建国大业

China a republic? A democracy? How terms were abused, and continue to be abused in the 20th century!

Twitch has the trailer for Jian Guo Da Ye 建国大业 (The Founding of a Republic). And one thought that patriotic epic films were in the PRC's past. This new film commemorates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I don't think the movie will be as even-handed in dealing with the Nationalists as The Assembly.

How can it not be a propaganda piece? I'm disappointed by all of the Hong Kong actors and directors involved with this production. It is too much to call them Communist collaborators?

I think it is safe to say that most contemporary actors are narcissistic. How many are not "attention whores," having a strong desire to be the object of attraction for many people? They may play the hero on-screen, but how many of them would be willing to die for their country? (Compare this with the number of actors who served in the military during World War II.) I suspect this defect is even more widespread in East Asia (and is not at all tempered by mandatory military service in countries such as South Korea).

Greek plays were performed during religious occasions. How did the actors see themselves and their work? Were they concerned with creating a following? (This would seem to be difficult if based on the face alone, since that was covered by a mask. Through a distinctive voice, then?) Or were the actors religious, content with being anonymous performers, or just amateurs, like the medieval guilds putting on mystery plays?

Mainland actors may have the excuse that they do not know any better. But what about those who grew up in Hong Kong? How can they extol the Communist Party? Simply because the Communists are at least Chinese, while the British were foreigners? How can they claim to be proud of Hong Kong's democratic system, when they are undermining it in spirit by supporting the CCP in such a fashion, a group that knows nothing about true republicanism or active citizenship?

We are already seeing a renewal of state patronage of Confucianism in an attempt to fill in the spiritual and moral void created by Communism and the revolutions of the early 20th century. The Party is trying to undo what it has done, but it's probably too late. Trying to inflame the youth of China with a new fervor for the Communist Party will probably fail. The Communists can claim success in modernizing and industrializing China, and bringing material comfort to the masses, but how can they then refute the claim that they've done this too well, that this is all the young people in the cities really want now, some measure of material success and prosperity, and that nothing else matters, not even reproducing? Who can blame but themselves for the lack of spiritual values or the desire for anything transcending the here and now (most importantly, the family)?

In deviant regimes, citizens are not directed to virtue and the common good, but only for the benefit of those who rule. Even if we grant the Communists' claim to being the cause of China's material prosperity, it seems to be the case that those who rule have benefited in a disproportionate manner. And ensuring that material needs are satisfied is not sufficient -- the abundance of material goods in a polity cannot make up for its lack of virtue.

History shows us many examples of patriotism and love of the common good being perverted through statism and totalitarianism into something dehumanizing and servile. One may perhaps find a love of the small and the local among the peasants who are attached to their villages and land. But even among them, what dominates their sense of identity? Being Chinese and part of one empire. (Or one nation, though I would prefer to reserve the use of nation to a people with a distinct people. There is one political unit, the PRC, with many peoples of different ethnicities, or many nations.) While urban dwellers who have access to the Internet are the most vocal of Chinese nationalists on forums and blogs, do those who live in the villages lack the same nationalistic spirit?

Yes, there are some Mainland cuties starring in the movie, including Zhao Wei. I don't know if they'll be to help me stomach the movie long enough to watch it in its entirety.


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Related links:
The thoughts of Chairman Mao (starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li)
Jackie Chan, Jet Li add star power to Chinese propaganda film as officials try to woo young
Taiwan says it won't censor China's propaganda film
Chinasmack: “Jian Guo Da Ye” Movie Celebrates PRC 60th Anniversary


Trailer at Youtube; Kungfu Cinema

The Epoch Times: Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party
Foreign Affairs: Will the Chinese Communist Party Survive the Crisis?