UPDATE, 7/16/10: This giveaway is closed. The final winner list is posted.
With summer Hollywood movies such as The Karate Kid and The Last Airbender catching the attention of Asian Americans– for better or for worse– the next one on my radar is Christopher Nolan’s Inception, which opens on Friday, July 16.
Leonardo DiCaprio is the top-billed actor but, Ken Watanabe is the second-billed star in this highly-anticipated blockbuster with the role of Saito (The Tourist). The sci-fi action film also has a nice showing of a couple of Asian American actors– Dileep Rao (in a co-starring role) and Yuji Okumoto (of Karate Kid II fame)– in notable roles.
Although Watanabe plays the villain to DiCaprio’s character Dom Cobb (The Extractor), the Saito character still one of the most significant dramatic Hollywood roles for an Asian actor in years.
The part was specifically written for Watanabe by writer/director Christopher Nolan. “I wrote the part specifically for Ken because I wanted to work with him again I enjoyed directing him so much on Batman Begins, but his role was smaller and we didn’t have a lot of time together,” said Nolan. “This time I made sure he had a bigger part. Ken is an extremely charismatic performer, a true movie star. He is a consummate actor who knows how to get the most out of every scene. It’s just a pleasure to watch him work.”
Well, I’m just glad there’s a major Hollywood film this summer that not only stars both Asian and Asian American actors but that people aren’t threatening to protest!
Ok, ok, so you just want to know how you can win some free Inception gear? Read on!
What you could win from 8Asians & Warner Bros: An Inception Prize Package!
What’s in the Inception Prize Package?
An Inception hat, cup, and t-shirt (sorry, you don’t get to pick the size), like in the picture.
How do you enter?
Answer a trivia question* about the movie and supply your contact info at this Google Docs form: http://bit.ly/8Asians-Inception
Question #1) What theater company did Ken Watanabe begin his acting career at?
Question #2) Name 3 of the 6 countries that ‘Inception’ was filmed in.
Question #4) Why is Ken Watanabe’s character (Saito) referred to as “The Tourist?”
Can I enter more than once? Yes! But pay attention! The trivia question will change throughout the run of this giveaway, so please check back often! (Please enter ONE TIME per trivia question!)
I never had to fill out any forms before to enter a contest here! Why do I have to do this now? We’re just trying to capture all the info needed to fulfill the prizes faster. And also, this way the answers to the trivia questions don’t get posted in the comments.
BONUS: Leave a short comment here sharing some thoughts about why you want to see this film or why you want to win the prize. (Doing this doesn’t increase your chances of winning, but it certainly doesn’t hurt!)
Hurry, we will be announcing winners until all the prizes are gone so the sooner you enter, the better!
FIFTEEN lucky winners will be selected and contacted until the prizes are gone.
UPDATE: As of 7/16, this giveaway is closed. Answers to trivia question and winners are announced here!
Rules for entering:
1) Please be in the US or Canada. Sorry, we will not be shipping anywhere else!
2) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.
Prizes courtesy of: 8Asians and Warner Bros.
