Stumbling on a Korean Film

Watched a South Korean film ("3-Iron") last night. I had thought that I rented a Chinese movie thanks to the Chinese characters in its title. (Both the Korean and Japanese languages have borrowed Chinese characters.) No wonder I couldn't remember having ever heard of this 'Chinese' movie. I had speculated that it was one of the small-budget Chinese productions aimed at winning awards in Europe. Had I checked out the director's name, I would have noticed its real origin.

Thus I had my first taste of modern South Korean film making. With a surreal plot and minimum sound effect, it is rather queer and somewhat pretentious. Certainly vastly different from the North Korean films I grew up watching, which were actually quite entertaining, with good story lines and very beautiful songs.

A Shameful Performance of The Economist

In a Canadian Safeway (grocery store), the British weekly The Economist is given a very conspicuous place this week - one of the three magazines featured. It is both surprising and interesting, as that is exactly what I would like to see - I don't want to search for it as I would have to in Chapters, Canada's well known bookstore chain.

The current issue has an article entitled "China's space blast". It is incredibly poorly written. The author/writing team is shallow and conceited. Even the majority of American commentaries do better.

It is not a question of impartiality, but one of knowledge, knowledge of the nuances of disarmament negotiations, Chinese politics, and international geopolitics. It is a shameful demonstration of what happens when ignorance meets arrogance. I have no doubt that many China hands and experts of international military politics would be shaking their heads at it.

It is embarrassing for a reputable magazine.