May 24-30, 2013
A Milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
May 24-30, 2013
Contents Society Outsourcing revolution
View The darker side Lifestyle Sleepless in China
Entertainment Hollywood looks east
Travel On Rara’s shores
Takashi Murakami’s first film
Top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia
>>DATEBOOK Politics A milestone
Film Intense drug wars
Happenings around Asia
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| May 24-30, 2013
The darker side
It is in the interests of Western retailers to pay as little as possible for the products they obtain from countries like Bangladesh, but this free-market efficiency often entails that at the other end of the capitalist food chain is life at constant risk Mahir Ali Dawn Karachi
E
xactly one day before Rana Plaza in the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital crumbled on April 24, press reports in Britain noted that Primark, a leading retailer of cutprice attire, had recorded a 24 per cent increase in sales in the six months to March, its revenue jumping to US$3.07 billion and operating profits leaping by 56 per cent to $365.36 million. Not a bad result, particularly
amid an economic downturn. In the same period, Primark opened 15 new stores across Western Europe. Fantabulous. How does it do it? One of the answers obviously lies in its expertise in sourcing cheap raw materials and manufacturing facilities. Then, notwithstanding a substantial profit margin, the finished product can still be retailed with a competitively low price tag. The consumer is pleased to bag a bargain, the company is delighted by the bounce in its bottom line. Everyone’s thrilled by the efficiency of free-market operations, right? Well, not
quite. The low-cost, highprofit-margin phenomenon all too often entails that at the other end of the capitalist food chain, life, too, is cheap. Primark was a leading customer at one of the garment factories housed in the Rana Plaza, whose collapse has killed more than 1,000 workers. The official death toll stood at nearly 1,119 after rescue efforts—which saved scores of lives—formally ended. Ominous-looking cracks had reportedly appeared in the building a day earlier, and local authorities in the Savar industrial area claim they warned the
VIEW
business owners in Rana Plaza to temporarily shut down their facilities. A bank and a few shops complied with the advice, but the garment factories ignored it. “I wouldn’t call it an accident,” Bangladesh’s information minister Hasanul Haq Inu declared after the event. “I would say it’s murder.” Mass murder would be more accurate, and it’s an act in which the minister’s government is at least partially complicit. Bangladesh relies on garments for more than 80 per cent of its export earnings. Tighter regulation of that industry could bite into those earnings, which possibly helps to explain why—beyond customary inefficiency and endemic corruption—the laws that exist are often not enforced. Rana Plaza is said to have been built without proper planning permission on swampy terrain. But even if the government were
| May 24-30, 2013
to make a greater effort to ensure that building safety standards are adhered to—something it did not seriously bother to do after 112 workers died in a garment factory in November 2012—the bigger issue would remain unresolved. It is, after all, an insidiously vicious circle. It is clearly in the interests of the Western retailers to pay as little as possible for the products they obtain from countries such as Bangladesh. It is equally clearly in the interests of their subcontractors to squeeze expenses—be it in terms of salaries or maintenance of premises—in order to maximise their own profits. The workers, in turn, are willing to toil long hours for a pittance, because it beats going hungry, or trying to earn a living via subsistence agriculture. In recent decades it has commonly been argued that globalisation has lifted millions out of poverty in nations such
as China and India. That’s technically true, going by the international marker of absolute poverty, supposedly an income of about $1 a day. That hasn’t kept pace with inflation, but even if it had done so, it would surely be arbitrary to argue that an increase in daily intake from $0.95 to $1.05— or even $1.50—represents a substantial difference in either absolute or relative terms. The minimum wage in Bangladesh may have risen in recent years, but enforcement remains an issue. As does child labour. Practices that are against the law are not necessarily against the norm. It has been noted that if the global labels that exploit Bangladeshi labour were to pay an extra 10 cents for each of the more than six billion pieces of clothing they procure each year, the additional $600 million could pay for marked improvements
VIEW
in factory conditions. It would not be terribly easy to ensure, however, that the extra revenue goes where it is directed. Primark has announced that it will compensate the families of victims, and has urged other retailers to follow suit. Let’s hope they do, but what are the chances this post hoc generosity will alter the kind of mentality that precipitated last month’s “structural adjustment” in Dhaka?
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POLITICS
| May 24-30, 2013
A milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
POLITICS
| May 24-30, 2013
A milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
POLITICS
| May 24-30, 2013
A milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
POLITICS
| May 24-30, 2013
A milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
POLITICS
| May 24-30, 2013
A milestone Pakistanis can hold their heads high after conducting and participating in landmark general elections
POLITICS
Raza Ali Sayeed Dawn Karachi
T
he elections are over and the people of Pakistan have made their decision. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) tiger has come roaring back to life and its chief Nawaz Sharif has made the greatest comeback since Lazarus, becoming elected as prime minister for an unprecedented third term. Having won a clear majority in the National Assembly and in Punjab’s provincial assembly, the PML-N will now hold talks with other parties to form a coalition government at the centre which they will lead. In a conciliatory tone Sharif has said; “I appeal for all parties to come to the table and sit with me and solve the country’s problems.”
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The PML-N may have won but other parties have cause to celebrate too, as well as a moment to pause and reflect upon what went wrong and how they lost their way with voters. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) received a drubbing in the polls. Despite having maintained their stronghold of Sindh, their poor record of governance in the previous five years appears to have repelled the electorate. The party has some serious soul-searching to do, but of course, must never be dismissed as dead and buried. They may be relegated to being mostly a provincial party now, but the PPP still has plenty of mojo and have overcome greater setbacks than this in their history. The Awami National Party (ANP), who probably suffered more than any other party at the hands of extremist attacks in the lead up to elections, will now need to rebuild themselves
after having been completely decimated in the elections. The ANP now have only a single seat in the National Assembly and have been wiped out at the provincial level, according to initial results. Like the PPP, they may have tried to play the sympathy vote for electoral success, but that doesn’t seem to have worked and a bad performance record on the part of an incumbent government has left them virtually without any representation in the elected assemblies. Balochistan, meanwhile, is still an anomaly, and the situation there remains murky. Voter turnout was reported to have been at a minimal in the Baloch dominated areas, while the Pakhtun areas have had at least 35 to 40 per cent voter turnout. Whatever happens in the future, one can only hope that it works out for the best in that troubled and alienated province.
