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Turns out Mulan doesn't actually look like this. Courtesy of jacoghi.iespana.es/mulan.jpg
March 30, 2006: News From Abroad
The return of Mulan, Vietnamese rockers, the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, and more rule the headlines in the latest edition of News From Abroad.
Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography celebrates
Japan -- The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography is celebrating its 10th anniversary with its new exhibit "Absolutely Private: On Photography in the Zero Decade." Featuring 124 works of photography, installation, and collage, this ambitious show explores the constantly evolving meaning of privacy in today's information age. Amongst the 15 photographers showcased from seven different countries, there are a few well-known names as well as emerging ones. The exhibition is divided into three sections: "Myself Within Me," "Myself Within Society," and "Adventure in the Everyday."
"Absolutely Private" runs till April 23 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Ebisu; tel. (03) 3280-0099; 1,200 yen; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thurs. and Fri., closed Mon.).
Rockin in Vietnam
Vietnam -- Rock music has been sweeping the stage of HCM city as new concerts and CD's have been released this year. Pop musicians such as superstar My Tam and boy band MTV have released tracks that are recorded in a "rock" style. Even composer Thanh Tung is following this trend and will release a rock music CD. Live concerts have also been a hit in HCM city as large venues like the Light Music Centre gathered thousands of fans to see their favorite rock bands perform. These bands, including Mat Xich (Chains), Con So Khong (Zero), Tam Guong Ky Dieu (A Wonderful Mirror), Chieng Tranh (War), and Vong Tay Ban Be (Friendship), range from alternative rock to heavy metal. Artists, such as Yellow Skin guitarist and vocalist Nguyen Dat, credit this recent rock revolution to the audience's boredom of the conventional pop format.
Mulan in living color
China -- Following in the footsteps of Disney, the movie Huamulan has started to shoot this March in honor of the heroine who served for 12 years in the Chinese army. The film will capture the traditional Chinese themes of love, women, peace, and war. Before Disney's animated film, the character Mulan graced the T.V. screens in Hong Kong and Taiwan as a cultural legend. The makers of the film acknowledge the crucial matter of integrating Chinese culture as much as possible in the film. They claim that instead of offering colorful exaggerations of the folktale, they will try their best to accurately depict the history and customs during Mulan's time.
Bachchan a man on fire
India -- It's been a shaky comeback for Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was hospitalized because of an intestinal operation for the past two months. He was operated for diverticulitis last November and has been flying from hospital to hospital. Throughout this duration, Bachchan had to give up lucrative money-making projects. For the past five days he's been back, Bachchan has been constantly on the set, shooting for Karan Johari's film Kabhie Alvida NA Kehnaï and Deepak Sawant's film Ganga. Bachchan cancelled a trip to Kolkata last Saturday due to exhaustion. Despite his fatigued state, Bachchan is still piling on work as he recently signed on for numerous television shows and ads.
Open Korea Cultural House
S. Korea -- The Korea Cultural House (KOUS) has opened a new location in the heart of Kangnam. Prior to this grand opening, people had to venture to the Kangbuk area to get their fill of traditional Korean performances and authentic dining. The performances consist of court music, pansori (Korean opera for ordinary folks), samulnori (percussion music with four different instruments), and fan dances. If visitors get hungry after the performance, they can head toward the restaurant on the third floor of the building, where they can receive royal court service in a modern setting. Also, for those tea-lovers out there, there is a Tea House on the first floor, which serves freshly brewed Korean tea such as fine-tree tea. For tourists, there will also be a souvenir shop called "Handicraft Exhibition Hall" that sells various artifacts and handmade crafts.
For reservations call 02-567-6013 and for other details log on to http://www.kous.or.kror or call 02-567-6012 or 6013.
Date Posted: 3/30/2006