This Is Not Oscars Coverage Pt. 2.

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 1; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2023/03/this-is-not-oscars-coverage.html

The 2018 Winter Olympics/Para-Olympics were held in PyeongChang in the Republic of Korea (RoK/South). This triggered something of a Western interest in Asian, particularly Korean, culture. 

The South Korean language movie; "Parasite" won four Oscars in 2020, including the much coveted; "Best Picture." While that story of Korean immigrants to the US; "Minari" was nominated for six Oscars in 2021, winning one.

So Everything Everywhere All At Once also looked at Korean culture.

The movie centres around a Chinese-American family so primarily looks at Chinese culture. However through the Star Wars franchise and computer games it also looks at how Westerners, particularly Americans, might have been introduced to Japanese culture. Which is very different from Chinese culture.

Korea has had a long, shared history with both China and Japan.

China was first united as a single country under its first Imperial Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty (秦朝), at the end of its Warring States Period (戰國時代). However Emperor Qin Shi Huang (始皇) was only able to extend his new empire as far East as the modern Chinese Province/municipality of Beijing (北京).

The entire Korean Peninsula, along with the modern Chinese Provinces of Liaoning (辽宁), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区), Jilin(吉林省) and Heilongjiang (黑龙江). They were all part of Korea. The disunited; "Three Kingdoms of Korea (삼국시대)."

Under the fifth of China's Imperial Dynasties, the Tang Dynasty (唐朝), China helped unite the Three Kingdoms of Korea. United Korea then rebelled against the Tang Dynasty and divided North and South. 

Even then the Northern "Balhae (발해)" part of Korea extended into what is considered the North-Eastern provinces of modern China. It was only the Southern; "Silla (신라)" part of Korea that lay on the Korean Peninsula.

It was China's seventh Imperial Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty (大遼), which conquered Balhae Korea in 927 A.D. Establishing the modern Chinese Provinces of Liaoning (辽宁), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区), Jilin (吉林省) and Heilongjiang (黑龙江) as part of China.

Limited only to the Korean Peninsula Korea then entered into its own dynastical period. Most notably the Joseon Dynasty (대조선국) which is still considered Korea's Golden Age.

Despite being Korea's Golden Age the Joseon Era still saw the Korean Peninsula invaded and occupied on numerous occasions. By both China and Japan.

Having been significantly weakened through conflict with China, Japan and European Colonialists. By the 19th Century Joseon Korea existed as a Chinese Tributary State. Not quite a Chinese Colony but very close to it.

In the mid-19th Century Japan had emerged from its Locked State (Sakoku/鎖国) period. During the subsequent Meiji Restoration (明治維新) period Japan once again looked to expand its Empire. Seeing Imperial China being weakened by European Colonialists Japan set its sights on the Korean Peninsula. To make it a Japanese Colony before it became a European Colony.

When the Korean Peninsula was a Chinese Tributary State Koreans described the relationship as; "Sadaejuyi (사대주의)." Literally; "Following the great."

The Ancient Greek polymath Aristotle was one of the first people to write down his attempts to study Physics. Observing that there are inanimate objects, those which are unable to move themselves. Along with animate objects, those which are able to move themselves. He also observed that animate objects are able to move inanimate objects.

Aristotle described the inanimate objects as; "Objects" and the animate objects as; "Subjects." Subjects being able to affect Objects while Objects can only be effected by Subjects.

British Physicist Isaac Newton expanded on this concept with his Laws of Motion. Further observing how Objects are affected by Subjects.

By the time Aristotle, let alone Newton, was doing his work. Asian Animist belief systems were already much more advanced in this area. Looking at not just the properties of physical objects on Earth. Also the elemental forces of the Universe.

Taoism/Daoism is probably most widely known for its quest for balance between Yin and Yang. Even if many Western tattoo wearers don't know that the Yin/Yang symbol at the centre of the South Korean national flag comes from Taoism/Daoism.

Yin is the reactive, Objective force. While Yang is the active, Subjective force. When Chinese Dragons (Lung/龙) take the form of winged snakes they have only 36 scales made up of the Yin force but 81 scales made up of the Yang force. Showing their power.

