|
Reader comments on Hero
Subject: Re: Joshua tried but he still does not get it
Date: Aug 28, 2004
Well ... being someone that was born in China and raised in China and also other parts of the world ... but not in USA. I totally disagree with your view.
To say that Chinese people don't care how ruthless their dictator is in getting into power but as long as he rules well ... is simply wrong.
The truth is, Chinese people don't care about politics as long as politics leaves people alone.
One has to wonder about the storyline though, this movie was funded by the Chinese government, the director was picked by the Chinese government. I am not aware of who decided on the story or the ploy, so I can't comment on that.
The intent of this movie is to defeat Couching Tiger at the box office and at the Oscars. In my opinion, neither of these objectives were achieved.
Did you know that many of China's population have never seen Couching Tiger? But they will all tell you that surely, Hero is a superior film.
Previous: Re: Joshua tried but he still does not get it | Next: Re: Joshua tried but he still does not get it
Respond to this message |
Return to original article: Hero
|
Response to this comment:
Joshua tried but he still does not get it
It is true that on the surface, HERO seems propaganda for Red China. But one key concept voids this arguement. I will give Joshua handicap in this matter as he is not a Chinese raised in Chinese Asia.
Non-Western educated people do not think of dictatorship as Western educated people do. Remember, for thousands of years, Chinese have looked up to their leaders to guide them. From dynasty to dynasty, when the dictator/emperor/king became out of control, a revolt, led by a no name farmer/whatever with the support of the people will rsult in the no name farmerbecoming the first emperor of a new dynasty. It is arrogant for Westerners to want to impose their political system and beliefs on non-Westerners and/or their artform which is generated from non-western beliefs. Also, it is arrogant for Westerners to believe that if others do not think as they do, they are inferior. Of course, We who live here in this "free" country, may feel we are more enlightened and superior than the others...nonetheless, have we ever ponder for a moment, does the rest of the people in the non-western world care about what we think?
One of the real message of this film is not much "leave us along". Rather, it is, "We don't care what you think of us and we don't want what you have. Then leave us along. Mind your own business and we will mind our own business." When you look at the political implication of this film...do not look at what history says about the First Emperor. Rather, look at the intention of the First Emperor and the approval of his intention by the Chinese tradition. For Chinese, if the First Emperor did what he did and managed China properly subsequently, he would have been recorded as a glorious ruler of a long lasting dynasty. Of course, he did managed poorly and was considered by Chinese historians a "despot". Remember, every "first" ruler of a new dynasty fought against the government and killed off the left over from the last dynasty. Chinese do not care what and how it takes for the rulers to get to the position of power. Rather, it is in how the ruler takes care of the people after he obtains power that matters. And it is in this intention/message of the film, where Westerners viewing this film can come to understand why Chinese were/are the way they were/are.
It is not easy for non-Westerners to deem the concept, "the needs of the many out weight the needs of a few." NON-EVIL. As this violates the fundamental ideas of what Americans believe. And most Americans see the world only in black and white. I see no problem with that. However, to tie the ideas suggested in this film with Birth of a Nation and Triumph of the Will may be too far fretched. Here the film maker is trying to speak of the true essence of what makes a Chinese Chinese. While these other films are suggesting variant political systems that lurk within the Western/Christian belief system and approving them. HERO is about what is China and what is Chinese; not about "Western" style conquer and exploit and using some form of justifcation to make it good/Christian.
When you watch this film, realize that the various characters represent various opinions Chinese people have regarding the Chinese system. The sum of it all is Jet Li's character representing the heart, intellect and the soul. NoName questions the worthiness of the Chinese leadership. As you can see, the Chinese people/Nameless/Jet Li, has no problem with the fact that the Frist Emperor is a dictator who used ruthless methods to achieve his place, rather, the Chinese people is concern with whether the First Emperor "will" be a "good" dictator for the people. And when No Name felt this dictator understood what it may to be the ruler of the contry..its huge responsibilites, No Name was willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the "governing" will be done.
This is the fundatmental difference between the Oriental political system and Western system. Mindboggling if you would, or as the Reviewer called it "evil." But I believe one should not discredit the film because it reveals to us a different system of beliefs.
There was a recent quote by the Director saying that now that he thought of it, he used the wrong emperor for what he wanted to say. Because every first emperor did exactly the same thing...it is just that this First Emperor did not govern wisely while others did. Thus this fact has caused distraction to what the Director was really trying to get across...which is Chinese believes in (or used to believe in) the needs of the few is not as important as the needs of the many.
|
Comment index:
Hero from Emily, Aug 25, 2004
» Re: Joshua tried but he still does not get it « from jyipdragon, Aug 28, 2004
truth from What's American, Sep 7, 2004
thanks from barb, Aug 28, 2004
Awesome from Dan Omlor, Sep 13, 2004
Re: But from skeptikos, Dec 26, 2004
hero from tso t'an, Feb 21, 2005
ask from mujahid, Mar 31, 2006
Re: ask from Bubba Hotep, Apr 11, 2006
??? from Kessel, Nov 4, 2007
Bravo from tsering, May 29, 2010
Hero from Emily, Aug 25, 2004
» Re: Joshua tried but he still does not get it « from jyipdragon, Aug 28, 2004
truth from What's American, Sep 7, 2004
thanks from barb, Aug 28, 2004
Awesome from Dan Omlor, Sep 13, 2004
Re: But from skeptikos, Dec 26, 2004
hero from tso t'an, Feb 21, 2005
ask from mujahid, Mar 31, 2006
Re: ask from Bubba Hotep, Apr 11, 2006
??? from Kessel, Nov 4, 2007
Bravo from tsering, May 29, 2010
|
|
|