POLITICS
The 2013 polls brought along surprises aplenty. Certain factors that many deemed would be ‘game changers’ emerged as little more than hype, for one. The peculiar politics of each province maintained the natural status of things, something many had assumed would be shattered in the process. A number of analysts who predicted the PML-N would take the majority of seats were right, but were off the mark in terms of the clear mandate the party has received. Others who thought the Pakistan Tehrik-iInsaf ’s (PTI) channeling of the youth vote would turn things on their head were wrong. The PTI ‘tsunami’ did affect KhyberPakhtunkhwa (KPK), but failed to demonstrate much of an impact in other provinces. PTI chairman Imran Khan has alleged rigging in the polls, despite having accepted defeat in the elections. He has also said that the PTI will sit in the opposition benches
| May 24-30, 2013
in the National Assembly. But the PTI need not lose hope. Enthusiastic and energised supporters of the party came out in large numbers to vote for their party and made for an impressive feat by winning 30 seats, compared to zero in the previous National Assembly, according to unofficial results. The only time anyone from the PTI has sat in an assembly, national or provincial, was in 2002 and that was the PTI chairman himself. They now have the majority in KPK and could form the government in the province. If they manage to turn things around and bring genuine peace and stability to KPK, general sentiment towards the party would definitely see a significant change. Pakistan’s democracy is by no means perfect nor efficient, but letting the democratic process go through its natural mutation is the only way to move forward. If there’s one thing
we’ve proved in the previous five years, it’s that despite the suicide bombings, terrorism, bloodshed, loadshedding and all the other difficulties we went through, the poll process itself could not be derailed. After all, even the United States, United Kingdom and other great democracies of the world did not get to where they are now on paths strewn with rose petals. They too have stepped on many thorns along the way, before the path was finally cleared for real democracy to take tangible form. It happened there, and it will certainly happen for Pakistan in time.
LIFESTYLE
| May 24-30, 2013
Sleepless in China How are Chinese people sleeping at night?
Do the Chinese sleep, dream sweet dreams? A study shows developing good sleeping habits can be difficult for some Chinese.
LIFESTYLE
Li Yang China Daily
N Beijing
ot well, according to China’s first sleep index, published by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. The report investigated thousands of residents in 20 cities, 20 counties and 20 villages from November to December 2012 and found that the overall sleep quality among Chinese people is not high. One important
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cause is that most Chinese do not have awareness of the importance of healthy sleep, and fewer still know how to scientifically improve sleep quality. The average sleep time of a Chinese person is eight hours and 50 minutes each day, but at least half of those surveyed report feeling tired after getting up. The national average sleep score is 64.3 on a scale of 100. “Chinese people’s sleeping time is not short. However, their sleep quality is quite low,” said Mu Yue, president of Horizon Studies and Consulting Company, a partner of the association. “Chinese people need to improve their sleep quality by changing their lifestyle and paying attention to some factors that are necessary for good sleep.” The research in Beijing supports his view. In the capital city, people get up at 6:33am and go to bed at 10:15pm on average. However, the long amount
of time spent in bed does not translate necessarily into good sleep. Beijing ranked third among 20 cities in terms of difficulty falling asleep. More than 80 per cent of Beijing residents complain that stress affects their sleep. Difficulty breathing and nightmares are also common problems. Cao Jidong, an office clerk in Beijing, said: “I live in the east suburb of Beijing and work in the west second-ring road of the city. It takes me two hours total to go to my office from my home by bus and subway. To ensure that I arrive in the office at 8:30am, I have to leave home at 6am. My work ends at 6pm. When I get home at around 8:30pm, I feel too tired to talk. I sleep in the subway and in bed.” But people can still sleep well despite a heavy workload if they know how to properly cope with stress and create the necessary conditions for good sleep,
LIFESTYLE
according to the association. “I now understand how precious and wonderful sleep is. Most of the time, I take a short nap after I come back from school, and at night I normally go to bed at 10pm,” said Penny Lau, an English teacher from Malaysia who now works in Beijing. “And when I lie in bed, I normally don’t go to sleep immediately. I think and dream until I fall asleep. And because I have more than enough sleep at night, I feel very refreshed throughout the whole day.” The Chinese Preventive Medicine Association’s Internet survey identified a lack of deep sleep as the main cause for low-quality sleep. Both of the medical associations warn that using a computer or cell phone before sleep not only prevents one from falling asleep but also affects the overall sleep quality because the artificial lights stimulate
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Study shows 38 per cent of Chinese have sleep disorders compared to the world average of 27 per cent. Ed Jones/AFP
optic nerves and the brain. Research shows that 14 per cent of Chinese people go to sleep after midnight. Some 43.2 per cent of them play computer games immediately before sleeping, and 67.1 per cent urban residents use cellphones and computers before going to bed. “I go to bed at 11pm and play with my iPhone until 1am
and then get up at 7:30am. I have been used to this lifestyle since my college days,” said Liu Qijing, 26, a marketing assistant at a telecommunications company in Shenzhen, of Guangdong province. “I know it is harmful to my health, and I feel the negative effects already, but it is very difficult to
LIFESTYLE
change these life habits.” Liu is one of the 70 per cent of Chinese Internet users surveyed by the preventive medicine association who reported having sleep disorders. Many conclusions can be drawn from the report by the doctors association based on comparisons among different places and groups of people. “Our research results indicate people in the south and the west of China sleep better than their northern and eastern counterparts. Rural people sleep better than urban residents, male better than female, the single better than the married, and people with lower education backgrounds sleep better than those who are more educated,” said Qin Xiaoming, vicechairman of the association. An example of this trend is Zhang Xianzhen, 91, a farmer in Wuhe county of Anhui province. “I still live the life of a farmer.
