Post #4 - The controversial "Summer Palace"

The movie I chose to watch was Summer Palace. The film deals with a young student who leaves her small hometown to study at the fictional "Beiqing University". There she meets a fellow student and begins an intense romantic relationship in the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The film also follows the eventual disillusionment of these young idealists after the crackdown, as the years progress through the 1990s and into the 2000s. The film is named after the Summer Palace located in Beijing. Although I found the movie "interesting" it is the reaction of the Chinese government to this movie that I found to be most fascinating. Summer Palace's explicit sex scenes and political undertones made the film a touchstone for controversy in China, leading both the director, Lou Ye, and his producers into conflict with China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT). After screening Summer Palace in the 2006 Cannes Film Festival without government approval, the film was de facto banned in Mainland China, and its filmmakers officially censured. Before I move on and provide any more detail into the synopsis of this movie, I think it should be mentioned that the reaction of the government in China is astonishing. This movie was hardly offensive, at least in comparison to American movies. I also found the Chinese government's actions unacceptable; again compared to how the American government may have reacted to this movie. There is plenty of sex and controversial topics found in an endless number of American movies. Clearly, the Chinese government is wound too tight and to their dismay I am confident that in the years ahead, perhaps the next 10-20 years, they will realize that they cannot keep films such as Summer Palace from being shown in China. I think right now, the Chinese government is afraid that because the producers and writers of Summer Palace have touched on sensitive topics regarding the Chinese government of the late '80's that the movie will serve as a reminder of where China came from, in terms of government, and where they are heading in the future. A film like Summer Palace is too liberal for China because it evokes the emotions and energy of a growing nation that is craving its break from Communism. With that said, the following are my take- aways from the movie:

• Many American influences in habits and behaviors: smoking cigarettes, rock-n-roll music, attire, characters were very promiscuous; characters were very mellow dramatic (typical of most late teen/early twenty something year-olds)
• The acceptance of a female to the university was perceived as a bigger deal than a male being accepted
• Students at the university seemed extremely immersed in the university life
• Students demonstrated an eagerness to find particular books in the university library in a manner not commonly demonstrated by American students (not to say American students are not excited about books and reading but the availability of desirable books differs)
• Dorm rooms normally suited for 2 students in the U.S. was housing 4 students.
• Dorms looked like bomb shelters - no aesthetic quality; very old (almost decrepit) but functional
• Clear division between the educated and uneducated
• There are scenes where students are discussing controversial matters such as labor laws (also typical of American college students)
• As time moves on in the movie the main characters are shown moving to Germany and other major cities in China
• Strong connection with German students - characters relate to both countries having a wall built in their respective lands that divided their people
• Students were caught by school officials having sex - part of their punishment was having this act made public and shaming the two offenders
• Real footage from the Tiananmen Square protests were shown - these scenes were very moving -its always a powerful experience to witness citizens taking a stand against their government

Ultimately, the evolution of the main character's life mirrors the evolution of China, Russia and Germany (as major contemporary changes in these countries were also touched on).

From this movie I think it is fair to assume that I should not expect some degree of sexism in China while I am there however I am sure Chinese women are subject to this regularly. More so, however, I expect to see many manifestations of familar American attitudes and ideologies as the Chinese continue to emulate the West.