So in a soft-power attempt to increase Japanese influence over the Korean Peninsula. Japanese intellectuals invented the concept of "Shutai (主体)." The Subject which is capable of acting on the Object. Translating it into the Korean word; "Juche (주체)." As an attractive counterpoint to; "Sadaejuyi." The following of China's greatness.

This helped Japan establish diplomatic relations with the Korean Peninsula as a Chinese Tributary State. Then establishing it as a Japanese Tributary State before, finally, invading it as a Japanese Colony in 1910.

So while Korea has a culture all of its own, unique from both Chinese and Japanese culture. Korean culture has, at various points, both influenced and been influenced by both Chinese and Japanese culture.

One of the main achievements of Joseon Korea was the introduction of its Hangul (한글) written language. Which introduced widespread literacy amongst the Korean population for the first time. Prior to that the small proportion of Koreans who could read and write did so in Chinese.

Korea continues to use some Chinese characters alongside Hangul. Which must get confusing. With written Chinese being a pictographic language. While Hangul is an alphabetic language, with an alphabet of letters being used to make up words and sentences.

It is one of the great contradictions of Korean society. That it has the very conservative, very polite, very deferential, very rigid culture which is common to Japan. Alongside this very mischievous, cheeky, rebellious sense of humour. A real fondness for what, these days, is known as; "Trolling."

A big figure in Korean mythology are; "Dokkaebi (도깨비)." Literal goblins or trolls who appear from bloodstains in a puff of blue smoke. Dokkaebi love playing pranks on mortals. One of their favourites is blocking the path of travellers in the forest. Forcing them to win a wrestling match in order to pass. 

Players of the computer game; "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege" might be familiar with the word; "Dokkaebi." Even if they don't know its origins in Korean folklore.

So Everything Everywhere All At Once looks at Korean culture by absolutely roasting the Korean-Canadian/American actress Sandra Oh. Although given China and Korea's long, shared history I'm sure Sandra Oh is familiar with the Chinese way of saying; "We love you!"

Jobu Tupaki is portrayed as a very fashion-forward Sociopath. A young woman who is always dressed in the finest haute-couture as she goes about her murderous rampages. That is very much a reference to Jodie Comer's "Villanelle/Oksana Astankova" character from the US/UK TV show; "Killing Eve." In which Sandra Oh plays the titular MI5 officer; "Eve Polastri."

Killing Eve has a very clear lesbian subtext. The all consuming obsession between the Eve and Villanelle characters. Particularly in the world of movies the recent Western interest in Asian and Korean culture was driven not only by the 2018 Winter Olympics/Para-Olympics. Also the 2018 South Korean movie; "The Handmaiden."

The Handmaiden is an adaptation of the novel "Fingersmith" by British (Welsh) writer Sarah Waters. Which is an almost iconic piece of modern literature in global lesbian circles. It tells the story of a conwoman who is sent to befriend and rob a noblewoman. Only for the two women to fall in love.

As a romantic, sexual, love story the lesbian sex scenes are essential to the plot. Sex, nudity and particularly homosexuality are still all considered taboo within modern South Korean society. A social conservatism they share with Japan.

So I watched The Handmaiden interested to see how the movie would respond to the challenge of telling a lesbian love story. While avoiding nudity or any real reference to homosexuality. Which does make it sound as though I was watching it just for the sex scenes. When I was actually watching in the expectation that there wouldn't be sex scenes.

The Handmaiden is really a film in two parts. First telling the story from the perspective of the conwoman; "Nam Sook-hee" played by Kim Tae-ri (김태리). Then from the perspective of the noblewoman; "Lady Izumi Hideko" played by Kim Min-hee (김민희).

The dividing point between the two stories/perspectives is really a sex scene between Nam Sook-hee and Lady Hideko. 

Shown first from the perspective of Nam Sook-hee it is what you would expect from a movie attempting to gently push the boundaries of a culture where nudity and homosexuality is still widely considered taboo. So a brief shot of a female nipple, some brief same-sex kissing and a bit of rolling and moaning about on a bed.

