[merylsilverburg]

I never seen "The Aviator" either (only because I cannot stand DiCaprio) but I felt that would be a better choice as an Oscar win for Best Director than "The Departed" (which also has DiCaprio *sigh*). I guess my major gripe with the film, which may or may not have to do with directing, is that "The Departed" was a really Americanized remake of "Infernal Affairs." The original was subtle, the remake is all flashy. I was also a bit bugged that the film won for Best Screenplay too...from what I've read, a lot of scenes from the remake were scene-to-scene from the original. I don't know if it's true or not but that doesn't make me too pleased.

Originally Posted by Panuru

About the fact Infernal Affairs is considered and perceived as "Japanese" by the greatest part of Western, in particular American, audience. Shame on them! Such mistake is to be taken more seriously. It's a rather serious evidence of ignorance. That's one of the main reasons I refused to watch Memoirs of a Geisha: all those Chinese and Malaysian actresses to be taken as Japanese, and in typical Japanese roles, because of some superficial facial features... just absurd!

You know when I heard the announcement, all I can think of is what Ken Watanabe and his companion and Rinko Kikuchi were thinking. I mean, I felt embarrassed for them. And to some Westerner's credit, I do believe that a good portion does know that the film is from Hong Kong and not Japan. But I felt it was most stupid that the Academy, with all their claims that this year's Academy is the most "international," they made an error on a very simple thing.