Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino”
Posted: Sunday, December 14, 2008
“Gran Torino” is the upcoming film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood and a group of talented Hmong Asian American actors. “Gran Torino” will be the first film since “Million Dollar Baby” where Mr. Eastwood will star in and direct. Clint Eastwood portrays a Korean War Veteran who is forced by his Hmong Asian American neighbor to confront his racial prejudices after his teenager neighbor, Tao Vang Lor, attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. The Hmong actors used improvised Hmong and English dialogue to create an authentic film to help convey the Hmong culture. A lively debate has already begun within the Hmong community regarding the accurate portrayal of the Hmong culture in the movie. Actor and friend of the AAFilmLab, Doua Moua plays Fong/ Spider, Tao Vang Lor’s older cousin and the antagonist role in the film. “Gran Torino” opened on Friday Dec. 12th.