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I work and do physical exercise every day now. I don’t need so much sleep—from 10pm to 4am the next morning,” Zhang said. “I wash my feet with hot water before going to bed almost every night. I have done it for 30 years. It is very helpful. Sleep has never been a problem in my life, except during the Land Reform in early 1950s and the ‘cultural revolution (1966-1976)’ when I was criticised as a former landowner before 1949. I did not expect I could have such a happy life now. What else can I ask for?” His son, Zhang Wei, 49, a veteran investment bank manager working in Nanjing of Jiangsu province, has a different view of sleep. “Sleep is a terrible experience,” the younger Zhang said. “I have so many problems to solve each day. I force myself to lie in bed sometimes. But the more I do so, the more difficult it is for me to sleep. I always
feel dizzy the next morning. I hope I can earn some money in several years and quit the job. The media has created a false image that associates sleeping less with success, which is dangerous and misleading, said Han Fang, chairman of the Chinese Sleep Research Society. “More than 1 million Chinese die of heart attacks each year, 30 per cent of whom pass away in their sleep,” Han said. “People having sleep disorders must go to see a doctor for professional treatment, especially those with hypertension and heart illnesses. Everyone should pay attention to developing healthy sleep habits to protect their physical and mental health.” She says that 38 per cent of Chinese have sleep disorders compared to the world average of 27 per cent. “There are more than 80 kinds of illnesses related to sleep orders, which should not only be
LIFESTYLE
solved through medical means but also social and psychological methods,” Han said. Han recommends that people with sleep problems regularly exercise but not right before sleep and find more ways, such as singing, dancing and talking with other others, to relieve stress. Someone who successfully manages one’s own sleep is also a good manager of time and stress, she said. Waruna Chandrakeerthi, a man from Sri Lanka in his 40s who is now studying at the Communication University of China in Beijing, agrees with Han’s suggestion.
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“I don’t like to work at night. I prefer to do my all work in the daytime. Nighttime is for sleep. Even small birds know it. To fall asleep within minutes and have a sound sleep like a baby, you should have a calm and quiet mind,” Chandrakeerthi said. “As a Buddhist, I know we are suffering. But, I try to keep my mind calm. For this, you don’t need to go to a dedicated meditation centre. You can do this while you are walking, while you are having a daily shower. There are so many ways to tame your mind. If you take all your troubles seriously and walk around with them, you definitely
go to bed with them too.” The report from the doctors association suggests Chinese people should attach more significance to creating a favourable environment for sleep. Environmental conditions, such as temperature, noise, light and bed, play an important role in people’s sleep and deciding their sleep quality. Chun Tian, 28, a broadcaster at a radio station in Beijing said she has learned how to create a good sleep environment. Lastly, it is recommended that beds only be used for sleep or sex and not for work or general recreation.
SOCIETY
| May 24-30, 2013
Outsourcing revolution The hottest job in the Philippines: call centre agents Tina Arceo-Dumlao Philippine Daily Inquirer Manila
W
ant to earn quickly? Apply for a job in call centres. According to the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), a call centre agent is the hottest job in the Philippines with supply unable to match the demand. BLE data on www.philjob.net showed that from April 22-29, vacancies for call centre agents reached 2,757. Next on the list of top 20 vacancies is production machine operator, followed by sales clerk and labourer.
For possible overseas as well as local employment, the demand is highest for machine operators at 1,002 vacancies, followed by steelmen at 910, domestic helpers, production and factory workers, heavy truck drivers, private housekeepers and welders. The BLE said the ranking of hot jobs changes from week to Filipino call centre personnel attend to US clients week but not by much, at a business process outsourcing office in Manila. indicating that the The business process outsourcing is one of the same jobs have been in fastest growing businesses in the Philippines. demand for about a year. Other soughtdelivery driver, sales officer after jobs are merchandiser, and motorcycle driver. technical support staff, promo Big demand overseas salesperson, customer service assistant, cashier, office clerk, Jose Mari Mercado, president
LIFESTYLE
and chief executive officer of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), told the Inquirer that he was not surprised that the job of the call centre agent emerged as the hottest in the Philippines because of the great demand for contact centre services, particularly in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Mercado noted that the Philippines was the world’s leading provider of contact services and that ranking was not expected to be wrested anytime soon with the industry expected to grow by another 18-20 per cent this year. Data from BPAP, the umbrella organisation for business process outsourcing services, showed that the industry employed a total of 770,000 at the end of 2012, of which over 500,000, or 65 per cent, were in the call centre industry. This year, the employment number is expected
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to increase to 960,000 with the call centre industry still accounting for about 65 per cent. 1 to 1.5 for every 10 Filling that demand, however, remained a challenge as only 1 to 1.5 for every 10 applicants get hired. “Hiring is one of our challenges. Yes, we speak Retrenched Filipino semiconductor workers attend English, but not the the first day of English language communication level of English that the skills training course for call centre jobs in industry is looking for. Makati. Graduates usually trip Romeo Gacad/AFP when they engage in freeflowing conversation, (Tesda). The so-called near-hires, and when we talk about or those who fall just a little short business communication,� of requirements, get 100 hours explained Mercado. of training in communication Training programme from an accredited Tesda He said, however, that the training institution so that industry had been able to respond they can meet industry to this challenge through the standards. BPAP provided the training programme bankrolled curriculum and manages the by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 350-million-peso (US$8.47
LIFESTYLE
million) training programme, Mercado said that some 46,500, or over 70 per cent, of those who went through the programme landed jobs. Call centre agents earn a starting basic salary of between 11,000 pesos ($266) and 14,000 pesos ($339) a month. They also get a night differential and some of the leading call centre companies provide transport and meal allowances. “We see the demand for call centre agents to continue to go up. It is a good job that provides opportunities for growth,” said Mercado. Due to economy growth The demand for skilled labour in the construction industry was attributed to the general growth in the economy, said Miguel Varela, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). The PCCI continues to work with the Department of
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Education to tighten the link between what the industry needs and the skills that the college graduates end up with, Varela said. “We need to focus more on what the industry needs so that the graduates will immediately have a job after school.”
