Chinese crosstalk parvenu Guo Degang was recently criticized for his acting in a recent film Getting Home. In it, the role Guo Degang plays is that of a highwayman who speaks in Henan Dialect. Many people from Henan Province expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming Guo Degang's acting reveals a strong discrimination against their province.
There are no more martial arts films on Chinese screens this year. The Chinese film masters are all preparing for their own projects starring such many big names as Chow Yun-Fat, Andy Lau and Tony Leung.
The Hubei-based Changjiang Times comments that it's natural to use dramatic or even exaggerated gestures for artistic purposes in movies. To some extent, it adds, the movie language is not necessarily accurate to real life. The use of local dialects is injected for the purpose of adding some folk flavor to the movie, as well as for the creation of fun effects.
However, the Red Net says that Guo Degang's performance actually reveals a common problem in the creation of many crosstalks and comic skits nowadays.
Without enough humorous or comical content, practicers resort to dialects for help. And there has been a hackneyed use of stereotypes, exploiting certain dialects.
For example, businessmen usually have a Guangdong accent, while farmers speak in a Shanxi accent, and men with a Shanghai accent always have a sissy look.
(CRI.cn February 16, 2007)