Shown second from the perspective of Lady Hideko it is so much more graphic. For a start it lasts for about 10 minutes. Which must of have been 10 really uncomfortable minutes if you were watching it in a cinema packed with strangers.

It shows Nam Sook-hee and Lady Hideko performing pretty much every lesbian sex act imaginable on each other. One particular sequence shows Nam Sook-hee performing oral sex on Lady Hideko. A sequence shot from the perspective of Lady Hideko's vagina.

It really shows off the very cheeky, mischievous Korean sense of human. Sort of turning round to any Western viewers who may have been wandering through the forest thinking the movie would avoid sex scenes and going; "Ha-Ha! Gotcha!" While displaying the rebellious attitude of; "Oh well, we're in trouble anyway. We may as well get in all the trouble!"

In Everything Everywhere All At Once there is a sequence where Jobu Tupaki forces Evelyn to look at her through Evelyn's fingers. It is a reference to that oral sex sequence from The Handmaiden.

During that sequence, as she is for quite a lot of the movie, Jobu Tupaki is dressed in a golfing outfit. Including a tight shirt and short skirt. 

This allows Everything Everywhere All At Once to touch on that rather creepy Asian sex fetish. In which some, particularly White Western, men find all Asian women attractive. Simply because they are Asian. Reducing their entire identity and worth to just their ethnicity.

Jenny Slate has a small role as a character known only as; "Debbie The Dog Mom." A Jewish customer at the laundromat. An attempt to touch on the similarities between Chinese and Israeli culture. Neither Mandarin nor Hebrew seem to have any word or phrase equivalent to; "Thank You." 

Apparently the character was originally named; "Big Nose" before that was deemed as going too far for a Western, American audience. "Too far!" being another phrase that seems not to exist in either Mandarin or Hebrew.

Jenny Slate is probably best known for playing the "Mona-Lisa Saperstein" character in the US TV show; "Parks & Recreation." Another recurring character in Parks & Recreation is "Councilman Jeremy Jamm" played by Jon Glaser. Councilman Jamm's sleaziness is underlined by the fact he has that creepy Asian sex fetish.

In one episode they visit Councilman Jamm's apartment and find it full of Japanese art and furniture. On his walls he has these large posters of young Asian female golfers and tennis players in their tight shirts and short skirts. It is made very clear that his interest is not in their sporting prowess.

Having said all that. I really feel I should point out.

That while there is absolutely nothing wrong with finding some Asian women attractive. I can provide you with a list. This seeming obsession of mine with Asian culture is really the result of forced learning.

When someone attacks your childhood Church with Samurai swords. It does rather force you to pay attention to Japanese culture. 

Particularly when it triggers something of a wider Western interest in Japanese culture. Sarah Michelle Gellar being invited to remake the Japanese horror movie; "The Grudge" (2002). All BBC channels switching to; "Learning Zone" Japanese language lessons at 'Ma (麻) O'clock' in the morning.

I knew absolutely nothing about Jade Emperor (玉皇) or Lung (龙). Until the 2022 Beijing Games forced me to learn about it. So I could attempt to explain it to you.

At around 19:15 on 13/4/23 (UK date) I'll try and pick this up on Saturday.

Edited at around 15:55 on 15/4/23 (UK date) to tidy the above and copy & paste;

Of course having been forced to learn about it. I have to say, I'm impressed.

Over the course of Killing Eve Sandra Oh's character quits MI5. Ending up working in the kitchen of a Korean restaurant somewhere in Britain.  

So in one of the universes of Everything Everywhere All At Once Evelyn finds herself working as a chef in a Japanese Teppanyaki (鉄板焼き) restaurant. 

There Evelyn is constantly being overshadowed by a male chef. Whose talent comes from a Racoon hiding under his hat which controls his body. Allowing the movie to really get its money's worth from that joke about Evelyn not being able to pronounce; "Ratatouille."

I should point out though that Killing Eve shows a Korean person working in a Korean restaurant. While Everything Everywhere All At Once shows a Chinese person working in a Japanese restaurant. Which, to an Asian person, makes about as much cultural sense as a White man or a Black woman working there.

