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Media regulation
Self-esteem for domestic cinemaPosted by Joel Martinsen, March 8, 2007 2:47 AM
Here's a skit from a DragonTV Spring Festival program that mocks China's film industry by pitting commercial blockbusters (the imperial court) against upstart indie art films (the assassins): "Night Banquet on the Chrysanthemum Dais" - certainly much funnier than anything in CCTV's gala (once you get past the lame laugh track and sound effects). Not everyone agrees, however. On Tuesday, a high-level SARFT offical criticized this skit at the Administration's weekly meeting, the Mirror reported on Wednesday.
Ironically, the DragonTV skit concludes with sentiments that SARFT should appreciate - a call for art films and commercial films to work together to defeat Hollywood. The Mirror chose this short report as the target of its daily political cartoon, which references "The Emperor's New Clothes" - the naked man's helmet reads "blockbuster." Here's the snide caption:
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Comments on Self-esteem for domestic cinema
It's the thinking of that high level SARFT official that is still in a developmental phase. Chinese TV would be far more entertaining if it were not for him and others like him.
The purpose of Chinese movies is not to defeat Hollywood, whether for the commercial films or the art ones, I think. There should be more movies which are reflecting the present and real China, recording our life, our changes, our special culture. We are tired of the visional and ridiculous stories.
There's a whole generation of influential Chinese that are going to spend the rest of their lives moaning. Best to keep quiet and let them work up the blood pressure :)
wellknown.
It is hard for power to enjoy or incorporate humour and satire in its system of control.
Dario Fo