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood looks east But access to China’s market is not easy
| May 24-30, 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Liu Wei China Daily Beijing
I
n 2012, China became the second-largest film market in the world, behind only the United States. The booming market has sparked the interest of Hollywood, which is trying various ways, many innovative, to enter the Chinese market through collaborations and co-productions with Chinese companies. But critics say full and genuine co-productions between Hollywood and the Chinese film industry still have a long way to go. A report from the Motion Picture Association of America found box office revenues in China reached 16 billion yuan (US$2.59 million) in 2012. China contributes the most overseas box office revenue for many Hollywood productions, such
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as Avatar and Transformers 3. The booming profits are prompting Hollywood to take a greater interest in China, but access to the market is not easy. China imports only 34 foreign films a year for theatrical release, and Hollywood studios get no more than 25 per cent of the revenue. There are also protective policies for domestic films, such as releasing two Hollywood blockbusters on the same day to dampen their impact. Co-produced films, however, are exempt from the quota and treated as domestic productions, for which investors can discuss how the profits are distributed. There are, however, rigid criteria for co-productions. Only when Chinese investment, cast, crew and aspects of the main storyline meet the requirements of the State Film Bureau can a co-produced film go ahead.
“The most important criterion of co-production is whether the story is about China and Chinese people, and whether it delivers Chinese values and culture,� says Liang Longfei, vice-president of M1905.com, the official website of the China Movie Channel. The rigid criteria and strong market has promoted Hollywood studios to take inventive approaches in their attempts to make their mark in China. Paramount Pictures is working with the China Movie Channel, with the help of Los Angelesbased Jia-flix Enterprises, on the production of Transformers 4, which will be released in June 2014. The three parties will cast four Chinese actors for the film via a reality TV show in China. Aspiring actors need to submit footage online to take part, and 100 will be selected for the TV show that will follow them as
ENTERTAINMENT
they compete to win a role in the movie. The judging panel includes senior Hollywood insiders such as producer Lorenzo DiBonaventura and Megan Colligan, Paramount’s marketing and distribution chief. But even with the involvement of the China Movie Channel, the film will not be given co-production status. “We certainly want it to be,” says Liang, “but authorities define a co-production as films that tell Chinese stories with leading Chinese actors, and more importantly, films that convey Chinese culture and enhance the country’s soft power. For a film like Transformers 4, it is almost impossible. We all know it is about robots.” Paramount is not the only major Hollywood studio that is wooing the Chinese market. Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3, which was not granted co-
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production status, will make a special version of the film for the Chinese market, featuring an appearance by popular actress Fan Bingbing, and bonus footage made exclusively for Chinese audiences. The Chinese and global versions of the film will both feature veteran Chinese actor Wang Xueqi, who plays a new character called Dr Wu. Wu is a friend to the protagonist Tony Stark in the film, which premiered in China on May 1. “We are confident that our stories will continue to be enjoyed by Chinese audiences,” says a statement from Marvel Studios’ parent company The Walt Disney Company. “And adding a local flavour will enhance the appeal and relevance of our characters in China’s fastgrowing film marketplace.” Aside from finding a Chinafriendly storyline, production companies must also find a capable
local partner who understands local authorities and audiences and can help Hollywood studios better access the market. Although there is no rating system, China’s authorities examine films’ plots before allowing them to be released in theatres. Concerns are mainly focused on gratuitous sex and violence, but there can be other reasons a film is withheld. Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained was withdrawn from theaters on its opening day on April 11, for what authorities euphemistically described as “technical reasons”. The China Movie Channel, backed by the State Film Bureau, is believed to be a helpful partner for Hollywood studios. “We will definitely give useful suggestions to ensure a film has a good launch in China,” says Liang of M1905.com. “This is the foundation of our cooperation.”
ENTERTAINMENT
“Their background certainly does not hurt,” says Marc Ganis of Jiaflix, the company that has been acting as a go-between for Paramount and the China Movie Channel on Transformers 4. The China Movie Channel can also help Paramount to secure shooting locations. At a forum at the third Beijing Film Festival on April 20, Ganis suggested Transformers 4 may shoot some scenes in historic Chinese buildings, which is very difficult to win approval for. Marvel chose DMG Entertainment to help them make Iron Man 3. DMG Entertainment is a 20-year-old company based in Beijing and run by Dan Mintz, an American producer who speaks fluent Chinese. Insiders reveal DMG played a significant role in getting Wang Xueqi to join the cast and convincing the studio to
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make a special version of the film for the Chinese market. Only two weeks after Iron Man 3’s promotional event in Beijing on April 6, DreamWorks announced at the Beijing Film Festival it will work with the state-owned China Film Group to produce the adventure epic, Tibet Code. China Film Group is the most powerful film production and distribution company in China, and it has the exclusive rights to import foreign films for theatrical release. Jiang Wei, general manager of Edko (Beijing) Films Limited, which co-produced The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with Universal Pictures in 2008, says genuine cooperation between Hollywood and the Chinese film industry is still a long way off. “The current approaches work more like marketing strategies to win Chinese attention and hospitality,” he says.
“There is no real in-depth cooperation, in which staff from both countries work together, like what the English and Australian filmmakers have been doing in Hollywood.” The Chinese film industry needs to grow for greater cooperation to be achieved, he says. “When China’s film industry grows as an equal partner and the box office becomes big enough, the Hollywood community will have to think of real stories involving Chinese culture and people who are real characters. Only then will real co-productions be possible,” he says.
