I need more sleep. That's my diagnosis. That and my buttocks hurt after the game with Thomas... and no, it wasn't that kind of game, no need for homoerotic innuendo...
Note: This is my 4th semester studying Japanese and today I attended the lecture for the 3rd time ever. The previous two times were because we had tests on and I had to attend. I would like to put it on record that I totally regret going as it was a waste of time. w00t.
Saw "Everlasting Regret" at the Film Festival with Heidi. The Forum is really a nice place, I've seen movies there before and I saw N.E.R.D. play live there in 2004, best gig ever man.
Anyway the movie was good, an HK/Chinese production set in Shanghai, it takes course primarily between 50s - 80s. The backdrop is a Shanghai changing with the tide of Chinese revolution. The former glory of Shanghai, once a bustling metropolis, is fading away... along with the business prospects, and a steady stream of people make their way out while they still can.
Sammi Cheng stars as Qiyao who wins a Miss Shanghai pageant and hooks up with Officer Li. He eventually leaves but she stays around and hooks up with the arguably better looking Ming (played by Daniel Wu... wooooh). However, the person who got her into the pageant in the first place, the ugly photographer played by Leung Ka Fai (well, i think he's ugly...) seems to be a bit of a fan of her, however he can never get close.
Ironically, he's the only person in her life (including 3 lovers, a daughter, a housekeeper, a best friend and a sham husband) who actually sticks around with her, in Shanghai, until the bitter end. Everybody else leaves Shanghai and Qiyao. The "fading beauty" comparison between Shanghai and Qiyao is quite clear.
The film reminds me a little of Cabaret (in the, protagonists oblivious to a changing social scene kind of way). It also seems Stanley Kwan is trying to emulate Wong Kar Wai and turn Sammi Cheng into some kind of Maggie Cheung. Unfortunately, he fails in both respects. The movie is good but it is not as polished and intricate as a WKW piece. Sammi also turns in a good role but is, in my opinion, totally outshone by Leung Ka Fai who is fantastic as the eternally jaded but always sweet photographer.
The film was a little slow but quite interesting.
In other news, for those who attended July Conference in Brisbane this year, we have this. Errr... yes. Thanks Josh. "I think it’s great he’s staying on" is something that makes me shudder somewhat. "The economy has probably been his government’s biggest strength." probably - which is unfortunate, given that Keating's government were the ones who set up the low-inflation boom. "His uninspiring nature is one of his biggest strengths. He’s not arrogant and seems down-to-earth." - have to agree there. He is totally not a leader, he is completely dishonest and there is no authenticity. His policy backflips and his constant changing faces across his political career are testament to that. However, this Australia where tall poppies get chopped so no real leadership allowed, sorry.
It's a pity really. I recently read the biography of Paul Keating, written by Don Watson (his speechwriter) and it made me think how much this country dislikes "arrogance". True it can be quite annoying but, honestly, do you want a "leader" who is a weak populist and will bow at ever uneducated whimsy of the population? Or do you want someone who will make the right decisions to move our country forward? Let's face it, most of Australia is uneducated and completely sheltered. How can you expect your average farmer who knows very little about anything outside of his business (which is perfectly ok) to run the country? You don't. That's what political leaders are for... yet we mow them down every time they stand up for something. Bring back Keating.
Alex
posted by LX @ 2:25 AM
Comments: 2
