More than 2,000 years ago, China’s First Emperor built a burial complex guarded by a large terracotta army, intended to protect him in the afterlife. Now, some of those warriors are making the journey to Chicago’s Field Museum in their latest exhibition China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors, opening March 4, 2016.
The exhibition features more than 170 objects including stunning bronze artifacts, weaponry, and ten of the famed terracotta figures. Terracotta Warriors will introduce visitors to Qin Shihuangdi —China’s First Emperor—who united a country and built an army to last an eternity.
Around 7,000 of these six-foot-tall and taller warriors—significantly taller than men of the time—were found buried in three pits at the emperor’s tomb [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]An Emperor’s Rise to Power and Lasting Influence
One of greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century, the terracotta army was created by Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of China. His rise to power in 221 BC ended an era known as the “Warring States” period, during which China was composed of seven competing states and was marked by instability and broken alliances.
Emperor Qin Shihuang, depicted here, commissioned the giant tomb for himself before he died [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]Qin Shihuangdi used an organized military, superior weapon technology, and a strong cavalry to defeat his enemies and establish a unified state. During your visit to the exhibition, you’ll discover crossbow bolts and a reconstructed wooden crossbow. This weapon revolutionized warfare, allowing archers to shoot nearly 900 yards, with less skill and strength than was needed for a bow and arrow. You will also encounter other weapons used by Qin military forces, including a long, chrome-plated sword, lance heads, dagger-axes, and spears.When the Terracotta Warriors were excavated from the emperor's tomb, starting in the 1970s, many were broken like these ones, and needed to be put back together by conservators [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]Although the First Emperor’s reign was relatively short, he enacted several important innovations that left a lasting impression on China. Many of these are still evident today. He worked to strengthen his newly founded empire by building a great wall (the pre-cursor to China’s “Great Wall”) to protect his land in the north and west. In an effort to increase trade, he constructed new roads and canals and even regulated cart axles so that wheels uniformly fit the newly constructed roads.This archer, one of the guardians of the emperor’s tomb, likely once held a crossbow [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]In order to rule effectively, a single currency, a standard form of writing, and a standardized system of weights and measures were all put into place. Examples of these innovations are all on display within the exhibition, including several Qin banliang (ban-lee-ang) coins—round coins each with a square hole—as well as a mold used to mass-produce these coins. This coin type became the standard form of Chinese currency for the next 2,000 years.
An Emperor’s Final Resting Place
Even though the Emperor made public improvements in his country, he was not without enemies; three unsuccessful assassination attempts increased his fear of death and drove his quest for immortality. With death constantly on the Emperor’s mind, and a desire to rule forever, Qin Shihuangdi began constructing a palace for his afterlife and instructed craftsman to make a terracotta army to protect him after his death.
The Chinese painted the Terracotta Army figures, but the pigments deteriorated over the years. Conservators try to preserve the remaining colors [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]For more than 30 years, legions of workers contributed to this massive undertaking—some even paying with their life. Around this underground palace were representations of the Emperor’s officials, warriors, buildings, parks, and animals—everything he would need to carry on his rule without end. The First Emperor even included what are believed to be acrobats, musicians, and exotic animals in his tomb to provide entertainment.Each warrior has a unique face and hairstyle due to different molds and details added by hand postconstruction [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]After the Emperor’s death, the terracotta warriors, generals, and others lay buried until 1974, when a farmer digging a well discovered them. Although the tomb itself was known historically and was visible on the landscape, the vast burial complex surrounding the site had been unknown until then. Archaeologists began work excavating the site, a process that continues today. Hundreds of pits, covering an area of nearly 22 square miles, have been located so far, and it is estimated that more than 8,000 figures were buried at the site.Chariots were an important part of China's army during the emperor's reign—hence the more than 130 models like this one discovered in the Terracotta Army pits [Credit: Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum]Terracotta Warriors has nine full-size human figures, including several warriors, a general, an acrobat, and an official, on display as well as one life-size horse. Although most of the clay figures have lost the bright hues of their original paint and only provide faded glimpses of the way the army looked during the Emperor’s lifetime, you will encounter two replica warriors, painted in the vivid purple, teal, and red that the terracotta army wore.
