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I decided to give my external hard drive the big "eff you!" this evening and I downloaded some music I've been meaning to listen to. One of the first things I tapped into Hype Machine's search engine was "Moldy Peaches." I downloaded the adorable "Anyone Else But You" because I heard it in the partly Canadian flick, Juno. I saw the film after gleefully waddling through mountains of snow on Sunday and fell in love with it. I have a poor memory, but I can't remember enjoying a film this year as much as I enjoyed Juno. The You Tube video features Ellen Page and Michael Cera singing said Moldy song, but you should hear the whole thing performed by the songwriters (with banjo!) just because it turns into an entirely different song when it's not the more naive pair of Page and Cera singing:
An Inconvenient Truth, featuring (the former next president of the United States) Al Gore, is no longer news to most people who read this blog. You've probably watched it already and know the world is coming to an end if we continue our environmentally damaging ways. But for those in Hong Kong, where the film was just released, you probably haven't. Last night, I watched it in a theatre with a handful of other people. The staff outnumbered the number of viewers and although it was a Wednesday, there were surely more people watching The Departed or even, The Devil Wears Prada (a film which has been in theatres for a month).
It is unfortunate that the average Hong Kong person cares so little about environmental issues. This is of course, my personal opinion which I'm open to changing. But while the government and public embrace the minimization of plastic bags (and really, charging for plastic bags one day of the month is minimum minimization), why are we so reluctant to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles and factories?
Hong Kongers like to point the finger at factories north of the border in mainland China. Over there, they say, they are the biggest polluters. That's true but there are always going to be other people to blame and this is something we're all responsible for. Another truth is one of Gore's most dramatic points in the film and that is If Greenland melts as it continues to do, sea levels around the world will rise 20 ft. If that doesn't concern every single person in Hong Kong, then maybe we deserve drowning.
Yesterday, chief executive Donald Tsang made his second policy address. Despite some environmental steps forward, he did little in terms of concrete measures to reduce emissions right now. Reduction on registration tax for low-emission, high fuel-efficient vehicles is great but the fact that he pledged to continuing consulting the public on whether to legislate against idling engines enrages me. This government has had no problem doing things without public consent, why stop now?
The argument against legislating an anti-idling law is that the public doesn't like the idea of turning off its car in hot weather because they are uncomfortable without their air-conditioning. At this point, I think it's the government's responsibility to educate drivers and show them that they are responsible for this part of a vicious cycle. The heat is due to the increase of CO2 gases. Your car is part the reason it's so hot and unfortunately, it will continue to get hotter if we continue on this path. Something's got to give.
One last point I will make is about the environmental business. Hong Kong is a wonderful place for businesses, but this doesn't mean it can't be an environmentally friendly place at the same time. The government's environmental policies shouldn't just be about limiting things, it should also be about creating and nurturing green industries. There are some fascinating things going on with green technologies around the world and I think Hong Kong can be a place of innovation. We have the resources, now we just need the will power.
Tagspotting is a short indie documentary about Hong Kong graffiti collective ST/ART. The group of artists is the brainchild of China Stylus, the creative and graphic design firm that designs Kee Magazine. The artists profiled in the film discuss typical graffiti issues such as running from authority and commercialism but more importantly, the film showcases some impressive art from around the city.
It would be cool if ST/ART and/or other local graffiti collectives organized a graffiti tour for those of us who want to see more. These city streets are already scenes of sensory overload (skyrocketing buildings, flapping laundry, rush of people and a flood of sounds from every direction), it's sometimes hard to find the art in the chaos. I realize that sometimes the strength of graffiti is its subtle existence but can someone point me in the direction of Hong Kong's best street art aside from the Yumla wall? Just a thought.
I'm really happy that Brokeback Mountain is getting so much positive coverage. Even here in Hong Kong where we are so behind in protecting the rights of minorities (and not just homosexuals), the media is eating up the film because the director, Ang Lee often gives props to the territory. There was even live coverage of Lee's family's Oscar party and I saw his mother and brother celebrate at least once an hour, on the hour while at work. Arguably, it's overkill.
But that's not the problem. The problem, as I see it is the reaction that so many people have after watching Brokeback Mountain. It's often something along the lines of: "Oh that's so sad...but I'm so glad things like that don't happen anymore."
