1980s and Beyond
In 1984 the Chinese film industry was suddenly brought to international attention for the first time by the arrival of the so-called "Fifth Generation" of Chinese film-makers. This was the year that director Chen Kaige and his cameraman Zhang Yimou , both graduates from the first post-Cultural Revolution class (1982) of the Beijing Film School, made the superb art film Yellow Earth . The story of Yellow Earth is a minor feature; the interest is in the images and the colours. Still shots predominate, recalling traditional Chinese scroll painting, with giant landscapes framed by hills and the distant Yellow River. The film was not particularly well received in China, either by audiences, who expected something more modern, or by the authorities who expected something more optimistic. Nevertheless, the pattern was now set for a series of increasingly foreign-funded (and foreign-watched) films comprising stunning images of a "traditional" China, irritating the censors at home and delighting audiences abroad. Chen Kaige's protege Zhang Yimou was soon stealing a march on his former boss, with his first film Red Sorghum in 1987, set in a remote wine-producing village of northern China at the time of the Japanese invasion. This film was not only beautiful, and reassuringly patriotic, but it also introduced the world to Gong Li , the actress who was to become China's first international heart-throb. The fact that Gong Li and Zhang Yimou were soon to be lovers added to the general media interest in their work, both in China and abroad. They worked together on a string of hits, including Judou, The Story of Qiu Ju, Raise the Red Lantern, Shanghai Triads and To Live. None of these could be described as art films in the way that Yellow Earth had been, and the potent mix of Gong Li's sexuality with exotic, mysterious locations in 1930s China was clearly targeted at Western rather than Chinese audiences. Chinese like to point out that the figure-hugging Chinese dresses regularly worn by Gong Li are entirely unlike the period costume they purport to represent. For such reasons, "moral" as well as political, Zhang's work continued, until recenly, to suffer censorship in his native country. One of Zhang's most powerful and - from the point of view of the Chinese authorities - controversial films is To Live (1994) which follows the fortunes of a single family from the final, decadent years of the old regime, right through the Communist era to the present day. The various stages of Mao's Communist experiment, from "liberation" to the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, are depicted in terms of the disasters they bring upon the family, including the traumatic deaths of both children in needless accidents for which the regime seems to be responsible. The essence of the story is that life cannot be lived to prescription. Its power lies in the fact that it is a very real reflection of the experience of millions of Chinese people. Similarly, Chen Kaige's superb Farewell My Concubine (1994) incorporates the whole span of modern Chinese history, and although the main protagonist - a homosexual Chinese opera singer - is hardly typical of modern China, the tears aroused by the film are wept for the country as a whole. Zhang's most recent film, Not One Less (1998), re-creates the true story of a country teacher who travels to the city to track down a pupil who has run away. All the characters are portrayed by themselves and give magnificent performances, but ultimately the film is sentimental, suggesting that Zhang is losing his progressive edge. It is interesting that while the authorities still regard Fifth Generation film-makers as subversive ( To Live has never been screened in China, and Farewell My Concubine is shown with cuts), a new, younger Chinese generation, based mainly in Beijing and inevitably dubbed the "Sixth Generation", is criticizing Zhang and Chen for being too bland, for selling out to commercial interests and giving the West a false image of China. They have started producing underground movies, generally shot in black and white, depicting what they consider to be the true story of contemporary China - ugly cities, cold flats, broke and depressed people. One of these, Beijing Bastards , has a role for the famous rock singer and rebel Cui Jian , who is depicted drinking, swearing and playing the guitar. Unsurprisingly, the Sixth Generation is faring even worse than the Fifth in terms of getting its work screened in China, and is once again having to rely on foreign funds for production. In recent years, most Chinese directors, sadly, have concentrated on trying to mimic Hollywood slickness. Appalling propaganda films are still being made and are actually quite entertaining if approached in the spirit of irony. Opium War shows the British employing all kinds of underhand tactics to secure Hong Kong. The Brits are at it again in Red Valley , this time invading Tibet. Fortunately, there are also plenty of genuinely good films still being made. Notable is In the Heat of the Sun , which chronicles the antics of a Beijing street gang in the 1970s. It's written by Wang Shuo, the bad boy of contemporary Chinese literature, and displays his characteristic irreverence and earthy humour. Lei Feng is Gone is based on the true story of the man who accidentally killed the iconic hero of Maoist China, the soldier Lei Feng. The potent personal story also works as a metaphor for the state of the nation, and as such was highly controversial when it was released. A Tree in the House is a moving and often hilarious family saga set in a poor district of Tianjin. Two other worthwhile films are The Sun Has Ears and Cello in a Cab , which again deal with contemporary city life in a gritty but humourous way. Even if you don't speak Chinese, the above are all well worth seeking out - they share a sophisticated visual humour and are beautifully shot.
Voyageinchina.comAdam Yin says "Chinese Visa Application
The following information is FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY, Please contact Chinese embassy or consulate general in your country or region for accurate and detailed information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the Law of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the Country, foreign tourists must apply for visas at China's foreign affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A group of five tourists or more can apply for a group tourist visa. This is usually handled by a travel agency organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements.
If anyone wants to go to Tibet for a visit you can apply for a visa only with the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign representative offices. A passport is required for visa application, the passport shall be valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of the tour.
A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visa
Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his/her identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.