Excavations continue today, but the central tomb of Qin Shihuangdi remains sealed. Stories tell of a celestial ceiling mapped out in pearls and a mercury river, but none of these written accounts have been confirmed. Visitors to the exhibition will learn about the scientific investigations hoping to shed light on the mysteries of the tomb.
China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors was organized by The Field Museum in partnership with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Terracotta Army Museum of the People’s Republic of China. Major sponsors: Discover, Exelon, United Airlines.
China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors is currently showing at The Field Museum, Chicago, and will run until January 8, 2017.
The Royal Ontario Museum unveiled The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors, presented by the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation with Manulife as Lead Sponsor. The exhibition is on display in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall from Saturday, March 8 until Monday, September 1, 2014. Presented in collaboration with Beijing’s Palace Museum, the show brings to Canada for the first time approximately 250 treasures that were part of Chinese imperial life for five centuries in a city strictly off-limits to all but the emperor, his family, and his personal servants. These objects are the relics of a momentous chapter in China’s long and fascinating history.
More than 80 of the exhibition’s objects, including textiles, calligraphy, paintings, and armour, have never before travelled outside the Forbidden City. Complemented by stunning artifacts from the ROM’s own internationally celebrated Chinese collections, these objects tell captivating stories and reveal the fascinating characters that made the Forbidden City the centre of an immense empire for more than 500 years. Due to the significant number of light-sensitive textiles and paintings, there will be an extensive rotation of objects half way through the exhibition’s engagement, presenting a new opportunity to experience the stories and exquisite objects of the Forbidden City.
The emperor's role as head of the military required special ceremonial 'armour'. Worn for reviews, it was made more for show than active battle [Credit: ROM]“The ROM’s exhibition takes visitors on a remarkable journey to the heart of the Forbidden City — once off limits to all but a privileged few,” said Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO. “Carefully selected by our curatorial team, these extraordinary artifacts from Beijing's Palace Museum will give visitors an inside view of life within the Forbidden City and immerse them in China’s rich history. The exhibition is the centerpiece of the Museum’s Centennial, bringing to life our promise to connect our visitors with their communities, world, and with each other.”
The ROM has partnered with Beijing’s Palace Museum to create an exhibition that uncovers untold stories about life in the courts of the Chinese emperors. Dr Chen Shen is the exhibition’s lead curator and the ROM’s Vice President, World Cultures and Senior Curator, Bishop White Chair of East Asian Archaeology. He said, “This exhibition allows Canadians to see, for the first time, the finest objects hidden from view in the Forbidden City. We have worked with our Palace Museum colleagues to develop untold stories about life in the courts of the Chinese emperors; ensuring ROM visitors will enjoy many of China’s national treasures, many of which have never left the palace. These objects — both luxurious and everyday — provide the unique opportunity to advance our understanding of the people who lived within the walls of the Forbidden City.”
The emperor's role as head of the military required special ceremonial 'armour'. Worn for reviews, it was made more for show than active battle [Credit: ROM]In December 2012, Dr. Shen travelled to China with co-curator Dr Wen-chien Cheng, the ROM’s Louise Hawley Stone Chair of Far Eastern Art, and curatorial advisor Dr. Sarah Fee, the Museum’s Curator, Eastern Hemisphere Textiles and Fashion to spend time in the vaults of the Palace Museum and select the most compelling objects in the vast and storied collection.
