks were also raised to the Korean Ambassador. In addition, the audience also cited the film for cultural abasement with other scenes such as a Japanese journalist not able to speak English, taking it as an offence to the Asian culture.

However, the production team denied the allegations as derogatory. In a statement through Yonhap News, the official stated that, “The flower shop Emma Stone visits in the film is run by an Asian and the line was simply used to portray her neurotic character. There is no intention at all to belittle a certain country or culture.”

Meanwhile, Birdman, who has received four awards at the 87th Academy Awards, is scheduled to be released in South Korea on March 5th.

Article: 'Birdman' script controversy, Emma Stone's "It all smells like fuc*ing kimchi"

Source: Star Today via Nate

1. [+1,076, -88] Kimchi does smell bad to foreigners. Just like how blue cheese smells gross to us, I bet kimchi's the same for others. But more than that, I'm surprised Americans even know what kimchi is.

2. [+904, -62] Not even that bad considering the movie has a scene where they literally say "fu*king Jap"

3. [+876, -119] But I'd be pissed too if a flower smelled like kimchi

4. [+64, -7] From the perspective of Koreans, I get why we'd feel offended but I don't think it's controversial since we know that kimchi isn't that great of a smell for foreigners.

5. [+53, -5] So stop forcing foreigners to try kimchi when we have other foreigner friendly foods like bulgogi and galbi. Imagine if you went overseas and someone kept telling you to eat pickles instead of the steak.

-

Source: Naver

1. [+15,348, -686] It still offends me.

2. [+13,215, -578] Totally sounds like they're putting down Koreans

3. [+5,582, -847] I don't really find the kimchi smell that bad... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

4. [+1,393, -162] Cheese smells worse like poop, you Yankees

5. [+1,311, -83] There are tons of disgusting smells to name, why'd they have to choose kimchi

6. [+1,297, -88] Still feel offended as a Korean

-


Sources: Kuki News via Nate, Koreaboo, Star Today via Nate, Yonhap News via Naver, Netizenbuzz

Comments

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I don't get why the title says "Emma Stones being criticized" I guess Koreaboo is trying to attract readers by using her name


To be fair Kimchi doesn't really smell nice, nor bad, it just has a strong scent but I'd be pissed if a flower smelled like kimchi
I don't think the line is offensive but I'm not korean...
idk, I don't mind when people criticize cheese scent... some cheese stink for real


Either way the "fu*king Jap" line is a lot worst imo

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

the problem is the context of the line is that emma stone's character is standing in a flower shop run by koreans when she says the line.

[kyokomurasaki.livejournal.com]

“The flower shop Emma Stone visits in the film is run by an Asian and the line was simply used to portray her neurotic character.

So "neurotic" = "racist" now? OK.

[tokyocinema.livejournal.com]

steamy mess and a half

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

i mean like if the character is outright racist and the movie condemns her then fine but like, wtf neuroticism isn't synonymous with racist.

[e-bone (from livejournal.com)]

"Kimchi does smell bad to foreigners. Just like how blue cheese smells gross to us"

THEY DUN NAMED BLUE CHEESE AN AMERICAN NATIONAL DISH THEY MAY AS WELL HAVE SAID MAYO I AM CRYING MY EYES OUT LMFAOOOOO

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

french me was "offended" by this tbh

[audiograms.livejournal.com]

nuerosis =/= racist clueless movie person

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

4. [+1,393, -162] Cheese smells worse like poop, you Yankees

Do you think any American would be offended by this sir or madam...because most won't....cheese ain't that great unless its on top of french fries, melted.

[kyokomurasaki.livejournal.com]

hdu cheese is amazing

yes i am white

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

Kind of OT but is this movie really that good? I haven't watched it yet.

[rixythewraith.livejournal.com]

This movie is AMAZING

But this line definitely seemed off and kinda unnecessary

Re: TW: Mental illness slur

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

Oh, so basically this movie is one big problematic mess. Good to know. I was happy to see Keaton back in a ~starring~ role, but nope.
Maybe next time.

[adlyeith.livejournal.com]

I guess I don't really understand the big deal about the line? I mean, if someone said some dish that was always associated with America smelled awful, I'd laugh and shrug my shoulders and probably agree. In some of the articles I've read recently, it seems a lot like..people are just looking for something to take offense at? Even the netizen comments don't really say "outraged" to me. Several of them even acknowledge that to foreigners, kimchi really does smell pretty awful, or talk about foods that are foreign to them that smell nasty.

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

Ehhh, it's the equivalent to someone walking in a flower shop run by Black ppl and saying the flowers all smell like chicken/watermelon/kool-aid. Or if a Latin American/Hispanic person owned it and the line was "It all smells like beans" or something. It's not a simple neurotic statement at all.

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

so much race fail

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

TBH I think the writers should be the ones who are criticized for even writing that dialogue in the first place.

