Monday, September 12, 2005
Roll Me Over
Well, the title has nothing to do with what I'm about to unravel. (But seriously, how many @ers did I have thinking, or even humming, that song now? Be honest.)
Last night I watched Xiu Xiu, the Sent Down Girl. I don't think I've been this depressed since watching Bjork's Dancer in the Dark. Well, the Bjork movie was tragic for two things: the acting (or the lack thereof) and the premise that this poor immigrant woman is becoming blind, taken advantage of sexually and financially by her neighbor, and her life is basically falling apart. Half way through the movie, I wanted to gouge my eyes out and repress suicidal tendencies (well, not really - BeeLee and I were rochambaux-ing to see who should put her out of misery).
In any case, the Chinese Cultural Revolution screwed Wen Xiu very badly (literally and figuratively). Loss of innocense and dramatic irony makes me very queasy, but I couldn't take my eyes away. As the reeducation movements spread to the outskirts of China and there were fewer order and watchful eyes, the more chaotic and lawless the movement became. Kids bossing adults around (some children denouncing and blacklisting their own parents). Prominent cadres swindling riches from the middle-class in the name of Chairman Mao. Soldiers and bureaucrats raping the youth force who couldn't get back to the cities - the theme of Xiu Xiu. It boggles my mind and shocks me to the core.
I think the modern Chinese Revolution stands out more than other historical violence in my mind, because it was a movement so ideologically pure and psychological - yet, it metamorphosed into a beast that even the creator couldn't comprehend nor control. Poor is good, rich is bad. Good blood, bad blood. Be Red and expert. Blooming of 1,000 thoughts (and then the culling of the intellectuals). Blank is better.
On a much lighter note, I packed my hair in mayonaise last night. I scared my roommate (who wouldn't be to see a crazy Asian in the kitchen with mayo gelled into her hair and an Erica Ba-don't saran wrap around the head?). But the result is quite amazing. Thanks a million to the gay hair stylist - why buy a $40 hair treatment set when you can get a $4 mayo jar and have your sandwich too?
This is number one, the story's just begun...
Last night I watched Xiu Xiu, the Sent Down Girl. I don't think I've been this depressed since watching Bjork's Dancer in the Dark. Well, the Bjork movie was tragic for two things: the acting (or the lack thereof) and the premise that this poor immigrant woman is becoming blind, taken advantage of sexually and financially by her neighbor, and her life is basically falling apart. Half way through the movie, I wanted to gouge my eyes out and repress suicidal tendencies (well, not really - BeeLee and I were rochambaux-ing to see who should put her out of misery).
In any case, the Chinese Cultural Revolution screwed Wen Xiu very badly (literally and figuratively). Loss of innocense and dramatic irony makes me very queasy, but I couldn't take my eyes away. As the reeducation movements spread to the outskirts of China and there were fewer order and watchful eyes, the more chaotic and lawless the movement became. Kids bossing adults around (some children denouncing and blacklisting their own parents). Prominent cadres swindling riches from the middle-class in the name of Chairman Mao. Soldiers and bureaucrats raping the youth force who couldn't get back to the cities - the theme of Xiu Xiu. It boggles my mind and shocks me to the core.
I think the modern Chinese Revolution stands out more than other historical violence in my mind, because it was a movement so ideologically pure and psychological - yet, it metamorphosed into a beast that even the creator couldn't comprehend nor control. Poor is good, rich is bad. Good blood, bad blood. Be Red and expert. Blooming of 1,000 thoughts (and then the culling of the intellectuals). Blank is better.
On a much lighter note, I packed my hair in mayonaise last night. I scared my roommate (who wouldn't be to see a crazy Asian in the kitchen with mayo gelled into her hair and an Erica Ba-don't saran wrap around the head?). But the result is quite amazing. Thanks a million to the gay hair stylist - why buy a $40 hair treatment set when you can get a $4 mayo jar and have your sandwich too?
This is number one, the story's just begun...
// posted by sakit @ 6:15 AM 