Robert H. N. Ho, Founder of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, said “The Foundation is pleased to present The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors in Canada. Advancing the understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture is a key mission of our foundation. Robust educational programming in support of the exhibition should encourage wider exploration by the public, especially teachers and students. The Foundation is also proud to once again be working with the ROM, an outstanding institution which together with Beijing’s Palace Museum, has developed this wonderful exhibition, bringing to life the 600-year-old imperial palace and revealing for the first time many of its treasures and secrets. ”
This gemstone-decorated gold ewer was used only on special occasions such as the emperor’s birthday [Credit: ROM]“The Forbidden City is a true celebration of Chinese culture and history," said Nicole Boivin, Chief Branding and Communications Officer for the exhibition’s Lead Sponsor Manulife, “As a global company, Manulife is committed to engaging the international communities in which we live and work, including China where we've been operating since 1897. Partnering with the ROM to support this exclusive exhibit is an excellent way to honour the China-Canada Cultural Exchange and the ROM’s 100th anniversary.”
The ROM’s exhibition uncovers the stories of the Forbidden City and China’s last emperors who led their lives deep within the palace’s opulent interior. Through intimate encounters with everyday objects, visitors meet a cast of real characters, including emperors, court officials, concubines, and eunuchs — castrated men who served the imperial families. The ROM’s exploration of life inside the mysterious Forbidden City transports visitors through increasingly restricted areas — the palace’s great halls, grand courtyards, and intricate terraces and roofs, until visitors ultimately gain access to the most private space of all: the emperor’s personal study.
'Being Ruler is Tough' was the motto Emperor Yongzheng inscribed on this seal. At his wish, copies of this seal were placed in different rooms for his use and as a reminder of his role [Credit: ROM]Upon arrival, before reaching the admissions desk, visitors are introduced to the Forbidden City in the exhibition’s Prologue. An intricate model including many of the complex’s significant features is displayed in the Thorsell Spirit House, complemented by the one of the ROM’s most recent acquisitions — a yellow-glazed bowl, commissioned by Ming Emperor Wanli. The colour yellow was strictly reserved for royal families and could not be used in any way outside the Forbidden City unless explicitly permitted by the emperor himself.
Thrones were not made for comfort, but as a symbol of the ruler’s imperial and authoritative power. All the pieces here are part of the 'throne set' [Credit: ROM]Visitors next enter The Inner Court, the residential space where only the imperial family and their eunuchs lived. Empress Dowager Cixi, a towering presence over the Chinese empire for almost half a century, is profiled in this section. Stunning gilt silver nail guards represent her. Up to six inches long, they protected the extremely long nails of imperial women — signifying their leisure status. Also on display are the opulent objects of the emperor’s everyday life including silk dog coats, gold eating utensils, and the last emperor’s gilt bath tub.
The exhibition’s climatic section takes visitors inside the Emperor’s personal spaces that were once forbidden to all but the emperor. As rulers, emperors were bound to strict institutionalized governance. However, their choices were their own in collecting and personal cultivation. This area showcases some of the most exquisite objects in the imperial collection including jades, calligraphies, and ceramics and an exceedingly rare porcelain “chicken” cup, commissioned by Emperor Chenghua for his mother; only two such cups exist today in the Palace Museum. In this section, a British-made musical clock and the character of a Western missionary represent the foreign dignitaries who gained access to the Forbidden City with gifts from their homelands — pieces much admired by Qing dynasty emperors.
Pages like this, in a fourteen-sheet album, presents the emperor assuming various ethnicities and characters – in each he is accompanied by an animal or a bird. [Credit: ROM]Finally, Twilight of the Last Dynasty portrays the Forbidden City’s last chapter as it began its transformation to the Palace Museum. Here, visitors learn of the fall of the empire during the last dynasty and the imperial collection’s fate. The magnificence of imperial life is countered by the poignancy of the last emperor’s departure. As visitors are brought back to their own world, they gain an appreciation for the Forbidden City then and now.
