Early last month, we showed some previews and translated some Chinese netizen reactions to the new movie 建国大业 (jian guo da ye, The Founding of A Republic) in the post: “Jian Guo Da Ye” Movie Celebrates PRC 60th Anniversary. Here are some more translated comments, including some thoughts from famous Chinese blogger Han Han:
From Global Voices:
“China: The Founding of a Republic”
As a celebration of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October, the all-star epic “The Founding of a Republic” will be screened tomorrow, on 17 September. The film has stirred a heated discussion on the Internet – not for the film itself, but for the nationalities of the stars.
Some news reports in August said that among the 172 famous actors/actresses and directors involved in the film, 21 hold foreign nationalities.
Well-known mainland writer Han Han (韩寒) discussed this on his blog (8/12):
…my personal opinion is that if a country can cause so many actors to change their nationality, this country has to bear certain responsibilities…
It is their personal choice to change their nationality. This is like divorce: perhaps their affection for the country has somehow disappeared, or perhaps they come across something better. We can criticize them from a certain moral stand, but there is nothing wrong with their personal character.
For normal Chinese citizens, that is, for those who cannot afford to eat well, to live well, to entertain, to make good connections, to bear children, to fall sick or to die, the key point is that they cannot afford to emigrate. Therefore, seeing all these actors fleeing the country, it is natural for them to be envious.
This blog entry has generated a staggering amount of replies. Some are very critical about it:
徐然:
If they are foreigners, why don’t they develop their career overseas but in China instead?
Totiliy:
The list only concerns artists. If we include scientists etc etc, the results may be more surprising. Wonder if businessmen like to be foreigners, I guess they would like to if they have the ability.
新浪网友:
The fact that foreigners can participate in this film shows that the administrators do not have basic principles and dignity. As a result, China is being looked down upon by others.
There are also a variety of alternative, sometimes mocking, views:
新浪网友:
Foreign stars participating in a Chinese movie, especially “The Founding of a Republic”, have came a long way to make this film for us, we, Chinese, should thank them for their hard work.
妮娜:
… Don’t be too extreme. Having a foreign nationality is not betraying our country. They are returning to make films for China, to represent China in international film festivals. They are contributing to China…
飞翔:
We do not have the right to criticize others. Each person has its own choice. Having a foreign nationality does not mean that they do not love the Chinese race.
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