Not that Teppanyaki restaurants are particularly Japanese. The name translates as; "Cooked on (yaki/焼き) a metal plate (teppan/鉄板)." Which has got to be one of the most widely used forms of cooking across the entire world. Every cafe/diner, every fast-food, burger restaurant. Even the concession stands in sports arenas and concert venues.

In 1945, when Japan was under US military occupation, the chef Shigeji Fujioka (重次 藤岡) had the idea of cooking Japanese inspired versions of Western food on these newly invented gas-fired metal grills. Not really for the benefit of Japanese people. For all the US troops and tourists.

In 1964 Japanese-American wrestler Hiroaki Aoki (青木 廣彰) - father of DJ Steve Aoki - opened the first Benihana Restaurant in New York City, US. Where the teppan was used to theatrically prepare meals in front of customers.

So, arguably, Teppanyaki restaurants are more American than Japanese. In the same way that famous 'Indian' dishes like Tikka Masala and Balti aren't Indian at all. They were invented in Britain by Indian immigrants in the 1960's and 1970's.

I've never been in a Benihana restaurant. So I'm only familiar with them from how they've been portrayed in TV shows and movies. However they seem to be more generically Asian than particularly Japanese in their style. More influenced by Polynesian, Hawaiian, Pacific-Island culture than anything. They're famous for their; "Tiki" mugs which are loosely based on the Tiki carvings of New Zealand's indigenous Maori.

The Benihana restaurant chain actually plays rather a large role in the 2013 movie; "The Wolf of Wall Street." An investigation into the restaurant chain leads to an investigation into and eventual downfall of Jordan Belfort's investment scam. Ironically part of the investment for the movie came from funds embezeled from 1 Malaysia Development Berhard (1MDB). Asia's largest investment scam.

The iconic scene from The Wolf of Wall Street is when Leonardo DiCaprio's Jordan Brewster does his triumphant "Pimp Walk" into the office. Where he is cheered by all of his employees.

I once likened that to how I walked back into school for the first time following that Samurai sword attack. Very much in the style of;

"That thing that everyone's been talking about, that's been on all the news channels?! Oh yes. I was in the middle of it!"

"Would you like my autograph now?!"

Sandra Oh actually has a role in a movie nominated at the 2023 Oscars. As a voice actor in the Disney-Pixar animated movie; "Turning Red." A movie which I've not seen but am very interested in seeing. With Jane Levy being a redhead I think I might be in for a fun ride.

At the risk of spoiling it for myself. Turning Red centres around a 13 year old Chinese-Canadian girl, Meilin "Mei" Lee, growing up in Toronto, Canada. She discovers that in unspecified ancient times the gods granted the women in her family to power to turn into giant Red Pandas. In order to protect themselves and their villages during times of war. The first Mei learns about this is when she turns into a giant Red Panda.

This transformation into a Red Panda serves as an allegory for all the tribulations and tumultuous emotions of growing from a child into a teenager. So moving onto High School, trying to make friends and avoid the bullies. Boybands, first crushes and being embarrassed by your parents.

With it being the story of a girl as she grows into a teenager one of the big transitions is, obviously, menstruation. Something which, apparently, the nearly 31 year old Miley Cyrus still finds more mysterious than turning into a giant Red Panda.

The only clip of the movie I've seen is of when Mei has changed into a Red Panda for the first time. 

Her mother Ming Lee, played by Sandra Oh, knocks on her bedroom door. Deeply embarrassed Mei refuses to let her in. Telling her something strange has happened in the night. Her mother assumes she's got her period for the first time. When most other people in the family's first thought would, probably, have been the Red Panda thing.

It is intended as a comedy.

At around 16:20 on 15/4/23 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up after I've done some more forced learning. 

Edited at around 18:30 on 19/4/23 (UK date) to tidy all of the above and copy & paste;

Everything Everywhere All At Once also looks at another way Westerners, particularly Americans, might have been introduced to Asian culture. Martial Arts Movies.

Strictly speaking a Martial Arts Movie is any movie featuring martial arts. A definition so broad it includes "Bad Day At Black Rock" (1955). 

