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Molly Cowan-Johnson.
clay dubeGAO Xingjian 高行健 is the only Chinese who has thus far received the Nobel Prize for Literature. There are other remarkable Chinese authors who might also be recognized for their contribution to world culture. If you'd like to read Gao's official Nobel biography, it is here:
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2000/gao-bio.html
On the right side of that page are links to Gao's Nobel-related speeches and interviews.
You can buy Soul Mountain 灵山 and other works at Amazon and other retailers. The Amazon site includes an online sample.
http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Mountain-Gao-Xingjian/dp/0060936231
When Gao received the award in 2000, he had been living in France for years. Within China, his award was not celebrated. Here's a NY Times article about a visit he made to Hong Kong in 2001.
Here is a selection from a 2/11/2001 Associated Press article about how Gao's work was depicted in China.
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Breaking with the official silence in Chinese media over Nobel prize winning author Gao Xingjian, a state newspaper Sunday called him an ''awful writer'' whose honoring with the prize was ''ludicrous.''
The Yangcheng Evening News' attack marked a rare discussion of Gao in the Chinese press. China's communist government, which considers Gao an exiled dissident and bans his works, all but ignored his winning of the prize last October and no mention appeared in the entirely state controlled media.
In a lengthy criticism of the novel ''Soul Mountain,'' considered one of Gao's signature works, the Yangcheng assailed Gao's writing as simplistic and disappointing.
But the paper urged readers to buy the book so that they might know ''what kind of a joke the Swedish literature academy is playing on the Chinese people.'' The Swedish Academy is responsible for awarding the prize.
....
The article did not explain how to purchase the outlawed book, which is unavailable at bookstores.
Stunned by the Nobel committee's conferring of the prize on Gao, China's Foreign Ministry scorned it as a political maneuver by foreign enemies of China.
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AnonymousThe award-winning film "Wings of Defeat" will make its U.S. broadcast premiere on May 5, 2009 on the PBS program "Independent Lens." Please check your local PBS station's listings for more information.
From the "Wings of Defeat" website:
"'Wings of Defeat' brings viewers behind the scenes of World War II’s Pacific theater to reveal the truth about the Kamikaze—the “suicide bombers” of their day. Interviews with surviving kamikaze, rare battle footage and Japanese propaganda reveal a side of WWII never before shown on film. American vets from the greatest generation tell harrowing tales of how they survived attacks. Wings of Defeat shatters the myth of the fanatical kamikaze to reveal a generation of men forced to pay for an empire’s pride with their lives."
AnonymousI don't know if anyone is interested in Japanese animation, but I recall a cartoon series
from the early 90's entitled, "Akira."
The animation at that time was more sophisticated than what Americans usually
watch. In addition, the story lines were of a mature nature.
I found it interesting that evil characters were portrayed as those
who had blond hair and blue eyes, while the good characters wore black
clothing and had black hair and dark eyes.
This was a major shift in how good and evil characters are portrayed.
Good characters usually wear white (until Chuck Norris made it "cool" to wear black)
while the villians always wore black.
AnonymousNora Lam is a Chinese American who spent most of her life in China.
As a Christian missionary, the Chinese government questioned and threatened to kill her.
She was separated from her family and her husband was abusive.
Eventually, she escaped The People's Republic of China into Hong Kong (while it was under
British control). From Hong Kong, she moved to California where she speaks
frequently about human rights abuses against Christians in China.
Her film, "China Cry" depicts the hardships that she endured during her younger years
at the hands of the Chinese government.
The viewer will understand how the Chinese government treats
those who follow Christianity.
It is on DVD and VHS.
AnonymousI met a Chinese American film maker who complied approximately
200 to 350 film clips about Asian characters in American films.
His documentary profiles popular Asian characters such as the Asian characters in the
"Susie Wong" series. In it he interviews Asian actors and actresses
about the stereotypical roles that they played in these Hollywood films.
The film debued in the spring of 2008 for a limited release.
Fortunately, the buzz for the movie was good.
I saw a preview of it at a mini film festival in LA.
