Memorial ceremony in Fuzhou

On the 6th of April there was a memorial ceremony held in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province. The 420th anniversary of a death was celebrated this day. So you ask who is this lucky one? Well he is called Qi Jiguang, a general in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He is famous for his fighting against Japanese pirates!

It's very clear indeed that China's still don't like Japan, so you have to honour your heroes with a memorial day! But ofcourse it is wonderful tradition is still being continued. Maybe I even will look for further information on this man, this Qi Jiguang.

Brotherhood of war / Taegukgi hwinalrimyeo (South-Korea, 2004)

The Brotherhood 0f war is a movie that deals about the war in the beginning of the '50s between communist North- and democratic South-Korea by director Je-gyu Kang.
Two brothers have to go into duty and fight against the communists. While Jin-Seok (Won Bin) is a student, Jin Tae (Jang Dong-gun) is a shoemaker. Jin Tae wants his brother to be safe and to return home so he's got into the plan to win a special medal which allows his brother to go home. To get this medal he has to volunteer for very dangerous operations which is disliked by his younger brother.

Slowly they both grow into very different persons, which is beautifully shown as the impact a war can have on a persons personality.


This film contains heavy violence, one of the most shocking scenes I even seen in war films like the execution of common villagers. It's not really focussed on history but rather on the emotional parts of individuals. It's about exploring your own evil when you face war, something you never seen before. People who change into something dark, who don't recognize friends anymore but only see light in killing the enemy.

One of the most impressive and interesting parts can be seen when the South-Koreans (with help of the United Nations, seem to have liberated (or defeated the communists at) North-Korea. Nothing is less true, the next shot shows us the coming of at least 100.000 Chinese soldiers whohave come to help North-Korea.
It's a really strong movie about a war that in western culture seems to be a forgotten war.

9 Rota (9 th company) (Russia, 2005)

This is a Russian movie directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk and deals about the war between the Soviet Union and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Young recruits are sent from a boot camp to Afganistan to protect hill no. 3234. It takes place in 1988 (close to the end of the war)

I guess the storyline can be compared to that of Full metal jacket. The first part of the movie the characters are introduced and being trained in a bootcamp and the second part deals about the unknown hills and caves where danger ever is to be found.

I have to say just like the heroic characters that we often see in Hollywood cinema we see people some strong fighters who wants to fight for glory but there are also characters that are scared, or one is a painter that goes to war to see the beauty of it.

I have to admit I had to grow into this film but when you do it will keep you in chains. The brilliant shots of indegineous villages were you feel the discomfort everywhere, a blind old man stares and the Russian soldier keeps shouting Haram, Haram. Is anybody to trust, even of they are old or young?

And honour to the Russians, Afghanistan was taboo for a long time in Russia. They left the country cause the Soviet Union was falling apart, but they did not win the war. They did not win, even though they knew the country/landscape. So once again the question raises, what do the Americans do in Afghanistan? This country has never been liberated and not a war against it has been won. Once again it won't happen.

I think it's great Russia seems to understand their mistakes as well, maybe in the future finally westerns will understand that Russian soldiers are also humans and I never understood why they are forgotten for WWII. All glory to the North American continent but without the Soviet union and their sacrifices at Stalingrad we would never be liberated.

Well it was a great movie with plenty of action, drama and the total nonsense of protecting some hills. Not a happy movie, but the reality of the insanity of war.

Cherry blossom

Due to the fact that I watched 'memoirs of a geisha' last night I was pleasently surprised that I found some beautiful pictures about cherry blossom in Japan in the Chinese-international newspaper chinadaily.com.
It is beautiful and mysterious, makes you long for Geisha's in Kimono's.

Battle for Haditha (Great Brittain, 2007)

Strong anti-war movie by director Nick Broomfield. Shot in a semi-documentary style we experience the killing of an US Marine at Haditha (Iraq) in November 2005. The aftermath shows the killing and execution of harmless villagers.