The Forbidden City
China’s imperial palace, known to the world as the Forbidden City, was built from 1406 – 1420. It was the center of government and home to China’s last 24 emperors of the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties. Made up of about 980 buildings and 8700 rooms in over 90 architectural complexes, the Forbidden City remains to this day the largest palace complex in history. Once strictly forbidden to all but the emperors, their families, servants, invited guests, and most trusted officials, the palace gates are now open to all.
The Palace Museum
The Forbidden City became the Palace Museum in 1925, one year after the last emperor was forced into exile. Located in the heart of Beijing, the magnificent site spans over 720,000 square metres and houses the largest collection of China’s imperial treasures. Designated by China’s State Council as one of that country’s most important protected cultural heritage sites in 1961, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Today, it is considered one of the world’s most important museums. Popularly called The Forbidden City, it houses over 1.8 million art treasures spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history with many from the Qing imperial court. It is one of the world’s most visited museums, welcoming a record 182,000 visitors on October 2, 2012.
The Chinese authorities have flayed on September, 10th the decision of the government of the USA on increase in tariffs for import of steel pipes from China.
On it informs AFP. In China have promised to accept "serious reciprocal measures", but have not specified, in what they will consist.
On September, 9th the Ministry of Trade of the USA has informed, that imposes penal tariffs not less than in 31% on import of pipes from China. The decision in the ministry have explained complaints of the American manufacturers to metallurgists of China which, using grants of the government, have increased the share in the market of the USA.
So, with 2006 for 2008 import to the USA from China of pipes which are used on oil and gas deposits, has grown for 203%. In 2008 the volume of export of given production has made an order of 2,6 billion dollars.
In April seven American steelmaking companies and trade union of workers of a steel industry of USA United Steelworkers already complained of the Chinese metallurgists to US authorities. According to the American corporations, the increase in export of steelmaking production from China has caused a damage of activity of the American manufacturers and already costed to them more than two thousand workplaces.
In June of current year the administration of the USA has submitted the first from the moment of election as the president of the country of Barack Obama the complaint to the WTO on actions of China. The complaint is connected with unfair, according to the American authorities, restriction of export of raw materials from China (in particular, bauxites and zinc), that gives advantages to the Chinese manufacturers. The raw materials become more accessible to the Chinese companies and decrease in the price.
To begin with I suggest to look at a picture in the big permission.
There is such Chinese artist which is known enough in China. In particular, the picture «Chinese servants» — gives very good understanding about world system in understanding of Chineses in which centre of the Universe without fail settles down Celestial. For the interested China far not a secret, that Chineses the nation haughty though Chineses will not say directly to you it.
Plot strange enough. Naked and not so naked white aunts in the foreground, some sit on the earth. And Chineses also it is not visible, only are looked through somewhere on a background. At once there is a question on the picture name. Where, actually, servants. It is known, who the Chinese language is extremely rich on symbols and hints that promoted a wide circulation of allegories not only in the literature, but also in the Chinese art as a whole. I do not speak about riches of the numerology, leaving in an extreme antiquity.
For understanding of a plot of a picture, it is necessary to mean, that it is written in the beginning of 2009 when the world crisis generated by the USA, has captured a planet.
China, the unique country which crisis has avoided and on which, the West rests hopes, that China will pull out them from an economic crisis.
Therefore three plates up to the top filled with meal, it is possible to consider as a hint — guzzle the western barbarians, China is rich enough not to allow to die with hunger and you. Clear business, that at barbarians cannot be any culture of meal. They do not own the sticks, therefore the best for them is hands and like a dog from the earth.
Any country in the world has no the history comparable on duration with history of China. Any nation has no the number comparable to number of Chineses. Now supervises over China Hu Jintao. Pay attention to the Chinese on a background and compare to photo Hu.
Hu Jintao in image Chinese the hard workers which fruits of works feed also the western rabble in the foreground which in any way does not appreciate it, spilling meal on the earth. By the way, about the USA. Quite probably, that the grown fat aunt in the picture centre, just also is image of America. Interesting analogies are traced and with other silhouettes. One more hint contains in the form of the poured stain. Compare a stain to a USA map.
