Thanking the man who brought us these (though what's up with Jing Jing clutching a dollar bill?)
According to Jing Daily, this marked the first year China has endeavored to hand out comprehensive “China Arts Awards.” And apparently, selecting the award winners took the entire year to do. Now, just in time for Christmas, the winners are announced, but let me just say it takes a whole lot of Googling just to figure out why these people matter.
Among the 23 names, only two were immediately recognizable: Lang Lang and Jackie Chan. Yawn. The rest? Even bigger yawns. In fact, almost the entire list is filled with classical painters, old scholars, and even anti-Japanese propaganda filmmakers. And to be perfectly honest, I got lazy and bored halfway through Googling the list, so I can’t even tell you what accomplishments some of the other names are attached to. You can check for yourself at the link above.
One tip of the hat, however, goes to award recipient Han Meilin. He’s best known for designing the Fuwas (or Beijing Friendlies, as they were internationally known) of 2008 Olympic fame, and apparently he had his wrist tendons cut during the Cultural Revolution. Creating strange yet lovable cartoon animals to win international hearts for your nation after an experience like that? Now that’s heroism. Somebody get that man a prize. Oh wait, they already did.
Also on for this week: a special Christmas edition of Food, Film & Friends, hosted by our friends at Electric Shadows. Learn to cook winter comfort foods then settle in for the boyish charm of A Christmas Story. And there’s really no better time to enjoy the grandeur of a huge theater than during the holidays. Swan Lake is on at the NCPA, as is The Hunchback of Notre Dame: The Musical at the Beijing Exhibition Theater.
For a grittier way to celebrate the season, check out Jia Zhangke’s 24 City at Culture Yard.
Or, you know, celebrate (or don't) however you like. Just be safe out there. You know what they all say: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
Event details below:
