Hit Chinese movie offers useful insights
Hit Chinese movie offers useful insights
Suwatchai Songwanich
Chinese moviegoers have flocked in their millions to see Lost In Thailand, a comedy about Chinese men travelling around Thailand and finding greater meaning in their lives. Released last December, the movie has proved the most popular in China's history and is expected to provide a great boost to the Thai tourism industry, especially given the importance of Chinese tourists, Thailand's biggest market.
Last year, 2.79 million Chinese came here, up by 62 percent from 2011. Growth from China is needed to compensate for the ongoing downturn in European visitors, and will be a key factor if the Thai tourism industry is to meet its target of Bt 2 trillion in tourist revenue by 2015 (total revenue in 2012 was around Bt 965 billion).By contrast, Back To 1942, a very serious Chinese movie which took 10 years to make and tells the story of a major drought in 1942 that killed millions in Henan province, was released about the same time as Lost In Thailand. It made less than half the money it expected to, prompting its director, a man used to success, to say he was no longer proud of his nation.
Apart from the benefits to the Thai tourism industry, there's another element to the Lost In Thailand phenomenon which offers some insight into modern China. Yes, the movie is relatively light-hearted, with a lot of slapstick humor so even those who can't understand Chinese can enjoy it. But underlying the "road-buddy" storyline is the tale of an uptight Chinese businessman joining up with a laid-back countryman and realizing the importance of spiritual and emotional fulfillment instead of just material wealth.
While it is easy to overplay the "spiritual quest" theme, the amount of analysis on this topic in the wake of the movie's success illustrates the soul searching China's economic success story is causing - at least among those whose material comfort allows them the relative luxury of introspection.
The reaction has been strongest from urban Chinese who have benefited most from the rapid growth in living standards. Peking University Professor Zhang Yiwu, an expert on Chinese cinema and literature, told Hong Kong's 'South China Morning Post' that the movie's main character portrays the worry and anxiety so common among the Chinese middle classes. These people "are ambitious and push for success and material wealth, while many of them feel confused and tired and even like they are losing themselves. Lost In Thailand is a very good movie for invoking thought and showing the frailty of urban citizens."
Many fans described the movie as like a mirror, causing them to reflect on just how much of their lives are taken up with material pursuits. Indeed, China's story of rapid development and the corresponding rise of a materialistic culture reflects the experience of many other developing countries - Bangkok's always-crowded shopping malls, for example, are a testimony to the enthusiasm of Thai consumers.
If Lost In Thailand is released in Thailand, I recommend you see it - for its entertainment value and for its subtle insights into Chinese attitudes to their increasing wealth.
Lin Zhi Ling - Top Taiwan Model
Lin Zhi Ling was born on November 29, 1973 in Taiwan. Lin Zhi Ling is one of the Taiwan Top and Sexiest Model.Lin Zhi Ling created a phenomenon in Taiwan; it took less than a year to make her the most talk about celebrity in worldwide Chinese community.
Lin Zhi Ling came from a strong family background. She left Taiwan when she was 15 and obtained her double major degree from Toronto University.Lin Zhi Ling started her entertainment career in modeling in 1999, started in catwalk and featured in various commercial ads, gradually gaining popularity among Taiwanese.
Lin Zhi ling’s popularity however shot sky high in 2004 when she was rumored to be the girlfriend of Taiwanese heartthrob Jerry Yan, whom they work in the same modeling agency.
The ‘Zhi Ling miracle’ was unstoppable since then, she appeared as ambassador for various products, started hosting TV show and gala events like Golden Horse Awards.
Lin Zhi Ling made international headlines in 2005 when she fell from a horse and suffered severe injury while filming for a commercial advertisement in China. The incident also created debates and controversies when Taiwan officials use president-like treatments for her, including a private jet to bring her back to Taiwan.
It took Zhi Ling a few months to recover from her injury; her entertainment career however was not affected, and grew even stronger.
In May 2006, Zhi Ling decided to take a break from her busy modeling and hosting career and take training courses in acting, to prepare for her debut movie “Red Cliff” directed by international famous director John Woo.
Lin Zhi Ling came from a strong family background. She left Taiwan when she was 15 and obtained her double major degree from Toronto University.Lin Zhi Ling started her entertainment career in modeling in 1999, started in catwalk and featured in various commercial ads, gradually gaining popularity among Taiwanese.
Lin Zhi ling’s popularity however shot sky high in 2004 when she was rumored to be the girlfriend of Taiwanese heartthrob Jerry Yan, whom they work in the same modeling agency.
The ‘Zhi Ling miracle’ was unstoppable since then, she appeared as ambassador for various products, started hosting TV show and gala events like Golden Horse Awards.
Lin Zhi Ling made international headlines in 2005 when she fell from a horse and suffered severe injury while filming for a commercial advertisement in China. The incident also created debates and controversies when Taiwan officials use president-like treatments for her, including a private jet to bring her back to Taiwan.
It took Zhi Ling a few months to recover from her injury; her entertainment career however was not affected, and grew even stronger.
In May 2006, Zhi Ling decided to take a break from her busy modeling and hosting career and take training courses in acting, to prepare for her debut movie “Red Cliff” directed by international famous director John Woo.
Comments