1) Written by: Crystal
2) Title: Avatar: The View from China
3) Source: Times Online
http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2010/01/avatar-the-view-from-china.html
4) Author: Michael Moran
5) Date of Publishing: 15th Jan 2010
Summary:
The news was mainly about the views from Chinese audiences towards the new 3D movie “Avatar” recently. Avatar had achieved a great success in China since the film opened and drew forth a lot of comments about the plot: how Na’vi, a native group, protected their home from exploration by others. Some of the Chinese audiences regarded the movie as an innuendo of Chinese government’s land-exploitation and violent eviction. They hold the opinion that the Na’vi in the movie were a reflection of a Chinese “nail house” or someone challenged the authorities. The article also quoted two bloggers from China, Han Han and A Cup of Green Tea. Both of them pointed out the resemblance of the movie to real situation in China.
My own view:
Similarly, I also found the similarities between the Na’vi native group and “nail houses”. Both of them did not give in the powerful authorities and tried to prevent their home from destroying. Moreover, both of them did not accept the advices from the authorities and paid a lot for their persistence. Na'vi finally succeeded, while "nail houses" always eventuate in a failure.
However, I did not agree with some ideas in the news. Firstly, for most times, the “nail houses” chose to use their lives to threaten or just persist for a more acceptable condition, not just based on their love toward their homeland, which is different with Na’vi in the movie. Also, I do not think that the exploitation and eviction only happened in China as Han Han had claimed. As a blogger on Times Online said, “It probably could happen only in China, unless you happen to be an Australian Maralinga or a South Seas islander living on a bomb test site.” In the other area of the world, violent exploitation even without informing also happened and led to a terrible life and great loss to local residents. I wondered the reason why people only focused on China every time there were unpleasant innuendoes in works of art. Maybe we should give more attention on the idea about “love of home”, “dignity” or “greed” in the movie, not only the situation in China which had already draw attention of authorities long before and been improved to a certain extent.
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I strongly agree that the exploitation and eviction did not only happen in China. There must also be some issues of this kind happening in other places, since there will always be old buildings which need to be rebuilt and there will always be people who do not want to leave the original places. Besides, what happened in the film is only similar to China's situation on surface phenomena. The government, who want to drive Na'vi away in the film, was actually looking for resources and wanted to rob them. However, in China's case, the government wants to move the people because it wants to give people a better place to live in. Hence, the two things are different essentially. We cannot refer China's government as the invader in the film.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, the case that a woman burnt herself in the old house is really rare. Many people know that the government wants to refine their living conditions, so they cooperate well. Only the minority cannot think through the truth. I think China should pay more attention on the negotiation part. We can train more negotiators which can help the government to carry out its policy instead of using hard-line methods. Thus, tragedies like this will be decreased.
By Brandy
I agree with you that the movie cannot totally reflect the situation of Chinese government’s land-exploitation and violent eviction. Actually, I do not admit the eviction in China is violent, I think despite the methods they use to help the move out, their purpose is good to us. They want to make the city more beautiful and make their people live in a better place. This is the first reason which we cannot compare the movie with China. The second reason is what you have mentioned that the Na’vi native group’s loves towards their homeland make them persist to stay, but to some “mail houses”, money is what they want.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, I think it is not a proper way to compare the movie with the situation of Chinese government’s land-exploitation and violent eviction, and the movie is also not an innuendo of Chinese government.
by Peter
I see with you that it is not that significant to associate Avatar with the situation in China. I think your reasons are quite persuasive and convincing. Most importantly, you just catch the core of the movie just like me:-)
ReplyDeleteEvery moviegoer has his or her own perspective on this film, so those who may be discontent with certain problems would concern more about the reflection on their problems. Some may see ethnic cleansing, some may see environmental deterioration, some may see... Since there does exist the contradiction between the Chinese government and relocated households, it is not strange to see those relevant reflection. Actually,I am happy to see that certain group of people who defend their rights against the authority could make their voice heard by the whole society and provoke a discussion.
In a word, there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes. Just immerse in the film and explore the fantastic land. Knotty problems? See them later.
By Kyle