Haditha starts with the question we all (well I guess about 95 %) have in mind. Why are there Americans in Iraq?It's a portrayel of the war against terror and this film is not shy about the truth. I guess most American's won't like this movie too much because some US Marines are shown off like executioners instead of helping a country which is completely divided.

The storyline is well done, showing not only the US Marines, but also the story of the terrorists and the people which are being murdered.

To be honest, you have to like the style of filming a bit, it's sometimes a bit harrowing. You will definetely like it when you liked Bloody sunday and United 93.

Maybe it's a bit dangerous to say but after watching this movie you can understand why some people become terrorists. It seems like a visual circle. Terrorists kill an American, Americans take revenge on at least 15/20 Iraqi's and the surviving familymembers of such a slaughter can't think of anything else than take revenge on the Americans....

...ing (Korea, 2003)

...ing Is a beautiful melodramatic movie (director: Eon-hie Lee) about love, sorrow and pain. It's a pure one that shows the beauty of love together with the greatest pain it can bring. In general ít deals about a girl(Gang Mina-a, played by Su-jeong Lim known for her lates role in I'm a cyborg, but that's okay) that is very ill and that keeps her away from making friends easily. Her mother (Misuk, played by Mi-suk Lee) wants to see her have fun and asks her often if she doesn't want to have a boyfriend.

A young photographer (Yeong Jae played by Rae-won Kim) moves in the appartment below theirs and faals in love with her, Mina slowly becomes more open to him and begins to enjoy the beauty of life. She fiends a friend in Yeong Jae and a friendship blossoms. But remember, Mina is very ill so this film has its emotional parts too, it probably will hurt your heart as well.

It's also very funny with small word jokes that are one of the best I ever seen. For example: A woman talks about noodle models while she means nude models. Just hilarious.

Don't expect a very difficult story, it's a pure lovesong which is at the same time truelly heartbreaking. It's almost impossible to not feel touched by watching this movie. Another wonderful thing is the cinematography, it's beautifully done. How subtle Mina's illness is shown is remarkable and most shots are wonderful. For those who don't like Asian cinema because the fact that they often introduce to many characters (which for some westerns are difficult to distinguish) you can be relieved. This movie only deals about a handful of people.

Wanna try something different than Western commercial cinema? Watch ...ing!! And the title...well it explains itself.

A different kind of film (Fitna by Geert Wilders)

Well, this time I wanna talk about a different kind of film. A film that is responsible for a big commotion and haven't even been shown yet.

It's the anti-Koran film 'Fitna', made by Dutch politician Geert Wilders. All over the world people demonstrate to get this film forbidden but why exactly? Probably it will be an anti-Koran film but nobody knows really what it will be about.

More interesting is.... did Geert Wilders shoot the movie himself? How will he handle problems like shooting in the right light, background music (I guess it won't be quietfull traditional Islamic music, but who knows...), will the story be linear and exciting or will we just see still after still with an anti-Koran message. I'm curious about the camerawork, the artwork and will there be beautiful clothes in it? If it's really a film to be discussed about it can't be only about the contents, filmmaking is about so many different subjects.

The islamic world is upset and even the dutch government already apologized for this movie.... Do they really think Wilders will shoot a really disturbing or maybe a revolutionary movie? Or will it just be propaganda that will be forgotten the day after it's shown and maybe will be selected for the worst films ever made?

Why doesn't everybody relax and take it easy, all this fuss about something that never has been shown. We won't get rid of all young dogs because maybe in a few years one will get rabbies and hurt a child.

