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Christian groups urge boycott of 'Lust, Caution'

 
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summertime



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 923

PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:19 am    Post subject: Christian groups urge boycott of 'Lust, Caution'

Christian groups urge boycott of 'Lust, Caution'

By L.A. Chung

Mercury News

Article Launched: 10/10/2007 01:33:59 AM PDT



Breaking from recent tactics used by mainstream Christian organizations, a small coalition of South Bay Chinese-American and other Christian groups is calling for a boycott of director Ang Lee's new movie, "Lust, Caution," saying its 30 minutes of "explicit and violent" sex scenes amounts to pornography.

"No matter how this film is dressed up . . . we think it is devastating if we accept it as art," Bill Tam of the Traditional Family Coalition said Tuesday during a news conference in Sunnyvale. He said his group represents about 200 Chinese churches in the region.

The NC-17-rated movie, which opened in New York on Sept. 28 and opens Friday in San Jose, was condemned by the coalition as pornography masquerading as art. Set in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation of the 1930s and '40s, the film follows a young female resistance fighter who sets out to seduce - and assassinate - a Chinese collaborator. The Taiwan-born Lee received the Venice Film Festival's top award last month.

Christian organizations in recent years have been veering away from boycotting movies with objectionable content, amid fears that boycotts and the surrounding publicity will actually have the opposite effect: drawing more viewers to the films. Instead, they have put their energies into educating the public about their values in context.

But Tam, along with some Chinese-American Christians, said the content of the movie, which none of them said they had seen, was simply too much. Tam was joined Tuesday by Larry Pegram of the South Bay-based Values Advocacy Council, Marilyn Markham of the Concerned Women of America, the Rev. Thomas Wang, who heads an international mission, and Margie Fong, a Cantonese talk-show host on KEST-AM (1450). The groups appeared in Wang's Sunnyvale offices, where he directs his ministry.

Pegram said the coalition members hope to take a stand. Markham and Wang added that they are not against sex itself, just the explicit, public and prolonged depiction of the act, and outside of marriage at that.

Fong, whose call-in talk program can be translated as "Heart to Heart," described the film as an offensive degradation of women and Chinese culture.

"We all have been taught self-respect and dignity," she said. "A small elite group of artists should not determine for us what is art."


http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_7134540
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Eri



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 589
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:06 am    Post subject:

Oh, dear. Sad

I knew there will be some group of people like them boycotting this film.

But they should remember that no one's forcing them to watch this or to believe this is the art for everyone.

>"We all have been taught self-respect and dignity," she said. "A small elite group of artists should not determine for us what is art."

Who are "A small elite group of artists", anyway ?

Of course, she can have her own idea, but we all know that no one can determine what is art for other people.
It is so simple if she is not trying to force others to accept her value.

>described the film as an offensive degradation of women and Chinese culture.

I don't agree with her. I knew something like this story actually happend in the past, so we should know what happened even if it hurts you, specially if you are Chinese or Japanese.
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Marie



Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Location: North Carolina, USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:27 am    Post subject:

Quote:
"A small elite group of artists should not determine for us what is art."


What utter nonsense! Artists have always been a small and elite group. If we leave art to the masses, we get films like Dumb and Dumber and Saw! Both of these films are far more objectional on artistic grounds than anything Ang Lee could ever concoct.

Sex and art do belong in the same bed. I was just watching Viva Erotica for the first time last night. That opening scene with Leslie in bed with his girlfriend making love, and imagining the scene as if he were a film director was absolutely hysterical (while also very erotic in a sort of tongue in cheek way). I haven't laughed so hard for a very long time. The religious right would be horrified. Too bad. Sex is part of every adult's life (whether or not we currently have a partner). Why not celebrate or examine it as part of our art? Much more honest than decrying sex as evil and dirty. Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it...