AnonymousI am almost done with Soul Mountain and I wouldn't say I understand it very well on this first reading. I am intrigued by the "wild man" motif that keeps recurring. I don't know if he means anything like the Robert Bly "wild man" mythpoetic tradition but in any case there is much that is mysterious in the book. The narrator often switches from male to female pov or focus and the inclusion of "you" seems powerful as if Whitman inspired.
I think I see the fingerprints of Samuel Beckett, the despair, the mundane, the silence...not sure the the writer does live in France now. [Edit by="kspachuk on Jun 17, 10:10:59 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousA picture book called Wabi SabiI would recommend for any grade. I teach high school and I often teach Haiku and Japanese culture. I found this book at my local library by chance, I got it for my daughter.
This is a great book for teaching the concepts of wabi and sabi through a cat named Wabisabi. Every page has a famous haiku from Basho and Shiki that is used in the narration of the story. The cat is trying to learn what her name means and takes a journey to find out.
I have tried to teach the idea of wabi and sabi but have not succeeded in the past. Hopefully this book will help some. I think it is appropriate in the secondary and primary classroom. The book uses the both pages laid out vertically for illustration, good for a big class. There is lots of additional information about Haiku and Haibun etc... in the back.
AnonymousZhang Yimou's Hero turned out to be a very interesting film. After seeing the clips from Prof. Ye's lecture, I had no idea what a tangled web this movie would turn out being. It had so many different paths...that at times I found myself wondering what the real story was. As an art teacher, I could really use this movie to talk about Calligraphy, especially with the relationship between calligraphy and swordmanship (that would really appeal to middle school students). The different shots were like paintings themselves, incredible harmony, and wonderful composition. I liked the movie quite a bit.
AnonymousThe King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej
ISBN-10: 0300106823
I finished this book not too long ago. It was very in-depth and while difficult to follow because of the long surnames and lack of pictures / photographs, it does provide a look into the revered king Rama IX of Thailand. It goes through the 9 reigns rather quickly, and delves into the mystery of Rama VIII's death. The book continues with the accomplishments, pitfalls, and challenges this "world's longest reigning monarch has gone through these past 60 years in power.
For those who have traveled to Thailand and has a passing interest in royalty, and / or Thai culture, this is a good book.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:08:00 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI Don't Want to Go to Thailand
ISBN-10: 0816750246
This is a fun "diary" of a kid who reluctantly has to go to northern Thailand with his archeologist father. Made for elementary level students, it begins with his disinterest in going there and meeting people, to his acceptance and enjoyment of the culture. I got it from Amazon.com - real cheap![Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:07:40 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousTaste of Thailand
ISBN-13: 978-1404816770
This elementary / middle school level book tells the adventure of these "children secret agents" that get transported to Thailand to help the royal cook prepare a meal for the queen before a deadline. Hilarity ensues as the kids are thrown out of there element into temples, open-air markets, speed boats, and fried spicy insects! A fun book. I got it at Amazon. [Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:07:23 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousHow to Draw Thailand's Sights and Symbols
ISBN-10: 1404227415
This is a cool book to include in the Heritage unit of 5th grade's Open Court. It talks about symbols of Thailand and shows students / teachers how to draw them. Such as: orchids, spirit houses, elephants, temples, etc.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:07:04 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousThailand Life
ISBN: 978-974-7310-09-2
This is an high school and up book written as a diary about a kid's life. Panrit "Gor" Daoruang had a blog about his life as a teenager, his trials and tribulations, and it's been published as a book. Interesting as it is told from the viewpoint of the teen. [Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:06:48 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousTraveler's Tales: Thailand
ISBN: 1-885211-75-9
I enjoyed this book because it's a collection of other traveler's talking about their adventures in Thailand. There's a lot of things I could relate to: from being the only foreigner in a village, to adventures that sprout out of nowhere, to shopping and language fiascos. Fun to think and reflect about AFTER you're home safe and sound...[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:06:33 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousThai Girl
ISBN: 981-05-3918-5
I got another book about Thailand. This one might be a bit too spicy for students, but for those who have traveled to Thailand, and perhaps in Asia in general can find things to relate to.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:06:15 PM"][/Edit]