Kagrra - Utakata (Visual Kei)

Sometimes you hear some music that touches your heart, or maybe even your soul. Sometimes you don't even understand the lyrics of such a song but it feels complete and beautiful as it is. This is what I experienced while I was listening to 'Utakata' by 'Kagrra', a Japanese rockband from the Visual Kei movement. For those who never heard about Visual Kei: This is a musical subculture from Japan (Nippon). It can be identified by its flamboyant, excentric and often adrogyn looks from te people. It has it's founding in the 80's, maybe inspired by new romantic and glamrock acts like David Bowie and Kiss. Visual Kei wasn't very known in Europe but after 2000 it took a flight here. It's all thanks to immense popularity of the Japanese anime which found its heart to many viewers during this time. Germany especially seems to like the influences of Visual Kei due to the fact of the existence of the pop-rock band cinema bizarre and also Bill Kaulitz, the leadsinger of Tokyo Hotel, seems to be a real fan of Visual Kei. The music can differ: glam, cyberpunk, gothic or new romantic.

Utakata by Kagrra just has everything to make it a real memorable song. Together with the video it completes its uniqueness, some traditional instruments are added to the normal instruments which make it even more brilliant. Well...just listen to it and I guess you will float away for 5 minutes to another world where you are totally hypnotized by the musical sounds of this band. Just a fantastic song...

Together

Together (He ni zai yi qi) by Chen Kaige is a Chinese movie about music and growing up.

In short the story deals about a boy who wants to be a famous violin musician (well in fact, his dad wants him to be a famous musician).

This journey will lead to Beijing where his dad wants to find a great teacher for his son. The first teacher teaches the boy Liu Xiaochun (playeb by Yun Tang) how to play the music from his heart, the only problem is that he can teach him how to play but now how to make him famous. Liu Xiaochun had to be transferred to another teacher and this will show us the difference between playing music for yourself or for fame.

These are interesting subjects but maybe the most intereting part of this movie lies in the fact that it is about growing up, how a father have to let his son go a bit and about a first unreachable love.

I think this movie is really great. Don't expect any action but when you like music (it's maybe even better when you play an instrument yourself) and are willing to watch a movie about growing up and in fact a story between father (who is imperfect but doing his best he can) son it is able to touch your heart.

Together with the beautiful music it's a beautiful film!

Figure Skating World Championships 2008 Göteborg... Mao Asada

World championships figure skating at Göteborg, Sweden.

The free program for the ladies was skated on thursday night and what can you say about it. I guess there is just one thing to say!!! Absolutely stunning! How exciting and breathtaking it was! To see the final you have to posess very strong nerves cause it was really really nervebreaking!!
It started with Carlonina Kostner, the Italian woman who skated okay but not brilliantly.... Yu Na Kim who feel in the short program was 5 points behind and skated fantastic!! I think it was the best program of all ladies but it just wasn't enough.... She had a very special comeback but in the end she lacked 0.6 points. Well, she is only 17 and in my eyes she really is the very best in the world so next year she will have another chance to reign.

But it wasn't over at all after Yu Na Kim. Mao Asada was only 0.18 behind after the short program. She started and in her way to make her first jump she fell, she fell really hard. The audience was shocked and Asada seemed to be out for title candidat. One way or another she gave her all after her faal and everything was perfect! It's was so beautiful to watch, so dramatic and exciting I don't blame people for closing their eyes. Everyone had a hard time watching something so exciting and brilliant. Waiting for her points, the suspense was unbearable.... and.... Yes she won by one point! Mao Asada is the new world champion. Congratulations so much!
After Asada Yukari Nakano skated really wonderful and was given to little by the judges. She ended in fourth position.

What happened to former World champion Miki Ando? She started but injured herself. Sadness filled my heart when a single tear flew over her cheek. I hope the injury won't be too bad.

Asada, Koster, Yu Na Kim and Nakano... you really made this night a very special one! Thank you very much!

Farewell my concubine

A few weeks ago I finally got the opportunity to buy 'Farewell my concubine' on dvd in the Netherlands. My expectations of it were very high and after I finished it they survived. What makes this movie of such and outstanding class?

The director 'Chen Kaige' is famous for this movie, 'Emperor and the
Assasanin and Yellow Earth. Why he made something like 'the promise' is not really understandable because it doesn't reach the impact of his other movies.