ENTERTAINMENT
| May 24-30, 2013
Takashi Murakami’s first film Contemporary Japanese artist takes on social contradictions in directorial debut
Photos by AFP
ENTERTAINMENT
The Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo
U
sing computer graphics, figures and social satire, internationally famed artist Takashi Murakami has taken his signature style of blending various subcultures to the silver screen. In his directorial debut, Mememe no Kurage (Jellyfish Eyes), Murakami tells the fantastical story of a group of children and their mysterious animal “friends” as they battle an evil entity trying to destroy the world. The epic science-fiction film opens with primary school student Masashi (Takuto Sueoka) moving to a small town that is home to an enigmatic laboratory. One day, he happens upon a strange animal in a cardboard box, which he names Kurage-bo.
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At school, Masashi finds that most of his classmates have been given similar animals, called “Friends”, by the laboratory—though no one knows the reason why. As a young boy, Murakami was influenced by numerous works that utilised special visual effects and animation, such as Ultraman, Akuma-kun and Mirai Shonen Konan (Future boy Conan), to name a few. Although these works were aimed at children, they were also full of satire and critical of society, Murakami said. “I want to do the same,” he said. “I made this film as a sort of fairy tale that depicts the social contradictions, particularly those that arose after the accident at the [Fukushima No. 1] nuclear power plant [caused by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake].” When he was an art student,
Murakami had aimed to become an animator. However, he explained that he chose to become an artist after suffering a setback. For this reason, he took extra care in creating the plot and designing the animal characters to make his dream come true. “Museums are places you go to see the works of dead people. I also aim to create [artistic] pieces that can be enjoyed long after I die,” he said. “But this film is meant to be enjoyed by audiences now. I based it on works that were meant to be screened at arthouses or smaller theatres, such as Georges Melies’ A Trip to the Moon [released in 1902].” To do so, he made every effort to make the film entertaining. In particular, the climactic battle among the Friends stands out in the film. He even featured his breakthrough work Miss Ko2, a life-sized figure of a beautiful girl
ENTERTAINMENT
that Murakami jointly created with figurine manufacturer Kaiyodo Co. “The most important thing for me is surprising the audience. I want to make them feel as if they’ve never seen this kind of thing before,” Murakami said. While shooting the film, Murakami was so particular about the CGI and sound effects that he asked multiple artists to score each scene. “I really made it difficult for my crew,” he said. “But honestly, I’m an amateur director and I have no experience in crafting a story, so I wanted to compensate for these weaknesses with good sound and other effects.” Murakami also fought with his crew daily, sometimes calling for dozens of takes for a single scene. After filming the same scene countless times, neither side listened to the other over whether to do the scene again, leading to
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long stretches of awkward silence. Murakami also said his art dealers were initially against his venture into filmmaking. But once he started making the film, he was struck with a number of ideas for
paintings and sculptures. “As a result, I was able to create three times the number of works that I had initially anticipated,” he said. “I’m in my prime as an artist. I’ve already started a sequel to the film.”
FILM
Intense drug wars Johnnie To Kei-Fung’s newest film, Drug War, is a heady, realistic exploration of the prevalence and dynamics within drug crime in China
| May 24-30, 2013
FILM
Wen Shin Kuo The China Post Taipei
T
he well-known Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei-Fung has arrived at a landmark moment in his long, illustrious career. The new film Drug War, which follows the story of a police investigator waging a deadly battle against drug lords in China and Hong Kong, is the auteur’s 50th venture, and is already proving one of his most successful films. Within the first two weeks of its release in China, in fact, Drug War had already grossed over NT$600 million (US$20.08 million). To collaborates here with scriptwriter and co-director Wai KaFai, with whom he has worked with before. “Without Wai Ka-Fai, this would have been impossible. He
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has an amazing imagination. Any kind of genre he can make a movie out of. We’ve been working together for so many years, but each project with him always brings something new and exciting,” said To. Filming for the first time in China, and backed by a crew whose members come from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, the two masterminds have come together to create yet another nail-biting thriller.
Occupational hazards The making of Drug War was an ‘intense’ experience, according to actor Wallace Chung, who plays a cop in the film. Many actors, he said, suffered minor injuries, usually in the process of filming the various copversus-bad guy chase scenes littered throughout the script. Chung himself, for instance, had accidentally set his gun off
when he’d placed it between his legs while shooting an action sequence in a car. Of course, the gun did not use actual bullets, but the flash burns were very real indeed, leaving a large, visible wound on Chung’s left thigh. “Another time I hurt my knee in a car collision,” Chung said. “We’d taken the necessary safety precautions, but some of the scenes were very demanding.” But such risks come with the territory, the actor believes, and he said that despite the dangers associated with making such a high-level action thriller, he feels “honoured” to have been a part of the film. “When you’re an actor, you have to commit yourself to a role, regardless of what that entails and that’s what we did,” Chung said.
Some stories can’t be told Drug War is essentially a realistic (often shockingly so)
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look into drug crime in China. The filmmakers have made admirable attempts to explore the prevalence and repercussions of drug use and trafficking in the region, and the power dynamics behind the lucrative drug market. In going forth with the project, however, directors say the biggest challenge was encountered in acquiring the approval of the Chinese government. “Drug War is a commercial film, but it’s also grittier than your usual mainstream fare,” Wai said. “And police crime flicks are not very common in China, so we knew it wouldn’t be a piece of cake to get the go-ahead.” Wai added that the original script went through a lot of modifications as they gauged how far they could go while still being ensured the government’s approval. “It wasn’t easy knowing what we could retain
| May 24-30, 2013
and what we had to throw out,” he said. “There was no clear rulebook or guidelines to follow, so we just basically had to keep changing things around, and that meant the final product was a lot different from what we’d started out with.”
Iron To What is interesting is that the filmmakers did not have a fixed script to work with while making Drug War; they would have an outline of the story in mind, but were juggling seven to eight scripts, trying to keep things as fresh as possible, and leaving as much
room for improvement as they could. While this certainly inspired more spontaneous performances on the part of the actors, it also compounded the stress on set, with director To—known for his stern standards and temper— often flying into a rage. “With no script and a personality like To’s, there was naturally a kind of constant temper in the air,” Chung said. He revealed that To would often get very angry, even smashing things around him when certain mistakes were made. To himself admitted that he’d actually broken a TV set once in one of his ‘moods’. “As nervous as it makes you to work under such conditions, it’s also necessary,” Chung added. “It forces you to focus on your craft— no sitting around and chatting. You need a strict leader if you are to get things done right.”
