Current location:opinions >>
VOX POPULI: China remains same heartless nation as seen in grim 1984 film
opinions98People have gathered around
IntroductionThe impression one gets from watching a film for the first time may keep drastically changing with e ...
The impression one gets from watching a film for the first time may keep drastically changing with every viewing.
For me, a case in point is the 1984 Chinese film “Yellow Earth,” the directorial debut for Chen Kaige, who was forced to live in a rural area during the Cultural Revolution.
With refreshing sensitivity, Chen tells a story set in a bleak village in the barren backwoods of northwest China.
A young Communist Party soldier traveling around the nation on a mission teaches a young village girl about the outside world.
With great pride, he speaks of an ideal future society where all people are equal.
When I first saw this film, I sensed something propagandist about this soldier’s too-good-to-be-true goodness.
And when I saw it again, I realized this could be a metaphor of sorts.
Everything the soldier says is utterly right and proper, but the Communist Party could not--or would not--save even one hapless young girl.
As if in accusation of that sort of hypocrisy, the voice of the girl shouting, “The Communist Party saves the entire nation,” is drowned out by the sounds of the rushing river.
A Chinese woman died in Tokyo last week. This was not a movie but a real story.
Tang Zhengqi, 27, a student in Japan, suddenly became ill three years ago and remained in a coma until her death on Feb. 2o.
Her father in China, Tang Jitian, wanted to travel to Japan to be with her.
But because he is a prominent human rights lawyer, Beijing refused to let him leave the country.
The reason the authorities gave was that his visit to Japan could “imperil China’s national security.”
How could national security possibly be jeopardized by a father being with his dying daughter?
China has become so prosperous and powerful, yet the government continues tormenting the people by abusing their human rights at will.
I am frustrated and angry beyond words.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 27
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Sphere news portal”。http://chile.downmusic.org/content-43c099952.html
Related articles
Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
opinionsST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Uber and Lyft plan to keep operating in Minnesota after the state Legislature ...
【opinions】
Read moreBill disestablishing Māori Health Authority to go through Parliament under urgency today
opinionsPhoto: RNZ / Angus Dreaver ...
【opinions】
Read moreProperty listings hit near
opinionsPhoto: RNZ / Marika Khabazi ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
- Why the Algarve has been named the top destination for a bargain break in Europe
- Pioneer women surfers reflect on their struggle for recognition
- New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy suspends run for U.S. Senate
- Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
- Plane passengers rate their airline breakfasts
Latest articles
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
Auckland protesters hold empty plates to highlight hunger in Gaza
Pictured: Twelve jaw
China celebrates 100 years of Communist Party
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy suspends run for U.S. Senate
LINKS
- Billionaire Barry Diller and fashion designer wife Diane von Furstenberg pay $45million for 1.5
- India elections 2024: Colorful roadshows, rallies mark start of poll season
- Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Sydney clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
- European Union questions TikTok on new app that pays users for watching
- Taylor Swift fans are scammed out of more than £1 million by ticket fraudsters
- California game store thief is wrestled to ground during robbery
- US court rejects a request by tribes to block $10B energy transmission project in Arizona
- European Union questions TikTok on new app that pays users for watching
- Apple CEO says company is 'looking at' manufacturing in Indonesia
- EU leaders want to talk competitiveness. Middle East tensions and Ukraine top their summit list