Oh dear, after all of this I see I must now add IMHO. Rolling Eyes

Marie
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Kerilyn



Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 101
Location: canada

PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:13 pm    Post subject:

Again, I quote the same quote from John Cleese:
Quote:
You've got to remember Christianity in America is mainly about sex. They're so deeply uncomfortable about every aspect of sex that they don't perhaps care about wars, or destroying the environment, or financial corruption – but anything to do with sex, sets them off. And it's because these people are operating at a very very low level of mental health, they are incapable of understanding the [Bible.]
^that's Cleese talking about "Life of Brian," another film that got intense public religious controversy.

They say that they're not against sex itself, only its explicit realistic depiction. That's the most stupidest pile of rubbish I've ever heard. I hate it when they call themselves "Christian organisations," as if God said so, like God decreed boycotting films in the Bible, when it's just their interpretation of it. "Christians" are like that every time, nearly all of them haven't seen the film, but since "their pastor says so" (and the pastor heard the uproar from one of his churchgoers who heard from his friend who heard it from his Christian friend who heard it from his own pastor who heard it from one of his churchgoers, who heard it from this guy who heard it from his pastor who heard it from this "Christian organisation") all the flock bumble behind the well-intentioned ill-guided pastor, picketing theatres, burning the related paraphernalia, sending letters to city councillors, petitioning political leaders to ban films, all that insanity. Whoever said Christianity isn't as sensitive as Islam is one hell of an idiot. "Degradation of women" ?? Somehow this film is so degrading to women, but if only they'd look at traditional Chinese thinking and common conventional readings of the Bible, they'd see the real sexism they've taken as everyday. Hypocrites! Grrrr!!
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Eri



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 589
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:46 pm    Post subject:

All I wanted to say to those people is;

If "A small elite group of artists should not determine for us what is art.", ok, then I think a big group of poeple also should NOT determine what is NOT art for others. Art is very personal thing, I think.

Ang Lee never said "This is the art, so you have to see this film and accept it". He even said "This is not going to be well received in North America but he can't help it."

So saying "No matter how this film is dressed up . . . we think it is devastating if we accept it as art", it is totally up to you, but don't bother others ! Mad
There are some individuals who are interested in watching this film, and they shouldn't be interrupted by a big group of people.

By the way, if "A small elite group of artists" happen to mean those film critics who used to say "It was too long and boring" then suddenly started saying "This is ultimate art, and you have to see it ." etc, then forget about them. (they are not artists even though they want to think they are.) Laughing
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Marie



Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Location: North Carolina, USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:33 am    Post subject:

Quote:
By the way, if "A small elite group of artists" happen to mean those film critics who used to say "It was too long and boring" then suddenly started saying "This is ultimate art, and you have to see it ." etc,


Ah, yes, the film critics. I sort of expected the reviews to change once the film was being shown outside of New York. New York critics (Variety, New York Times, etc.) are a very snobby and insular lot. They think they have an inside track on film culture and can tell the rest of us benighted, ignorant idiots who don't live in New York what is good film and what is not. Fortunately, the United States is a very large country and there are plenty of well-educated individuals who can think and speak for themselves who may happen to disagree with the New York cultural elite. Since this film does not fit easily into the three categories American film critics are used to dealing with (reasonably well-crafted popular entertainment (think "blockbuster"), not so well crafted popular entertainment (most Hollywood films), and independent cinema (American or foreign)), most critics who are ideologues are at a loss just how to view Lust, Caution and are having trouble deciding for themselves whether it is a good movie or not.

Can any of our Asian fans give us translations of the reviews from Hong Kong and Taiwan? It would be extremely interesting to compare the reviews from the part of the world depicted in the film, by the descendents of those who lived this war, with the critiques of Americans who have little knowledge or understanding of this period. We know the film is popular, but is it primarily because of the few minutes of sexually explicit scenes, or is it the general subject of the film that is selling tickets in Asia?

Marie
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Eri



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 589
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:43 pm    Post subject:

Hello, Marie

I can't speak for all asian, so this is my personal opinion;
I think there are a lot of people who have genuine interests in this story, and also some who are just interested in the film because it is so popular.