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| May 24-30, 2013
On Rara’s shores A trip to the scenic, unsullied surrounds of Rara—Nepal’s largest lake—makes for a rewarding and unforgettable experience
The Kathmandu Post
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| May 24-30, 2013
On Rara’s shores A trip to the scenic, unsullied surrounds of Rara—Nepal’s largest lake—makes for a rewarding and unforgettable experience
The Kathmandu Post
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| May 24-30, 2013
On Rara’s shores A trip to the scenic, unsullied surrounds of Rara—Nepal’s largest lake—makes for a rewarding and unforgettable experience
The Kathmandu Post
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| May 24-30, 2013
On Rara’s shores A trip to the scenic, unsullied surrounds of Rara—Nepal’s largest lake—makes for a rewarding and unforgettable experience
The Kathmandu Post
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Pragati Shahi The Kathmandu Post Kathmandu
R
ara lake, in mid-western Nepal, has been described by one traveller as “a shimmering blue jewel set in a ring of snowy peaks”. That, and the many other raving testaments I’d come across over time, had convinced me that I needed to see it for myself. A few weeks ago, it finally happened. In a bid to get away from the bustle of Kathmandu, five of us had taken some time off work and flown to the city of Nepalgunj before heading to Jumla further west, from where a three-day trek would take us to the shores of Rara. The first day’s walk started early in the morning, passing along wide trails that ran through the pine forests, sheep pastures, and up a
| May 24-30, 2013
steep incline to emerge over a rise. Views of the Patrasi and Jagdula mountains dominated one’s vision, made even more picturesque by the black clouds hovering overhead. Of course, such views became practically commonplace as we went along. But there were also some discouraging sights, namely the massive clearing of pine forests in a lot of places; the difficult terrain and poor patrolling by the concerned authorities means that deforestation has continued unchecked here. Two days of walking over alternating uphill and downhill routes finally brought us to Talcha—a small village located not too far from the lake. From here, we were offered a lift by a Nepal Army (NA) officer, taking the newly-made stretch of road that connected Talcha to the lake’s eastern shore extending to the Rara National Park (RNP), the
country’s smallest protected area. We drove past beautiful forests where pine, spruce and juniper trees mingled, cattle and horses grazed on grassy highlands, with white-topped mountains forming a perennial backdrop, before coming to a stop at Upper Milli Chaur, a marshy terrain. From here we had to walk for about 45 minutes to get to Rara’s shore. The minutes could not have passed any slower as we trudged on towards the lake, hoping for a telltale peek of its waters through the trees, but in vain. It wasn’t until we arrived at an open green flat-topped meadow that was dotted with cows and horses roaming freely that we actually saw the lake. I’m not usually at a loss for words, but that first glimpse of the lake—it was almost impossible to process so much beauty in one place. Rara is located at an altitude of 2,990 metres above
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sea level, and boasts a maximum depth of around 167 metres. There are beautiful walking trails that run along its shoreline, which extends to around 10.8 kilometres. The water that day was calm, a repository for a dazzling array of tones and hues of blue, and rhododendron trees could be spotted here and there, reflected in the lake. We sat there for more than two hours, mesmerised by the sparkling silver sheet that seemed to stretch into infinity, not wanting to move until we’d taken it all in. When we were ready to set out again, we were assisted onto a boat by NA personnel and sped to the other end of the lake, where we would be staying the night. The 50-minute ride brought us to the part of the shore where the RNP office, the NA barrack and a small lodge stood. Over the hours we spent there, we saw Rara transform from its
| May 24-30, 2013
tranquil state in the morning to a fierce, choppy entity following a bout of heavy rain, and then back to calm, rainbows dancing over its surface, once the rain had subsided. At night-time, the mountains surrounding the lake still gleamed bright, giving the water a shimmery sparkle even in the darkness. The next morning, it was another walkabout on the shores, before we bid the lake beneath the mountains a final goodbye and headed downhill, from where it was a matter of retracing our steps back to the city. In recent years, a growing number of organisations and travel entrepreneurs have been trying to lure visitors to the area, pitching a number of projects that would appeal to tourists. None of which have, however, undertaken serious consultations with national park authorities. The impacts such ill-
planned projects could have on the area are obvious—it would be a shame if they were to go through, marring what is at present an unsullied natural wonderland. There is something sobering about visiting pristine spots like this one, places that one doesn’t find as exploited in the guidebooks to the extent other places around Nepal are. There is a sense of sacredness about such locales, marked by the feeling that you’re only a small speck in an untouched world that has stood the test of time, as well as the need to respect that, to leave no footprints behind.
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| May 24-30, 2013
Top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia Fed up of the usual destinations and want to try out something different for a change? Perhaps this A- list can help you out
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| May 24-30, 2013
Top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia Fed up of the usual destinations and want to try out something different for a change? Perhaps this A- list can help you out
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| May 24-30, 2013
Top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia Fed up of the usual destinations and want to try out something different for a change? Perhaps this A- list can help you out
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| May 24-30, 2013
Top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia Fed up of the usual destinations and want to try out something different for a change? Perhaps this A- list can help you out
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S.S. Yoga The Star Kuala Lumpur
I
poh is a city known for its food and certainly is not an unfamiliar destination for locals. But while we might be familiar with its attractions, many outside the country are not. Now the city in Kinta Valley has made it into the list of up-and-coming travel destinations in Asia drawn up by Agoda.com. Ipoh came in 4th on the 2013 list of “fresh” Asian destinations. Agoda.com’s team studied booking patterns, read thousands of customer reviews and spoke with local experts to come up with the list. These destinations all had high growth rates, attracted a large amount of expert travellers (i.e. those who travel frequently to new destinations) as well as increasing numbers of locals on vacation.
