Global Voices Online » 2006 » February

Stories

To Show Or Not To Show In China

Tian Yi · 10:55

The big Hollywood production Memoir of A Geisha is having a tough time landing in China’s movie theaters. The movie was adapted from Arthur Golden's bestselling novel of the same title, telling the life story of a traditional Japanese courtesan around World War II. It was directed by Rob Marshall of the Chicago fame.

The movie has been generating controversy in both China and Japan for casting actresses of Chinese descent for all three leading roles of Japanese geishas: Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li are from Mainland China, and Michelle Yeoh is from Malaysia via Hong Kong but of Chinese descent .

The film was reported to have received the approval from China's powerful film regulator SARFT (State Administration of Radio, Film and Television) which was later reversed by senior officials. Ostensibly, the officials were concerned that the film may further the current anti-Japan sentiment in China . In 2005, anti-Japanese protests erupted in some major Chinese cities after Japan revised one of its history textbooks regarding the country’s past in WWII. The government had to crack down on the protests to prevent them from getting out of hand. Pictures of a nude sex scene, purported to come from the movie and include the Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, traveled widely on the Internet, fanning anti-Japanese sentiment before the film’s premier. Representing this sentiment, one Chinese blogger angrily demanded:

[translated] Zhang Ziyi, when you stripped naked under the body of a Japanese, did you think about yourself being Chinese? This year is the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender to us. Did you forget history? Did you forget the shame our nation had suffered? …

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KenyanSphere This Week

Marc · 10:25

Over the last few weeks Kenyans have been spoilt for choice when it comes to topics to discuss.

First off there was the bombshell dropped by John Githongo, the anti-graft czar who fled to London for his safety after getting too close to the truth. He finally released the painstakingly crafted dossier that implicated three ministers in the Kibaki Government and the vice president in corrupt dealings with ghost companies that cost the public billions of shillings. Naturally this report is the talk of the town and is flying around the Internet like wildfire.

Then there was the collapse of the half -finished building at Nyamakima market

Whispering Inn points out that the blame can be laid at the Minister for Local Government and his former assistant minister, since a report detailing the failures had been at their disposal for almost a year, and the owner of the building enjoyed their patronage.

Irena bemoans the inability of the Kenyan Government to react to disasters as the Israelis fly in to aid the rescue efforts as the Kenyan officials on the ground are clearly floundering

Then there was the generous donation of dog food from a kindly benefactor in New Zealand

Whispering Inn is of the opinion that it belies a Government that has failed in its responsibilities.

Mshairi voices her opinion in poetry, with an emphatic no to the donation of the dog food.

The Kenyan Pundit ruminates on moving back home, with some hard hitting advice:

In my experience, you first have to commit to the idea of going back. Like really commit. No ten year plans. No once I make this much money. Cut the crap. Wake up and say I’m moving back. Then make a plan. Then a plan B and C. You’ll need them

The Mad Kenyan Woman has some interesting commentary on the myth that is the Strong Black Woman

Raymond lands back in Kenya and is dismayed at the state of the infrastructure, notably the Nakuru-Nairobi road, and urges the youth to step up to the plate of leadership

Brother Jero pays tribute to Coretta Scott King

Curious is tired of the proliferation of rhetoric masquerading as initiatives to aid Africa and stumbles upon a paper by a kindred spirit

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The Jordanian Blogosphere Reacts to the Danish Cartoons

Roba Al Assi · 06:37

Like a lot of the blogosphere, the topic that has been taking over Jordanian blogs in the past two weeks is the infamous Danish cartoons:

Ameen Malhas of Banzeen says, “Freedom of speech must be protected. We moan and whine when Muslims are attacked in other countries because of actions ‘fringe elements’ have taken, but we’re so willing to attack other people when their innocent actions OFFEND us. We need a plan of action, we need to escape this cycle of doom, not only is the world moving forward without us, we’re actually regressing.”

Tololy says, “Prophet Mohammad to Muslims is the guide that ushered light into their lives, by delivering the message of Divinity to peoples of all races and times. Understanding the reverence and respect Muslims have for their Prophet is essential in untangling this web of reactions.”

Lina of Into the Wind says, “May be the solution is not a short-term action that we take in direct response to this, but a continuous effort to build our societies, to work for more awareness, more openness, more cultural and political development, to have a generation of young people who are not just either apathetic or reactive.”

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Afghan Whispers: Hamas, Democracy and Cartoons

Farid Pouya · 00:59

Afghan Warrior explains the reasons why Hamas won election:

“The Islamic Hamas party have won the election in Palestine and their victory was unexpected to some countries and they showed their concern over the victory of Hamas party. In my opinion now we should admit their victory because they were selected by Palestinian people. The Hamas party has been helping the poor Palestinian people and therefore people voted for them”.

Dialogue 3 says Afghan people are not ready for democracy because the majority of them are poor and illiterate. The first thing they want is security and then daily bread. The blogger says most people did not participate in Afghan parliament’s election. According to him, economic growth is needed first to lead country to democray. (Link in Persian)

Niko Bad ( Good & Evil) writes that the Muhammad cartoons in the Danish newspaper wanted to give a violent image to Islam & Prophet which is not acceptable for anyone and Moslems have the right to be upset. He disagrees with violent demonstrations and says burning flags and embassies are not acceptable and this kind of behaviour will just reinforce the message of the cartoons. (Link in Persian)

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