Let's go back to farewell my concubine. The story deals completely about the opera, or rather said the 'Peking operea'. During the first scenes of this movie you will see how young children where trained to become an opera-star. Soon we will just follow two friends who become famous, one plays the emperor and one the concubine. It's completely normal for a boy to play a female character.

Because this boy (Leslie cheung) always plays as he woman he sort of gets into an personalitycrisis. He puts even make-up on when he is just walking the street, he totally becomes his character and falls in love with his friend (Zhang Fengyi). His friend starts a relationship with a girl (fantastic acting of Gong Li) and trouble starts in a fantastic love-triangle. Nothing like you would assume it would go!

On the background of this story we say the crazy times China is going through. Think of the rise of the Kwo Min Tang, the Japanese occupation and the cultural revolution.

The acting is very very strong and the costumes are beautifully made. I guess you have to get used to the music, cause most westerns don't really know Peking opera but after a while you will get absorped by it.

It's not the most funny or fast movie but just open your senses and enjoy this very special one.

Figure skating 2007/2008

Well the figure skating season has begun! Last saturday I watched an exhibition gala from Ingolstadt, Germany on television. What will it be this year...will Yu Na Kim this year take the gold in the world championships or wil Miki Ando strike again? We will know it in March when the world championships will be held from 16 till 23 March at Göteborg, Sweden! I hope it will be a great season!!

The first real matches were this weekend at quebec city Canada. Brian Joubert won the golden medal in men, van der Parre was second..very good my neighbour Belgium! In the women race Mao Asada took the gold in front of Yukari Nakano! The gold medal in pair skating went to Savchenko/Szolkowy. Silver medalist were Dube/Davison!

A beautiful picture of high favourite and winner Mao Asada


Next week the GP of China at Harbin!

Curse of the golden flower

Tonight I have seen Zhang Yimou's Curse of the golden flower! After 'Hero' and 'House of flying daggers' Zhang Yimou wanted to complete his trilogy of films which take place in three different dynasties. It's like a Shakespearian story situated in the forbidden city of China. It's full of love, intruige, sorrow and power. This movie overwhelmed me completely, the scenes are so perfectly beautiful the music is outstanding and the story is so exciting that before you know it this movie is over.
The acting of Gong Li (I have to say she seems to act brilliant in every movie she plays, from 'Red Sorghum' to 'curse of the golden flower', she is in my eyes one of the best actresses of the last few decades) is just wonderful, she caps every emotion in the perfect way. Chow Yun Fat plays the emperor, well I think it's almost the same like Gong Li, he seems to play wonderful always too.

I was drowned into the beauty of the forbidden çity, in the madness of the emperor and the sad story which really gets a hrip on your heart. How is it possible that only Chinese directors seem to be able to catch this magic feeling, to show these magic camerawork? I am not sure but I am just happy they know how to portrait the beauty you long for.
If this is a little glimpse in Zhang Yimou's opening ceremony for the Olympic games in Beijing, I guess it will be magnificent, even beyond imagination.

Kiss of dawn - HIM

It's happening!! On the 18th of September the new album 'Venus Doom' of HIM will be released. Already there is a new single that is called 'Kiss of dawn'. It's got the typical HIM sound which is a bit dark and gloomy.

'I'm reaching for your shadow, drowning in the kiss of dawn'

In the bottom part of my blog you can find this new video!

Discovery of ancient porcelain of South Korea

Well... because I am an archaeologist I just have to mention this find of porcelain in a South Korean shipwreck. It makes my world a little more brighter hehe.

"Ancient Korean porcelain from a shipwreck is seen in this undated handout released by the National Maritime Museum in Mokpo, South Korea. The collection includes hundreds of well preserved celadon cups, bowls, plates and other works that Yun said were for the noble class and government officials in the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled from 918-1392 and was known for its porcelain."