Still what a mess tho.

[iznanassi.livejournal.com]

Lmao bc it's Emma Stone people are reaching for the stars trying to defend her and that movie

It's a racist af line and apparently they also use an anti-japanese slur???? I'm sick of the whole "ethnic people smell bad" jokes but white people in america appropriate the shit out of it, the amount of white-owned ~korean~ restaurants popping up bc of culinary food trends is ridiculous.

[cherrypop.livejournal.com]

But they should defend her. Because it's a character. It's a movie script. And guess what? Movie scripts reflect reality. They shouldn't sugarcoat themselves for overly sensitive people.

[donutism.livejournal.com]

Its a movie..

[kjesta.livejournal.com]

Oh, what's this? A pretentious movie that tries to be edgy by being offensive? Colour me with my sarcastic pencils!

I'm really fucking done with movies about white dudes in a midlife crisis. Yes yes, your life is suffering, keep making films about it, but I want to hear other people's stories too.

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

But this is just a line in the script o.o
It's not Emma Stone's fault or personal preference.

[+876, -119] But I'd be pissed too if a flower smelled like kimchi

Ahahaha XD If it's a flower then yes. A flower should never smell like fermented cabbage.

[tokyocinema.livejournal.com]

But this is just a line in the script o.o
It's not Emma Stone's fault or personal preference.

but with her influence, IMO, she could've suggested that they change the line.
Most writers/directors are open to working with actors about stuff like that
(except if you're John Waters or maybe Quentin Tarantino idk)

Of course, I adore her but just...;~;

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

The line was cringe worthy but watch the film. Her character is a waste of space in it.

[cherrypop.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding me.....??? You can hate her character, but why Emma Stone??? It's a MOVIE SCRIPT. If you want to criticize anyone, criticize the screenwriter. And by that logic, all actors and actress are racists if you judge them off of a MOVIE SCRIPT. Yes. I have to say it in caps because I can't get over how ridiculous this is.

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

I don't see anyone actually coming after Emma, I think the author of the article is just trying to drum up views. Its a line in a movie, so I don't see why its that big of a deal (personally) but I understand why viewers may be bothered by itit (esp if the line was as out of place and useless as some have said). I really hope ppl can tell the difference btwn a racist character and the actor playing the character.

[askbask.livejournal.com]

Kimchi smells bad that's why there are kimchi fridges to isolate the smell.

[age-ofconsent.livejournal.com]

yeah i was surprised i haven't seen any comments about that line anywhere

[lulubabie.livejournal.com]

So let me get this straight. They're butt hurt over a line a character made in a movie, but are A-OK with having comedians do black face......I don't get it.

[sheisagentleman.livejournal.com]

mte

[sheisagentleman.livejournal.com]

3. [+876, -119] But I'd be pissed too if a flower smelled like kimchi

lmao tell em netizen three, but yeah it was a way to show how rude and careless emma's character is, it wasnt like a joke or anything. she said that, angrily/"neurotic", to her dad when he asked her to pick up something that smelled nice. she was a mess for the whole, glorious, movie. but then again im not korean so maybe thats why i dont find it so terrible. bad taste yeah but not like they were saying "look at us being funny about koreans!"

[neumi.livejournal.com]

If the owner of the shop was French and she
said the flowers smelled like cheese that wouldn't be racist really, maybe racial. Either way Korean jingoists get offended by literally everything so WHATEVS.

[fiercediva.livejournal.com]

The character dies not say flowers smell like kimchi in a flower shop run by Koreans. She says it in a New York City Korean delicatessen that sells flowers... and food. She also says it because the shop owner is yelling at her to stop touching the flowers if she's not buying them and she is trying to insult him specifically. I would not have thought that meant that's how she feels about all Koreans from that exchange alone, plus her character is shown to be a hot mess in general.

I saw the film, which was meh, not a Best Picture imho, and I did not hear anyone call anyone "Jap". There was a Japanese reporter who didn't speak English using a translator, and he upsets Keaton's character by asking him if he plans to be Birdman in a 4th sequel when Birdman is what caused the actor to be typecast and ruined for casting in other roles, but IIRC the scene just ends abruptly.

Link to the screenplay -- written by Mexicans and an American of Armenian heritage, FWIW -- is at the bottom of this page:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/more-free-scripts-download-oscar-contenders-birdman-the-grand-budapest-hotel-wild-others-20141201

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

She says it in a New York City Korean delicatessen that sells flowers

This is what I was wondering, and it makes a huge difference tbh.

Was she actually smelling pungent kimchi and just obnoxiously searching for something to insult him with, or did she bring up the kimchi solely because he's Korean?

[lilybeth84.livejournal.com]

I say, "it smells like fucking kimchi" everytime I open my fridge. Because it does. Because there is kimchi in it.....