However Asian and particularly Chinese Martial Arts Movies are typically in the; "Wuxia (武俠)" Genre. Which is compound of "Wu (武)" which in this context translates "Martial," "Armed" or; "Soldier" and; "Xia (俠)." Which in this context translates as; "Chivalry" or; ""Honour." So a; "Wuxia" is a; "Soldier of Honour." 

As Everything Everywhere All At Once touched upon. Chinese is a complex tonal language. In which each word has, at least, four different meanings. Making written Chinese almost impossible to translate without context.

Wuxia stories first emerged long before the birth of movies. Way back China's "Spring and Autumn (时代)" period. Between the 7th Century B.C and the 4th Century B.C. They are inspired by Japanese culture. Particularly Samurai (侍) warriors with their "Bushido (武士道)" or; "Way of the Warrior" moral and lifestyle code.

However Wuxia differ from Samurai in a number of key areas. Rather like Knights in European culture Samurai are totally devoted to, almost the property of, their feudal lord. The Shogun (征夷大将軍). Whereas Wuxia are free to do as they please. Making them more like Japanese Ronin (浪人). Samurai who no longer serve a specific Shogun.

Also like Western Knights Samurai are high status individuals. Whereas Wuxia are the lowest of the low. What the Chinese philosopher Han Fei (韓非) described as; "The Maggot Classes." So Wuxia stories tend to involve a hero standing up for the common people against the criminal upper classes.

With the birth of movies the Wuxia genre then seemed get exported back to Japan. Inspiring the Jidaigeki (時代劇) or "Period Drama" genre. Including Akira Kurosawa's "The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress (隠し砦の三悪人)." Which George Lucas been successfully passing off as his own original work in the Star Wars franchise for nearly 40 years.

Americans are probably most familiar with the Wuxia movies of the Shaw Brothers Studio (邵氏片場). Starting the world of Opera the three Shaw brothers; Runje, Runme and Runde established their movie studio in 1925 in that was then the Shanghai International Settlement (上海公共租界). Making the first Mandarin "Talkie" movie, "Spring on Stage (歌場春色)" in 1931. Along with the first Cantonese talkie; "White Golden Dragon (白金龍)" in 1932.

Following their victory in the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949) China's Communist Party starting cracking down on both the Cantonese language and the Wuxia genre. So the Shaw brothers relocated their studio from Shanghai to Hong Kong (香港). At the time a British Colony.

In the 1970's Shaw Brothers Studio started dubbing their huge catalogue of Wuxia movies into English. Then did distribution deals with US TV networks. Allowing them to be shown to a wide new audience. Programming which became known as; "Kung Fu Theater" or; "Black Belt Theater." 

Shaw Brothers Studio distribution deal with US TV networks proved so profitable that the rival Orange Sky Golden Harvest Studio (橙天嘉禾娱乐集团有限公司) was established to compete. Golden Harvest launched the careers of Bruce Lee (李小龍) and Jackie Chan (陈港生). 

It's long been debated whether Golden Harvest movies are true Wuxia movies as they are set in the (then) present day. Although arguably Wuxia stories were originally set in the (then) present day. It is the Solider of Honour element which is the defining feature. Not that the Kung Fu Theater of US TV networks ever bothered with that level of nuance.

The US TV networks Black Belt Theater seems to have had a particular influence on the Wu-Tang Clan. A much acclaimed 1990's Hip-Hop act from the Staten Island suburb of New York City. 

The Wu-Tang Clan's name seems to be an attempt at; "Wudang Sect (武当派)." An entirely fictional martial arts school from Wuxia literature. Although with each Chinese word having at least four different meanings. When you start randomly chucking Chinese words together the lack of context quickly results in gibberish. 

The fictional Wudang Sect school of Martial Arts uses Taoism/Daoism as its honour code. While the very real Shaolin school of Martial Arts (少林武術) uses Buddhism as its honour code. The Hip-Hop act, the Wu-Tang Clan use as their moral code the teachings of the Nation of Islam (NoI) Cult. 

The Heaven Gates or Sauwastika (卍) is very important in all Chinese belief systems, both Daoism and Buddhism. The perceived movement of the Chariot constellation (Plough/Big Dipper) around the celestial North Pole it is the portal between this dimension and the dimension of Heaven.

