Hot on the Iron Man 3 promotional trail, Robert Downey Jr. was in Beijing on Saturday, and basically showed everyone what publicity done right looks like. Reports People’s Daily (Downey’s quotes, all):
I have been longing to come to China an it’s a dream that has come true.
In the West we think we understand China but we don’t. What we see on TV, what we get from news, we assume that’s our experience, [but] it’s incorrect.
So I made it my business to pay attention to what’s going on culturally and also some of the other traditional aspects of Chinese culture. I am very interested in martial arts, and I am very interested in traditional medicine.
Adds Hollywood Reporter:
“I’m interested in all things Chinese and I live a very Chinese life in America,” said the actor during an on-stage panel discussion with his co-star Wang Xueqi and Wu Bing, president of the film’s Chinese co-producer DMG Entertainment, at the press launch of the film at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Saturday morning.
…When asked before heading into the gala event about what kind of film he would make in China if he is to produce beyond an action film in the country, Downey said: “I think Chinese culture just responds to good cinema, the same we give Academy Awards to Chinese films in the past. It really depends on the subject matter and the timing and what the audiences want I guess.”
He said he deemed his trip to China – his first – an essential way of understanding the country. “Just like when I was watching on a show today, that people get an idea of each other from the news, which is not necessarily the best way. It is better to go and immerse yourself in that culture and make up your own mind,” he said.
Downey turned 48 on Thursday, and received a birthday card signd by more than 5,300 people. He can make whatever movie he wants in China.
(Image DMG Entertainment)
DOWNEY IS A TRAITOR TO HUMANKIND. WHY NOT FREE TIBET? HERE HE HAD A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO LIBERATE THE CHINESE PEOPLE FROM THEIR OPPRESSORS AND HE CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROMOTE HIS OWN SHITTY SELLOUT FILM? PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY DYING EVERY DAY AND THIS GUY JUST KOWTOWED TO THE COMMUNIST PARTY INSTEAD OF USING HIS CELEBRITY TO SAVE THE WORLD LIKE ANGELINA JOLIE! I WILL BE VOTING WITH MY DOLLARS AND ONLY SEEING IRON MAN 3 ON DVD!
First of all, I will let you in on a secret. Its called the “Cap Lock” key; its located above the left SHIFT key. You should tap this CAP LOCK key so that it is de-activated, in order to write better and have people take you more seriously.
Second of all… Robert Downey Jr. had the opportunity to “Free Tibet?” Wow. He IS Iron Man!
BTW, how can Tibet be made free? The Chinese people are just going to listen to him and them pressure their government to make one of China’s provinces become an independent sovereign state? And if that was to happen, what about the non-Tibetan peoples living in the Region of Tibet… meaning the ethnic Chinese and ethnic Chinese Muslims who together make up the majority of the populace? Do you think it would be good for humanity if they were “cleansed” from the Region?
Or maybe you are just talking about religious and personal freedoms? If so, I got to ask… why should Tibetans get personal and religious freedoms first, before any other citizen of China? And why wouldn’t yet GET ALL ANGRY AND RIGHT IN ALL CAPS ABOUT LACK OF FREEDOM FOR ALL CHINESE (NATIONALITY) PEOPLE…Why then focus just on Tibet? Just wondering.
A very valid point, however, I think he was joking. But, then again I could be wrong.
Now that I look at his name, I think you are right. My bad; failure to understand ironic humor. It’s just… I have seen quite a few posts at other boards/ blogs that say the same type of thing, and are quite serious about it.
But you’ve just proved that you are not able to tell if someone is serious or not.
Chinese Americans will complain about the stereotyping in this movie. Why are the Chinese always depicted as saving the day with their ancient knowledge?
Of course Downey likes China.
You need an iron stomach to survive this place.
I could hear China’s balls slapping his chin all the way here in Wenzhou.
The actor said, “the same we give Academy Awards to Chinese films in the past.” Uh, outside of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” what Chinese film has won an Academy Award? Very few Chinese films have even been nominated.
So. I guess Downey promotes his movies differently from Christian Bale.
Leave politics out of being a movie star – even though I agree with Christian Bale and his attempt to meet Cheng Guangchen, you should just keep your focus on your job.
There’s a reason that politicians don’t make movies – see all those utterly, utterly shit Mao-circle jerks for the 60th Anniversary celebrations. And there’s good reason why movie stars don’t make good politicians.