our hiro in HOLLYWOOD....part 1

i wanted to explain some thoughts i have regarding the concerns that some fans have expressed about our sanada san's career direction.

please understand that this is ONLY my personal opinion.   but it IS based on FACT, research and a small bit
of understanding about some of the intricacies of the industry.  

i want to preface these comments with the statement that i would LOVE to see our hiro in a STARRING role, and quite honestly, in a JAPANESE role, because i love his voice....and it is so wonderful to hear the ease of his articulation and expression, when he has an opportunity to speak in his native tongue.  

altho i like his contemporary japanese roles, the edo period roles are my FAVORITE, as his grace and strength are a sight to behold!  :) and of course, ANY film where sanada san has more "screen time", would ALWAYS be welcomed!   
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it completely breaks my heart when i know that had hiro been 10 years younger, the options for his exposure would
have been COMPLETELY different (and easier),  and MUCH broader, in this time of technology.  also, quite frankly, with the ASIAN factor being more of a "trend", as we develop a more global awareness....the industry is 'opening'....but still, LARGE barriers exist. 

but what is SO IMPORTANT to understand about our guy is that HE is SUCH a TRAIL BLAZER in his efforts to BREAK DOWN those BARRIERS.   (or as he calls it...build bridges)    it is BEYOND courageous of him....i cannot imagine the strength of character it has taken for him to PERSEVERE with such earnestness, and steadfastness.  TRULY remarkable.   and to know that  a big part of his INTENT is to OPEN those doors for actors who are 10 years or more YOUNGER than he is, so that it will be EASIER for THEM....i mean, the dude really IS a hero.

i know that many fans are concerned about the direction hiro's career is taking, and while i recognize how it may be PERCEIVED....i personally, am ABSOLUTELY AMAZED by what our guy has been able to accomplish, in such a short period of time!  AND the TRULY astounding  thing is that he is doing this, in a variety of roles....AND in FOREIGN (to him) languages!   not just ONE, (english) but TWO! (mandarin chinese)   (i believe it was jane, from michelle yeoh, who told me that michelle, chow yun fat and tony leung chu wai are/were OFTEN dubbed in mandarin!) 

hiro tackling the language barrier  is such a feat, as this is being accomplished WITHOUT HIRO HAVING HAD THE BENEFIT OF HAVING EVER LIVED ('grown up' or 'schooled')  IN THE UNITED STATES OR BRITAIN!!!   the asian actors who are proficient in english skills ALL were either born in hong kong - (british rule) - AND/OR spent several years of their youth LIVING in england!  (maggie cheung born hong kong, moved to britain at age 8 , michelle yeoh born malaysia, spoke english and malasian prior to speaking chinese, tony leung chu wai, born hong kong, chow yun fat, born hong kong)

it makes me so sad when i hear people worrying that his career is on the decline, because that is not how i view it.
(and certainly, i am no expert)  

but sometimes  i feel that we need to remember that what he did (by CHOICE) was to move OUT of his COMFORT zone and take on the challenge of carving out a 'NEW' path.    (hiro is libra, but i believe he has many planets in scorpio, and part of their nature is to 'transform' and 'regenerate'....so this urge in him has ALWAYS been present).

remember the LEAP of faith he took, when, he was already an established ACTION STAR.... and he changed directions, and took on the serious acting roles? (was it mahjong movie?).  

back then, he was willing to work from the ground up.  and he took a WIDE variety of roles, (NOT all of them STARRING roles)....for the experience of learning, etc. 

his 'second' phase of acting in japan took him to t.v. roles as well....and if i can recall misty's breakdown of hiro's career, he even had a 'stalled' phase...and was it the t.v. series a story of love, that led to  RINGU, and brought him BACK to the public eye, and a NEW resurgence?  

his japan career is NOT what i know, except thru the generous amounts of information and analysis that michi san has shared with us.    i just feel that if we can think back on the journey he took with THAT phase of his career....we can trust more of what THIS next incarnation of hiro's career will lead to.    and remember...THAT phase, was in JAPAN (so he already had the recognition factor in place) ...AND IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE.    hiro was NOT KNOWN here in hollywood!

so altho it might NOT SEEM like it...when i began to 'study' this subject...it's really unbelievable what he is steadily accomplishing....(IMO)

this is a 3 part blog...in honor of hiro's 3rd phase of his career.   (not counting his 'child year's....) 

so stay tuned as i share with you next,  the 'backdrop' of asian actors in hollywood.    thanks to you tube....it will be so fascinating to get the 'true picture'.    so....until part deux....adieu...