The stars are only visible at night. So in the day time the portal is the reverse, the Swastika (卐). Which these days is most widely known as the emblem of Nazism. Due to Nazism's roots in the occult.

Central to the ideology of Nazism is Theozoology. That there is an alien master race, the Theozoa, which has supernatural powers. However here on Earth they have lost those superpowers due to the oppression of and forced interbreeding with the Ape-Man race, the Anthropoza.

The only way that the Theozoa can recover their superior knowledge, their; "Gnosis" is by studying the ancient Germanic Runic Alphabet. This; "F-U-T-H-A-R-K" Alphabet is a magical cipher. In which each letter or rune is imbued with magical powers.

A key architect of Nazi ideology was Karl Maria Wiligut. A diagnosed but untreated Schizophrenic.

Central to the Nation of Islam ideology is that the Black Race are an alien master race which has supernatural powers. Here on Earth they have lost their superpowers due to oppression by the Jews.

In order to recover their superior knowledge and defeat the Jews the Black Master must study the; "Supreme Alphabet." In which each letter in the Latin Alphabet is imbued with magical powers.

Which, obviously, is totally, completely different from Nazism(!)

The Nation of Islam has about as much to do with Islam as Nazism has to do with Hinduism.

The Wu-Tang Clan seem to have been particularly influenced by Shaw Brothers Studio's; "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (少林三十六房)." Which is widely regarded as being the first Wuxia movie to properly breakthrough in the Western market.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin tells the story of a young man who witnesses the brutal oppression by a totalitarian government. Seeking vengeance he goes to study Wushu (武術)/Kung Fu (功夫) at a Shaolin Temple. The training involves passing through 36 chambers in which specific skills are taught. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are not fans of the Wuxia genre.

One of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan goes by the name; "Masta Killa" which is an alternative name for the movie. The group's debut album is; "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)." It uses the journey through the Shaolin Temple as a coded metaphor for the Nation of Islam's "Supreme Mathematics."

Like the Supreme Alphabet the Nation of Islam's Supreme Mathematics is a supposedly magical cipher for hidden knowledge. In which the numbers 1-9 are imbued with magical powers. 

1 being; "Knowledge." 2 being; "Wisdom." 3 being; "Understanding" (1+2=3). 9 being; "The Completion of Knowledge." Beyond 9 you have 0. The cipher itself. The completion of self. 360° of; "Peace." Made up of 120° of  Knowledge, 120° of Wisdom and 120° of Understanding.

Honestly. I've had many discussions with Delusional Schizophrenics over the years. Including one who was convinced I was a Jedi. They've all made a lot more sense than followers of the Nation of Islam.

Although I don't remember Everything Everywhere All At Once referencing it directly. It's not a huge jump to discuss "The Matrix" trilogy of movies. Their exploration of the nature of existence along with outlandish, supernatural fighting abilities are all key elements of the Wuxia genre.

Probably the most globally famous Wuxia movie continues to be; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (卧虎藏龙)." Which starred Michelle Yeoh (杨紫琼).

Filmed partly in China's New Frontier Province (Xinjiang/西域新疆) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon revolves around this much fabled Wuxia or Samurai sword called; "Green, Destiny." Upon its release in 2000 the movie became a surprise global hit. Receiving 10 nominations at the 2001 Oscars. In that gap just between the fourth season of; "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and; "Firefly."

Michelle Yeoh came to the movie already being well known to Western audiences. Due to her role as the Chinese spy "Wai Lin (林慧)" in the James Bond movie; "Tomorrow Never Dies." Released in 1997, the year Britain's lease ran out, Hong Kong stopped being a British Colony and returned to being part of China.

Everything Everywhere All At Once explores the Wuxia genre though a universe in which Evelyn didn't marry Waymond. After being mugged she learns and masters Wushu/Kung Fu. Becoming a star of Wuxia movies of the sort made by Shaw Brothers Studios and Golden Harvest in Hong Kong.

During these scenes the movie just uses library footage of Michelle Yeoh attending all the premieres and award shows she did for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Which I thought made for quite a nice little in-joke. 

 

 

To be continued in Part 3. 

19:20 on 19/4/23 (UK date).