The broken egg too is simple so, it symbolises the broken financial system of America.
I think, that in a picture weight of other allegories which to the western sight simply are not clear. Thus the picture name sets thinking — who will be actually the servant in this world?
In China will be created the new gambling zone — China Vegas. In this gambling zone plan to place not only a casino, but also luxury hotels, conceptual exhibitions, fashionable showrooms, striptease clubs, theatrical and concert halls, 3D cinemas, and also golf courses and tennis courts.
The 2nd Vegas, or is better?..
On similarity of the American Las Vegas, many buildings will superficially resemble the most well-known and cult sights of the largest megacities of the world. In press release of World Travel Market is informed — China Vegas will appear in the Inner Mongolia and will take places in territory of 100 km2.
China having one gambling zone — special administrative area Macau, is surrounded by the countries where gambling's are resolved.
The Chinese players annually spend in a casino over $40 billion, filling the budget not only Macao, but also frontier cities of Myanma and Laos. Special gambling zones which also will involve tourists, in 2010 should appear on Philippines and in Singapore.
The Chinese mass-media did not begin to quote a word of the US president of Barack Obama about a freedom of speech and an unimpeded access in the Internet, informs Associated Press.
Internet censorship in the Peoples Republic of China
The question on Internet censorship in the Peoples Republic of China has been set to the US president who is with official visit in China, during a meeting with youth in Shanghai on Monday, on November, 16th. Obama it was limited to the short answer, having told only, that is the supporter of absence of censorship, however recognises, that in "the different states different traditions".
The authorities of China repeatedly were exposed to criticism for carried out by them to the policy of censorship on the Internet, which in the West including in the USA, perceive as infringement of a freedom of speech and the right to a private life.The conference fragment where Obama answers a question on censorship, has been shown on air of only one television channel — Shanghai TV. A number of the Chinese sites which have published full decoding of conference Obama, censorships later have removed from the text a fragment, concerning. Newspaper The People's Daily, in turn, has written only, that Obama has noted an Internet role in information distribution, having removed words about censorship.
Isolation of the Chinese Internet users
On a site of administration of the US president full audio- and conference video versions in Shanghai are laid out, however the Chinese users have no access to this resource.
Superpossibilities of telescopes Orion from school of advertising Texas Creative.
Very entertaining details
Texas Creative tell the message that by means of 800x increase in telescopes Orion in the star sky it is possible to see very entertaining details. For example, an inscription «Made in China» on the American flag strengthened on a surface of the Moon by the first trailblazers.
As it became known to news site Drudge Report, the US president Barack Obama will give interview to television channel Fox News, since recent time become by object of criticism from the White House.
Major Garrett has invited the president to conversation
According to a portal which has not specified an information source, the meeting of the president with the correspondent of department of a policy of channel Major Garrett will take place during official visit of the president to China. It is expected, that Obama will go to the Peoples Republic of China in the evening on Sunday, on November, 15th where will stay till Wednesday, on November, 18th.
In the meantime edition Politico informs, that the certain not named employee of the White House these data has denied. "At the moment at the president it is not planned any interviews during tour across Asia", — quotes the edition.
Meanwhile on November, 11th it became known, that the post has left the director of the White House for public relations Anita Dunn. It posesses words that channel Fox News is "Republican Party branch". The official reasons of resignation are unknown.Making comments on the information that Obama can meet correspondent Fox, newspaper The Huffington Post has noticed, that between the White House and Fox warming of relations really was outlined. According to the edition, it has occurred after vice-president Fox Michael Clemente has met the press-secretary of the White House.
In protection Fox
The position of the largest American channels which have supported recently Fox, appeared excluded of a pool for interview to one of employees of a Treasury Department of the US could become the rapprochement reason.
