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172-watt washing machine
I went and watched a movie today： “建国大业” (“the great undertaking of nation building” – [sorry about the poor translation]).
In short, the plot is about the years that preceded the foundation of the People’s Republic of China on October 1st 1949. 毛泽东 (Mao Zedong) is its hero, with 蒋介石 (Jiang Jieshi or Chiang Kai-shek) being his natural antipode.
An average film, not very pretty, although it cost the producers an alleged shitload of money.
There are a few things that stand out about this movie though.
First of all, 毛泽东 is being depicted just as I like him best: perfectly cool, always outsmarting his opponents, and constantly smoking (idols coming to town). …well, this might not be so particular after all.
The second thing interesting about this movie is its cast – it looks like the elite of China’s film industry has been completely assembled, with some websites spotting a total of 172 (!) stars to appear during the 145 minutes of the film. (陈) 成龙 (Jackie Chan), 李连杰 (Jet Li), 章子怡 (Zhang Ziyi) might be among the most widely known in the Western hemisphere. Well, and if you liked “霸王别姬” (“farewell my concubine”) or ”荆轲刺秦王“ (“the emperor and the assassin”), then you might find it interesting to hear that 陈凯歌 (Chen Kaige) assisted in directing this one, among 3 other directors.
The third thing that stands out about this movie: It has come out only a couple of days prior to the 60th anniversary the P.R. China, during a time when Internet access has been confined to government-friendly sites, and travel has been limited as well in certain regions, so what else could this movie be but…
…complete brainwash?
Just to give you a taste: there is actually a part in the movie that shows sinister ongoings within the 国民党 (KMT or Chinese Nationalist Party) and then immediately cuts to a scene of 毛泽东 (Mao Zedong) and 周恩来 (Zhou Enlai) playing piggyback with little children in front of a backdrop of pink flowers and grass.
No need to elaborate, is there?
…or so I thought.
I spent the rest of the night going off about the immorality of the movie and the virtue of free thinking etc.etc.
Then I got out of the cab, walked up some stairs, said hi to the guard, and took the elevator up to the place I live.
It was only there in my room that I suddenly remembered another terrible movie I had seen before: “Independence Day” (1996).
And it suddenly dawned on me: they were exactly the same washing mashines!
There were just more watts in this one.
Soundtrack: 李双江 – “太阳最红，毛主席最亲” （Li Shuangjiang – “reddest sun, most beloved Chairman Mao”)
September 22nd, 2009 at 22:29
the official translation is "the founding of a republic" ^_^
film is so so….too many stars stacked
another interesting news was that it was said all the stars would like take the role as the communists rather than KMT…
September 22nd, 2009 at 22:52
成龙
September 23rd, 2009 at 00:09
Hey,
i watched ur video and it's amazing :)
i'm trying to make a video of my experience in usa but i need a program that would fast forward throw my pics
any ideas?
sorry i'm not on topic
September 23rd, 2009 at 02:58
TZ: Thanks for your comment! I really appreciate the additional input! :)
anita: 哈哈，我一直把他名字打错，不知道为什么。。。
stefi: no worries, just get a regular video editing software. Or maybe Picasa could do the job?
September 23rd, 2009 at 09:56
cool, he´s back again! :-)
September 25th, 2009 at 14:09
hey christoph! your site IS back up!! i'm just catching up here, and so glad to see you back at it. Now…. more pictures, man! more pictures!!!!
September 27th, 2009 at 11:35
Hi Christoph! I just came across this site a few days ago & have been reading your posts ever since. Only as far as Feb 8 '08 (my bday, oddly enuf) but am going to keep reading all of it! Awesome pics! Love it! I also found your youtube video thru iTunes, in the bestofyoutube podcast (i see someone else had as well). Its amazing to see all the different people you met & everything you saw. I used to travel all over the US when I was in college but it got too expensive. I've never been overseas- but someday! So, I envy you :)
Anyway.. Wish you well in Shanghai! Hope things continue to go well for you & I will keep on reading from where I left off. :)
September 28th, 2009 at 07:53
HI,I'm purple,I saw your Video online–"北京-新疆".
I hope be friends with you.
purplelym@hotmail.com
Nice to see you !
October 7th, 2009 at 23:48
HAHAHA~~~
you're so cute
take it easy
it's just a movie
we just want to see stars….
October 22nd, 2009 at 00:15
Are you comparing the scifi movie to a government created propaganda film? Are you serious?
October 22nd, 2009 at 02:53
becci: Hehe, back on the map!
john: Yes sir!
Jules: Thank you very much, I hope you're reading it with pleasure, because it sure was a pleasure writing it!
purple: Hey!
CRAZYGIRL: Yes, I think this might be the best way to treat this problem. It's only entertainment! :)
Kevcham: You seem to disagree?