Most critics in Asia are favorable to "Lust, caution" specially after Venice but there are also some press reporters who are only forcusing on small details about sex scenes.

I personally very interested in the history of Shanghai around that time.
I read a lot of books about what happened. Shanghai was so incredible place then. Such a cosmopolitan city. (Chinese from different regions, Europeans, American, exiled Russian, Refugeed Jews, and Japanese etc)

There are lots of wealthy people (there were some long established company owners) and also a lot on the verge of starvation.
Spies including double or triple agents, gangsters, military sects, entertainers etc co existed.

This free (for rich and ones with power) but chaotic city was suddenly put under Japanese strict control with violence. So I can imagine people have to do anything to survive.
There are a lot of people who experienced life beyond imagination, yet these stories weren't told for a long time. Maybe because some feel they loose face by talking about it, or feel unbearable guilt or pain and wipe out from their memories.

I think "Lust, caution" is probably the first film to portray one of those stories with the real atmosphere at the time. (although it was based on a fictional story)

If you are interested in Shanghai's history,

http://www.amazon.com/Shanghai-Rise-Fall-Decadent-1842-1949/dp/0060934816/ref=pd_bbs_5/104-1055780-2611158?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192159122&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Shanghai-Espionage-Intrigue/dp/0395985374/ref=pd_sim_b_shvl_title_2/104-1055780-2611158

She used to teach English to young mistresses of Mr. Yee (who was in a very similar position to Tony's role) as a young girl in Shanghai.

http://www.amazon.com/Shanghai-Diary-Journey-Hitlers-War-Torn/dp/1595820000/ref=sr_1_34/104-1055780-2611158?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192159249&sr=8-34
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Marie



Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 143
Location: North Carolina, USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:54 pm    Post subject:

Eri,

Thanks for filling me in a bit about the situation in Shanghai before and during the war. I think this is just the sort of broader picture that Westerners, no matter how well-educated we are, are lacking when we approach this picture. It sounds like Lust, Caution (the film) resonnates on many levels in Asia. I suspected as much from what Ang Lee has said about it in English-language interviews. He has also been very honest from the beginning in saying that Westerners lacked the cultural knowledge to see the film in the same way someone from Asia who was under Japanese occupation would. It will be very interesting to see how the film does in Japan. I know this period is a cause of great emotional turmoil for many Japanese.

Marie
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Eri



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 589
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:48 pm    Post subject:

Marie wrote:
Eri,

Thanks for filling me in a bit about the situation in Shanghai before and during the war. I think this is just the sort of broader picture that Westerners, no matter how well-educated we are, are lacking when we approach this picture. It sounds like Lust, Caution (the film) resonnates on many levels in Asia. I suspected as much from what Ang Lee has said about it in English-language interviews. He has also been very honest from the beginning in saying that Westerners lacked the cultural knowledge to see the film in the same way someone from Asia who was under Japanese occupation would. It will be very interesting to see how the film does in Japan. I know this period is a cause of great emotional turmoil for many Japanese.

Marie


Regarding Westerners, as far as I know big numbers of Europeans involved with some kind of business in Shanghai (specially British, French and German), so they are more familier with the life in Shanghai (although it might be distorted), told by Grand parents or some relatives who used to live in Shanghai.

American and Japanese were late commers in Shanghai, but Japan was so close to China, a lot of people (besides Army) moved there to live in relatively short time.

I am not sure how Japanese generally receive this film until it starts in Japan, but I am also very interested in their reaction.
I don't think so many Japanese know that "Japanese Army paid someone like Mr.Yee huge amount of money to buy arms and to employ group of gangsters to form a secret agency.

Also it it ironic, Mr. Yee spent lots of the money to give expensive rings to his mistresses, so less money spent on arms. Consequently, some women like Ms Wong might had saved a lot of lives.
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