Vu Yulu being the usual Chinese farmer, in house conditions has managed for some years to transform the farm into a Kingdom of Robots. Some of them even are capable to creep on vertical surfaces.
That is surprising, in due time Vu Yulu has not finished even an elementary school.
Stardust acted as the fully integrated creative agency + production arm, from concept through final distribution, for a new campaign for China's wildly popular messaging app WeChat. The app is expanding its global reach, kicking off an international ad campaign this month, featuring soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Both spots have a fatherhood theme. In the first, Messi is shown trading voice messages (in Spanish) with Grandma, who is trying to soothe his crying infant son. He gets the baby to laugh by — surprise! — performing soccer juggling tricks shown to the baby via WeChat's video chat function. The video posted on YouTube by WeChat India netted more than 1.7 million views after just one week. The global campaign targets 15 markets, including Argentina and Spain where Mr. Messi is a superstar. The others are: Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey. In addition to being posted on YouTube, the two spots will air on television in the 15 markets. There will be accompanying print and outdoor advertising in at least some markets. “Our goal was to show Messi in relatable, down-to-earth scenarios so our audience could easily identify with him and his use of the product; versus building the more common, larger-than-life concept around him that only puts distance between him, the product and the consumer base," Stardust Co-Owner/Managing Partner Dexton Deboree said in a statement provided by Tencent. “The opportunity for Stardust was one that really allowed Stardust to rely on our unique strengths to tackle a large brand’s challenge. We worked hand-in-hand with the team at Tencent and WeChat to concept a campaign that would work for launching their product to a large number of new countries, around the globe, while utilizing some consistencies between other non-US campaigns they had done in other markets, all within a single campaign, all within very tight logistics in both the execution and deployment.” “We were intimately involved from beginning to end. Both cultural and time zone challenges presented hurdles we don't usually have to jump. In this case, I think it is the versatility of the Stardust team that allowed us to work across 3 time zones seamlessly,” added Stardust Co-Owner and ECD Seth Epstein. WeChat already has more than 300 million registered user accounts, including 70 million outside China, mostly in Asian markets. WeChat started as a messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but the addition of video calls, photo sharing, location-based services and other Social features also make it similar to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Skype. WeChat's popularity outside of China has soared recently, growing by 20 million registered user accounts to reach 70 million in only six weeks. The growth is attributed to promotional campaigns, special WeChat deals provided through some Asian telco operators, and the increasing number of smartphone users in target markets. WeChat has not officially launched in the U.S., though Tencent has an American office doing groundwork and studying the market.
Credits: Client: WeChat Spot Titles: “Good Luck”: 30; “Father’s Day”: 30 Creative Advertising Agency & Production Company: Stardust Executive Creative Director: Seth Epstein Managing Partner/Executive Producer: Dexton Deboree Copywriter(s): Seth Epstein & Dexton Deboree Director: Seth Epstein Live Action Executive Producer: Dexton Deboree Producer: Sarah Casillas Local (Spain) Live Action Executive Producer: Esther de Udaeta & Ernest Gual Line Producer: Thersea Lucas
Visual Effects Company: Stardust Art Director/Lead Designer: Ling Feng Designers: Lynn Cho, Luis Salcedo, Karen To Editor: Fred Fouquet Flame Artist: Todd Mesher 2D Animators/Compositors: Taekyu Kim, Richard Taylor, Pietro Desopo Rotoscope/Clean-Up Artist: Michael Plescia
Music & Sound Design Company: Stardust Sound Design & Mix: Brian Peyton Music Composer: Jesse Mattson
Credits: Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, Beijing, China Executive Creative Director: Nuno Executive Producers: Lee Li Min, Priscilla He of Filmate Director: Matthias Zentner Director’s Producer: Jaclyn Tze Wey of Oxygen Content, Singapore DOP: Rob Malpage Post Production: Velvet MedienDesign, Munich Post Producer: Gustaf Richter & Oliver Loessl Editor: Anja Rosin Flame Artist: Sylvia Roessler Nuke: Manuel Voss Telecine: ARRI Munich Sound Design: 2AM, Malaysia
Credits: Advertising Agency: Fred & Farid, Paris-Shanghai, China Creative Directors: Fred & Farid Copywriters: Fred & Farid, Gian Carlo Lanfranco, Rolando Cordova Art directors: Rolando Cordova, Gian Carlo Lanfranco Brand supervisors: Hugues Pietrini, Stan de Parcevaux, Florence Burtin Agency supervisors: Mehdi Benali, Hélène Camus, Olivia Courbon Tv producer: Karim Naceur Post-producer: Elise Dutartre Director: Gary Freedman / Glue Society Production: Nouvelle Vague Producer: Sandrine Lima
A new commercial airing in China stars George Clooney and Chinese model Bonnie Chen for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, yup it's a yawner. Credits: Ad Agency: BBDO (Beijing Office)
The Volkswagen VW Beetle reminds us not to leave our fun for too late in life with their newest commercial, "Senior Rebels".