The more I talk about the film with people, the more I realize there are a lot of people out there who just don't get it. The theme of repression and self-hating homophobia is not a theme that we left behind with the 60's. It happens today.
Hate crimes and discrimination do happen. They happen in Hong Kong, they even happen in Canada where we're so proud of our tolerance, cultural mosaic and same-sex marriage rights. But there is hatred among us and while our world is better than Ennis and Jack's world, it certainly isn't perfect.
I write this with my blood boiling thinking back to not that long ago when I saw my own friends hurt from their experiences with hatred because she wanted to hold her girlfriend's hand on the street or he was just on his way to watch the Pride parade. Sometimes it's "just" a name. Sometimes it's rocks hurling towards their head. Sometimes it's the denial of a job.
It was a very busy day at work today. Phones were ringing off the hook with news of our two Oscar nominations. The National Film Board's films, Ryan and Hardwood are nominated for best short film (animated) and best documentary (short subject), respectively. This is exciting news and in case you're wondering what the big deal is, you can watch both films for FREE at the Mediatheque.
I, of course, have nothing to do with either production except that I have watched them both and talk about them with people. Instead, I teach kids how to make their own animation and documentary films, which I think is cool--not Academy Award cool, but cool anyway.
Last night I watched The Take, the NFB documentary by Canadian media power couple, Naomi Klein (writer) and Avi Lewis (director). The film follows the workers of Forja factory, a group of 30 men who were locked out of their factory outside of Buenos Aires. Fed up with unemployment, the men take over the factory and hope to start the machines again. These workers are just an example of the economic situation in Argentina. It was a country that showed much economic promise in the 1990's, but collapsed in 2001, leaving over half of its population living under the poverty line.
The film takes a very sympathetic stance towards the workers' struggles and anti-globalization. This should come as no surprise as Klein is known for her left-wing politics, most noteably, her international best selling book, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. But watch Fredy Espinosa, president of the Forja cooperative, break down in tears when he talks about providing for his family (a wife and four daughters) and it's hard not to side with the little guys. Whether you agree with the politics of Lewis and Klein, I think The Take is worth seeing. The film tells a story of a real human spirit one you can't find in most Hollywood dramas.
+ Good news! Not only is today the release of The Stars' new album, Set Yourself On Fire, but we got word from record label, Arts and Crafts that the band is going on a Canadian tour with Mr. Gentleman Reg. No Toronto dates yet, but be patient urbanites. In the meantime, download the first single "Ageless Beauty." So far, so good. This record is probably the best contender to rival Feist for my favourite album of 2004, judging from my love of its predecessor, Heart, winner of Chiu's favourite album of 2003. <3
+ Speaking of the labelmate, Feist is returning to Toronto, and this time I WILL see her. She will be at the Phoenix for a performance on December 2nd. Perfect way to start the winter.
+ I read the sad news that CHUM City's television program, MediaTelevision has been cancelled. Tragic really, since there isn't really anything to replace it and it was a damn good show. First Shift's death, which I never recovered from and now MediaTelevision. Is nothing sacred?
+ From the MediaTelevision website, I found Instructoart, the website for artist, Michael Vescovo. Part comic artist, part animator, Vescovo created short films of instructions for life. My favourites are "Three Second Rule" and "Musical Instruments" from the archive.
I'm still awaiting the arrival of my Outfoxed DVD and trying to find time to see Control Room. But Antonia Zerbisia mentions both of those films in her column today. Titled "Who will protect us from Fox?", she discusses the differences, or rather the similarities between Al-Jeezera and Fox News . She asks, if Jewish lobby groups have prevented Canadians from watching an uncensored Al-Jeezera b/c the station is "abusive," then who will protect us from Fox and its abuse towards the truth. Who will protect us from that obnoxious Bill O'Reilly and his ridiculous treatment of guests who dare disagree with him?
Conviently, the O'Reilly Factor will be discussing this topic tonight at 11 p.m. EST.
Other links for today: Who knew Linda Rondstandt could be so cool? — Apparently the singer my parents love, got booed and kicked out of a Las Vegas hotel because she dedicated "Desperado" to filmmaker, Michael Moore and called him a "great American patriot." Tegan and Sara — still hot and making music. New album out Sept. 14th in Canada/U.S.
Coming soon:
My review of Ivana Santilli's Corduroy Boogie