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Here is the full list. 1. Tana Toraja, Indonesia It’s about 320km northwest of Makassar on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Tana Toraja is a misty, densely forested region in the highlands of South Sulawesi province known for its animist beliefs, unique houses and grisly (to Western eyes) funeral ceremonies. The past few decades have seen interest wane and income from tourism dry up, but the rich culture and natural beauty of the area are begging to be explored again. Tana Toraja tourism is centred in the town of Rantepao. Between April and October is the less rainy season, and up in the mountains near Tana Toraja, it might even get pretty chilly at night. There are sporadic flights from Makassar but it’s hard to say
when or if they’re operational, so most people get a morning or overnight bus from Makassar, which takes about eight hours. Traveller tips: A certain Michael from Canada recommends a solid dose of Dramamine for the long and winding bus ride from Makassar, while almost all recommend hiring a guide to provide the inside scoop.
2. Nantou, Taiwan Nantou County is literally the heart and agricultural centre of Taiwan—the only landlocked county on the island. The biggest draw is the serene Sun Moon Lake which anchors a large area popular with boaters, fishers, hikers, bikers and sightseers. The variety of homemade agricultural products on sale at the many farms that surround the area also serve as a tourist pull. The county is home to Mt
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Yushan, Taiwan’s highest point, and offers hot springs, rivers and rolling green landscapes aplenty. From October until January is an especially pleasant time in Nantou’s higher elevations. Avoid going during major festivals such as Chinese New Year (January/ February), Ching Ming (April) and Mid-Autumn Festival (September), unless you book well in advance and don’t mind larger crowds. Almost every large town in Taiwan has a bus service to Nantou, and the tourist railway route from the town of Ershui to Checheng is a great way to see the countryside. Checheng station is only a few kilometres away from Sun Moon Lake. Traveller tips: Visitors have highly recommended the gondola trip, which gives a great view of the lake from above (some say it’s a tad expensive). It’s worthwhile to go to bed early and get up for the sunrise over the lake.
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3. Ella, Sri Lanka On the southern end of Sri Lanka, about 140km from Kandy, Ella is known among travellers but has remained largely off the beaten tourist trails. Nestled amid Sri Lanka’s mountainous interior, the town is well situated to take advantage of some seriously relaxing downtime—hiking, eating, exploring and relaxing. The best time to visit is from December to March, although this is the high season. As it is in the mountains, even the low (hot) season can be comfortable (even chilly at night). Buses come through here from various points on the southern part of the island, but most people catch the train which circles in from the bigger cities on the west coast. Traveller tips: A trip to Lipton’s Seat, the favoured hilltop viewpoint of Sir Thomas Lipton whose
beverage empire began in the 1890s with tea exported from the then Ceylon, is a must.
4. Ipoh, Malaysia Between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Ipoh was a sleepy little town that boomed with the discovery of rich tin deposits in the early 1900s. Today it’s known for its delicious food and surrounding cave temples. Take advantage of the area’s stunning natural beauty, visit huge limestone caves, endless trekking opportunities and even some great whitewater rafting trips. The town itself is worth checking out and offers some gorgeous colonialera buildings and temples. There is no real cool season— the best time to visit is during the least-rainy months, which are May, June and July. Due to its location just off a major north-south highway, almost everyone arrives
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via bus or car from Penang or KL. Traveller tips: Many visitors recommended the Tambun Lost World and hot springs for a great family adventure (they also suggested bringing towels to save on rental costs). Another suggested healthy doses of Ipoh’s famous white coffee, where the beans are roasted with palm oil margarine.
5. Mai Chau, Vietnam Mai Chau is in northern Vietnam, about 140km southwest of Hanoi and 80km or so from the Laos border. It’s a small town in mountainous Hoa Binh province surrounded by limestone cliffs and green rice paddies, populated largely by members of the ethnic White Thai tribe. It’s not as popular as Sapa where you get the same experience, but verdant rice fields surround the town on all sides while dramatic hills rise up on either side of the
| May 24-30, 2013
valley, offering breathtaking views around every corner. There are also several interesting markets to check out as well as some nearby caves. It gets uncomfortably hot in June/ July, but the surrounding vegetation is at its brightest green in FebruaryMay, and turns a lovely golden brown in October/November. The only way to get to Mai Chau directly is by private car hired in Hanoi. Buses head to nearby Hoa Binh, though, and from there one can arrange bus or motorbike transport. Traveller tips: Many visitors recommend renting bicycles to explore the town—or motorbikes. The Sunday market is also popular, which sees vendors from around the area.
6. Hakone, Japan A visit to Hakone is all about two things—hot water and great views. It’s a very popular local destination and rising in
popularity with foreign visitors. Hakone is widely known for its bubbling hot springs (onsen). Some are merely hot pools where guests sit and relax, while others approach full water park status. And don’t miss the black eggs, boiled in the hot water—each one is said to add seven years to one’s life! There are also great hiking trails in the surrounding hills and the beautiful Lake Ashinoko, where on a clear day one can catch a spectacular glimpse of Mt Fuji. Cold in the winter, warm in the summer and comfortably cool in spring and autumn, it’s your choice when to get there. There are plenty of bus companies that go from Tokyo, Yokohama or any big city nearby. Of course, this being Japan, it’s easy to catch the train—a Japan Rail bullet train goes from Tokyo to Odawara, then change trains to the Hakone-Tozan line. There are also regular commuter
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trains of varying cost and speed. Traveller Tips: Note that stores and restaurants close early in Hakone, so prepare meals in advance or stock up on groceries if meals are eaten late. Many recommend the Hakone Free Pass, which provides unlimited use of buses, trains, boats and cable cars within a certain zone.