The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, Z, X, C, G, D, J-1and J-2.
L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.
F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.
Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period over six months.
C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.
G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.
D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
J-1 Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.
J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview missions in China.
Validity of Visa: normally speaking, a visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance (date of application) and on any day within this period, the visa holder may enter China.
Duration of Stay Specified in the Visa: normally speaking, a visa holder may stay in China for 1 month which counts from the date of his/her entrance into China. To stay longer, you need to specify your request in your application form and itˇŻll be subject to the permission of the consul in charge.
Overseas Chinese Visa Authorities, include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular department of the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities.
5)Important Notes:
According to the relevant international law, any sovereign state has the exclusive rights to decide whether or not to allow the foreigners to enter its territory, and accordingly to issue visa, reject visa application and cancel an issued visa according to its national law without providing the reasons.
With its valid Chinese passport, a Chinese citizen can enter China without a visa.
" www.voyageinchina.comAdam Yin says "Emerald Tour Ltd., a registered inbound travel operator in China. providing high quality destination management services for exceptional value including: China tour packages; Shanghai, Beijing City tours; hotel reservation; and MICE service in China.
www.voyageinchina.com" a nice guide in Guilin Chinajade leo says "Do you want to pay a visit to China before 2008 Olympic Game, Do you hear about Guilin Yangshuo where has the reputation of having the most beautiful landscape under heaven. It is a dream place for many tourists who want to see the real natural landscape and touch the countryside life.
Hilltops pop up from nowhere like trees in the forest and they are shaped like buns, camels, fishes, saw-teeth, horses, etc. It is a city you must visit or you will miss those beautiful landscape there. Rivers flow around like green silk ribbons while the hills reveal themselves as jade hair-pins. Guilin embraces great landscapes like green hills, clear waters, pretty rocks and fantastic caves.
I am from Guilin, a licensed tour guide for Guilin area. A grauate from Guangxi Teacher's University, I have had more than 2 years of travel service experience in Guilin.
A tour guide with a warm heart and sincerity, I am offering tourists visiting Guilin with uptodate information and a tour guide service. You can bank on my knowledge of Guilin and my earned reputation as a reliable tour guide in the region.
Activities available:
1. Airport pick-up service
2. Photoshoot Guide
3. Ancient town tour
4. Business tour guidelines
5. Flight ticket & Hotel room reservation
6. Accompanying services to other cities of China
7. Buying houses in Guilin and Yangshuo
8. Faming Activities and Stay in farmers' houses
9. Hot Balloon
10. Li river cruise tour. Cormorant fish, fantastic caves
11. Longsheng dragon's backbone rice terraces
12. Marvelous ethnic shows, local souvenirs market and market day of town
13. Climbing the highest mountain to see the panoramic view
14. Bamboo boat rafting, white water drifting as well as taking mud bath in water cave
15. Hiking, Riding bicycle to old villages to see real farmers life and talk with them
16. Learning to cook Chinese food, Learning Chinese Qigong and Taiji
Any special requests will be considered
If you want to tour China but fail to pay a visit to Guilin, it is equal to having not toured China! If want to get the best experience out of Guilin please contact us and we will make sure you have a once in a life time experience.
Address: No. 16, Lijiang Road, Guilin, China.
Tel: 86-773-5617058 Mobile number: 86-13086737586
Email: jadeleo66@yahoo.com www.guilinprivatetours.com
" Amy style sidecar motorcycles in shanghai chinajohnson says "here has some chinese amy style sidecars
for sale for more information please email
wildwolfsidecar@yahoo.com
mobile number
13524051655
" vintage 750cc sidecar motorcycles in shanggai china the replica of BMWjohnson says "Johnson sidecar has some customzied pla style vintage sidecar motorcycles in songjiang shanghai china for sale
when you purchase sidecar johnson sidecar helps you to get the registation (the number plate)
you can also rent a sidecar during the holiday when you are in china
with good price and top quality here
more information please
email sidecarshanghai@yahoo.com
skype johnsonsidecar
mobile +8613661904350" travel by ride sidecar motorbikesjohnson says "Johnson Sidecar offers you the highest cj 750 sidecar restoration available in China . Ride
with confidence on a Vintage
CJ 750 sidecar from sidecar shanghai. Owning a highest quality Vintage People's Liberation
Army CJ 750 Sidecar is dream of many people!!!
we have all the spare parts for changjiang sidecar in stock in shanghai china
more information
we also have some changjiang sidecars for rent here. rent a sidecar when you are
traveling in shanghai china
please email sidecarshanghai@yahoo.com
website www.sidecar-shanghai.com
mobile 13661904350
" Explore China On Line (Video and Stills)David Mundstock says "My film "The Last Emperor’s Home Video” offers visits to China’s best known places, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Beijing’s Summer Palace, the Grand Canal, Xian, beautiful Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, plus Hong Kong.
“The Last Emperor’s Home Video” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I still sell absolutely nothing.
The gallery of still photos from China can be viewed with any modem.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents. Visit Japan, Italy, England, Antarctica, Bali, Hawaii, Russia, Peru, Mayan Pyramids, Egypt, Greece, or Turkey; see whales, penguins, or polar bears.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures.
To watch a video or view the stills, please ask a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer"
Your Tip for China
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to China - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to China - visit the main China forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the China webguide section below! Thanks.
|
