Lin Mengdi/Mandy
Dr. Marquardt
ENG1300
Oct.25/14
1179
What happens when filming may
cause pollution?
Film
market is becoming more and more prosperity recent years. If Chinese films have
the intention to become someone who is outstanding in the world, they have to
pay more attention to the gorgeous scenery, excellent staff, advanced
photography equipment and so on.
However,
in the developing process of Chinese films, there are more and more environment
pollutions being exposed. Unlike American film market owns mature and tacit
environmental protection measures, China has the urgent to standardize film
market. I have found some cases to compare China and other countries in dealing
with environmental pollution when filming. Wish I can find the answers.
《The Promise》(2005,China) directed by Chen Kaige, China
Introduction:
The promise is a
2005 Chinese epic fantasy film. This film is based on the wuxia romance The
Kunlun Slave, written by Pei Xing at the time of Tang Dynasty. Even though this
film gained a lot of office box earnings in different countries, but received
many criticism voices from different area as well. One of the important reasons
is damage to vegetation. Because of quantities of staff in this crew, there
must be much garbage. Besides, the staff there is lack of environmental
awareness. What’s the worst, to build the background and pave, the film crew
damaged the alpine meadow in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. After the fact
published by some reporters then warned by environmental government, the crew
was under pressure having to clean their garbage out, but the vegetation almost
couldn’t be recovered.
Quote:“Sometimes a
negative example can serve as a warning.”
Explanation:
As a famous a Chinese director in the world, there
is no doubt that Chen Kaige has great influence. So his behavior will be
closely watched. Since he has showed a bad example to people all over the
world, there were quantities of people expressing their anger. However, what
surprised people was the news that Chen Kaige was nominated for a “Green
Chinese” award for raising environmental awareness. In most people’s opinion,
this news was ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was true. So far, there is no
use talking about this negative example. We just hope that this award could
warn all the directors and people – don’t do damage to environment, please.
《The Return
of the Condor Heroes》(2006,China)
directed by Zhang Jizhong, China
Introduction:
The
Return of the Condor Heroes is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis
Cha’s novel of the same title. Adapted from the novel by Jin Yong, this is a
sequel to Legend of Condor Heroes and a prequel of sorts to Heavenly Sword and
Dragon Sabre. The story concerns the adventures of Yang Guo, an orphaned boy in
a mid-13th Century China.
Then let us talk about the crew’s extreme
behavior of damaging the environment in the Jiuzhaigou National Park, in
Sichuan Province, during shooting. There is a rule says that visitors shall not
touch or step into the water in Jiuzhaigou National Park. However, this crew
had stepped into water to shoot for several times. To make the matter worse,
not only the photographer moved up and down in the water, but also the horses
for filming. The result was that the moss surrounding the water pool was being destroyed
terribly. Like the director Chen Kaige, director Zhang was also be rewarded a “Green
Chinese” award as a negative example.
Quote: “Zhang
later agreed to make a documentary to compensate.”
Explanation:
In my opinion, Zhang’s remedy behavior more looks
like he has to do rather than he wants to do. Social pressure makes people
fearful and awestruck. But I think the most important is you should have the
awareness to protect environment, if you can’t, don’t damage the environment at
least. Take actions to correct the mistakes you have done is a brave behavior. In
any case, we should be sure that this attitude is right and should be carried
on.
《Pearl Harbor》(2001,America) directed by Michael Bay, America
Introduction:
Pearl Harbor is a 2001 American epic war film with romance and action
elements directed by Michael Bay. It is a dramatic reimagining of the Blitz,
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Doolittle Raid. This film was also
a environmental protection case. To reappear the scene at that time
realistically, not only the crew chose scene where is the Pearl Harbor’s wreck
located, but also blew up 17 vessels. In the shooting process, the film crew
was overseen by many environmentalists. And they hired some professional
divers. Before filming the explosion scene, these divers would drive turtles
and fishes that were accidental injured possibly.
Quote:"The agency said the contamination cleanup process
involves the Environmental Protection Agency and the Navy, and is beyond the
scope of its jurisdiction."
Explanation:Because of the strong government support, explosion pollutants could
be nearly cleaned out effectively. From this detail, we can see the complete
environmental system and agency coordination and efficient operation in
America. This make us marveled and admired. Quality of a country shows not only
in economy but also environment, culture and politics.
* * *
Beautiful nature landscape or wonderful movie making, which one will you
choose? For different country, there will be different choices to be made. It’s
not only determined by various attitudes towards film makers in different
countries (developed countries or developing countries), but also depend on the
film development degree, in another word, the movie history in different
countries.
For developing countries:
As
we all know, China is a developing country. And the speed of development is
becoming faster and faster in many ways. Though I’m a Chinese, there are some
true words I want to say. Chinese film makers may pay more attention to the
film which there are gorgeous special effects, famous actors and so on. Even
they want to compete with Hollywood blockbusters, so it’s easy to explain the
reason why they ignore the importance of environment protection:Chinese film
production levels is behind other developed countries and many Chinese film
makers are lack of awareness of environmental protection. (This kind of
phenomenon can be seen easily in developing countries.)
For developed countries:
Because
of the more perfect environmental protection system and the higher
environmental protection consciousness in public, the processes of making films
are environmental and safe in America. It seems that take notice of staying
away from the destruction of the natural landscape is becoming a unwritten
rule. This is wise and should be kept up and spread all over the world.
In a word, no matter you’re developed
country or developing country, you should take the responsibility to protect natural
landscape. It’s not an advice but an order, because you’re the one of freemen
on earth.
Reference