7. Damyang County, South Korea Damyang is in the southwest of South Korea, right next to the major city of Gwangju. Known for its bamboo goods and fruit orchards, it’s popular with Korean tourists but still has plenty of unspoilt countryside to explore. Lakes, mountains, parks, bamboo forests, historical sites... what’s not to like? Among the notable sites are Soswaewon, a 16th-century garden, the Gwangju Lake ecological preserve, the
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historical village of Samjicheon and Jungongwon Garden, where towering bamboo trees sway in the wind far overheard and where many of the hyper-popular Korean period dramas are filmed. Nearby one can also find Mt Mudeung, where the view from the top is epic. Summer finds the area at its most lush and green, while the colours in autumn are breathtaking, especially from the top of Mt Mudeung. For fans of winter, taking a walk amid towering snow-covered bamboo in the crisp, cold air is totally invigorating. It’s easiest to grab a bus or taxi from Gwangju, which has easy connections to all of the popular sites nearby. Traveller tips: Don’t miss the bamboo tea, grown locally of course. For a bit of adventure, try a night climb up Mt Mudeung, which is lit with lamps for much of the way.
8. Phonsavan, Laos In the northern Laos province of Xieng Khouang, Phonsavan sits on a wide plateau surrounded by the foothills of the Annamese Cordillera mountain range. A location off the beaten path, it’s most notable for the mysterious Plain of Jars archeological site. Despite its history and relative isolation, Phonsavan is a lovely place with friendly people (although one must use a certain amount of street smarts to avoid pitfalls related to an underdeveloped tourist infrastructure). The locals have also, rather ingeniously, taken to fashioning everything, from spoons to entire house, out of remnants of the war. Huge bomb casings are now flowerpots and bathtubs while grenade fragments have been turned into jewellery. There are also nearby hills to explore,
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dotted with various ethnic hill tribe villages, as well as hot springs, waterfalls and lakes. Note: Due to lingering UXO (unexploded ordinance) from the war, one should never leave a marked trail or road to wander into a field or forest. Be safe, and hire a tour guide who knows the area. November to March sees the nicest weather in Laos, and as one might expect, it’s busier than normal and requires some advance planning. However, if rain isn’t a deterrent, the countryside is especially green and beautiful during the May to October rainy season. Grab a Laos Airlines flight from Vientiane or Hanoi, Vietnam, but perhaps the most popular way in is via VIP bus, public bus or hired vans, which come in from Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vinh, Vietnam. Traveller tips: A guided tour will
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provide the best insights into the history of the place, while a stroll around the night market in the middle of town is recommended.
9. Kep, Cambodia Kep is in Cambodia’s southern corner, 15km from the Vietnamese border, 85km from Sihanoukville and 160km from Phnom Penh. It was a thriving, elegant beach resort town in the early 20th century. A visit here is all about enjoying rural Cambodia and unplugging from a hectic lifestyle. It has a healthy dose of smalltown charm, is laid-back and dotted with crumbling colonial reminders of a bygone age, and boasts wide roads, swaying palm trees and friendly locals. It’s well known for its plentiful fresh seafood (especially crab), available in dozens of beachside shacks. Explore the lush countryside, caves, waterfalls, small
beaches, a pepper plantation and the nearby Phnum Bokor National Park for trekking and camping. The best time to visit is during the cool season—November to March, roughly. Most arrive by bus from Sihanoukville, Kampot, Phnom Penh or across the border from Ha Tien, Vietnam. Traveller tips: Besides feasting on the fresh crabs, you could hire a tour guide for the day or simply rent a motorbike and set off to explore unassisted.
10. Khanom, Thailand Khanom is about halfway down Thailand’s southern arm, on the little bump that curves upward toward Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. The Thai version of Kep is a sleepy little town on the Gulf of Thailand with few tourists, friendly locals and miles and miles of lovely, largely empty beaches. It’s harder to find a nicer
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example of small-town Thai life. There’s very little to do in town except wander lazily around chatting with locals, sampling the delicious food and enjoying the fresh air on a long walk down one of the many empty beaches. One could also rent a motorbike and head off into the surrounding areas—jungles and hiking trails and waterfalls are there to discover—or take off in
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a kayak with a snorkel and fins aboard. If the timing is right, it’s even possible to spot a rare pink dolphin. There are also a moderate number of bars and restaurants, so you can avoid returning to the same place every night. December to April is the best time, with cool weather and little rain. Get in via bus or mini-van from almost any big city in the area, including Bangkok. One
can also come across from Koh Samui/Koh Pha Ngan if island life has gotten tiresome. Traveller tips: With little in the way of tourist infrastructure, many visitors recommend renting a motorbike to get around the town. One notable attraction is Khao Wan Tong Cave, about 12km inland from the beach.
DATEBOOK
| May 24-30, 2013
BHUTAN
SINGAPORE
National Assembly Elections
Asian Festival of Children’s Content
The election will be held in two rounds. In the first round parties contest all 20 Dzongkhags. The parties with the two highest vote tallies then progress to the second round to be held this May, in which they put forward candidates in each of the 47 National Assembly constituencies.
AFCC is a festival that brings together content creators and producers with parents, teachers, librarians and anyone interested in quality Asian content for children around the world.
When: May 31 Info: election.bhutan.org
With a mix of professional conferences, masterclasses and workshops, rights fair and media mart, and public events, AFCC is a unique and popular event in Asia that provides an opportunity for writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, distributors, parents, children, teachers, and librarians to meet. When: May 25-30 Where: National Library Building, Singapore
DATEBOOK
| May 24-30, 2013
RAYONG
Rayong Fruit Festival
GWANGYANG
Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival takes place in Seomjin Village, home of the largest number of apricot blossom trees in Korea. During the festival period, visitors can enjoy the walk beneath the apricot blossoms, and also sample and purchase local organic apricot products. When: March 23-31 Where: Sicheong-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
The biggest fruit festival in Thailand is held in Rayong, the land of fruit. During the event, there are a lot of activities such as fruit competitions, decorated fruit parade, Miss Fruit Gardener contest, eating fruit competition, fruit exhibition, local fruit and OTOP products selling, concert and cultural performances. When: May 23-29 Where: Rayong, Thailand