Is Classical Music only Served for the Riches

Discovered the news from the Washington Post, actually Joshua Bell only got US$ 12 for 45-minute performance. and some people found it is annoying ...
on the other hand, his performance receives full-house and the ticket is hardly to get ... therfore is only classical music admired by the riches only ...
to be honest, if i was on the scene, i just covered my ears and rushed away from that 'noise'... it just deserved for concert hall.

Audio performance in Washington Post

Still Life/ Dong @ HKIFF

A great chance to get fuller picture of the intention of making Still Life through watching the documentary Dong at the same time.

Here i talk about Dong first. Dong was filmed during the production of Still Life. It portraited the director Jia Zhangke's long-time partner Liu Xiaodong (which is why the film called Dong). To be frank, i don't care what Liu's thinking... it was just rubbish ... what i care is how to link this film to Still Life.

There were some scenes which later reappeared in Still Life. The collapse of wall, Han Sanming viewed Three Gorges, officials disinfected the ruin ... Those repeated scenes make me wonder the trueness of the documentary. In parallel, the film followed Liu and went to Thailand. A scene followed a Thailand's girl, who was recruited as Liu model . When she knew flooding in her homeland, she immediately bought train ticket and back home. In addition, after Liu claimed that being his models, they can feel dignity. Later the film showed two blind street performers. In general, i think Dong provide additional explanation on Still Life.

Then Still Life, altogether contained four scenes (cigarette, liquor, tea, and toffee). Han Sanming 's story was in scene 1,2,4, whereas Zhao Tao's story was in scene 3. Han Sanming performed very well as an experienced mid-age guy. Judged from his appearance, he seemed to be fooled easily. In fact it wasn't. Among guys surrounded him, he was self-conscious. The others were eager to get fame and fortune ASAP. Being content become more and more difficult to us... Lure is everywhere.

Bugmaster the Movie @ HKIFF

My siblings and me went to see Bugmaster last Sunday. Bugmaster is adapted from Japanese manga by Yuki Urushibara. The story is about the main character Ginko traveled around and helped people who were suffered from illness caused by 'insect'.

As i've not seen the manga version, therefore i cannot compare two versions. Just give brief note on film version. First the art direction is stunning, especially when Ginko and Nui were under the river, dreamy-like scene ... Second, the main reason i watch the movie is 'Yû Aoi'. She first impressed me in Hana and Alice. Her simile just melting ... However, the duration of appearance is just very little ... Third, thought-provoking ending. Ginko carried his master to hillside and left. At that time i don't know whether Nui was died or not. For me, light of firefly seemed purify her longing for his son. Ginko had cured her dispression, finished his job ...

During screening, some audience's reactions just annoy us !!! They just laughed without any reason !!! VERY DISTURBING !!!