The music is an original instrumental soundtrack by composer Nelson Can, song title, "Apple Pie".
Credits: Title: 'Senior Rebels' Client: Volkswagen Product: The Beetle Agency: DDB GUOAN, BEIJING Global ECD: Jeremy Craigen Executive Creative Director: Greg Bray / Stephen Mui Art Director / Copywriter: David Mackersey Art Director / Copywriter: Jonathan John Head of TV: Christine Kastens Production Company: THE SWEET SHOP Director: Steve Ayson DOP: Antonio Paladino Executive Producer: Claire Davidson Producer: Maricel Ticar Santos Editor: Peter Sciberras (Offline; Method Studios) Barry Greaves / Nicholas Bennett (Online Compositors; SFG — TECHNICOLOR) Post Production: SFG — TECHNICOLOR
United Colors of Benetton, supports the Unhate Foundation and releases a great new print campaign. The print includes the simple tagline "Unhate" and features the likes of US President Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela kissing
The Pope and Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb, Imam of the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo
Hu Jintao, president of China and Barack Obama
Credits: Advertising Agency: Fabrica, Italy
The United Colors of Benetton UnHate campaign also includes the film UNHATE by French director Laurent Chanez, tells of the precarious balance and complex interweaving between the drive to hate and the reasons to love.
The official film of the Unhate worldwide communication campaign launched in Paris on November 16th and presented by Alessandro Benetton.
Soon after elections of the American president on the country the wave of propaganda processions of gays and lesbians has swept.
They demanded equality. If to face the truth, they have equality, anybody does not punish them for in what they are engaged in the personal bedrooms, but they have not enough of it, they constantly excite the public, drawing to themselves attention, propagandising the sexual life, imposing the given type of sexual relations all and all.
Impose by means of a megaphone of mass-media. Some weeks all television screens, even rather serious news programs, were shaken with war round the Ms. of America. Well the statement of the Ms. of America was not pleasant to one of gays, he has expressed in this occasion rather cynically, but what for to make around it noise all over the country?
Have pulled together huge forces, put a microphone to lips of stars and inhabitants, millionaires and politicians.
The Ms. of America has decided «to beat out a wedge a wedge»: has declared, that the same sights at marriage at an idol of the country of Barack Obama.
But campaign did not stop, because with arrival of liberals to all double-entry bookkeeping takes place: two we write — one in mind. Officially the president has the wife and children, but informally (because the official press does not discuss this problem) on book shelves there was Larry Sinclair's book «Barack Obama and Larry Sinclair — Cocaine, Sex, Lie and Murder?» About unisex sex of the author with «the future Supreme commander in chief». Why the white House is silent? In his hands the unknown power is concentrated... Probably to the White House it is favourable, that in air hung — "perhaps". After all it too voters.
Meanwhile, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation — GLAAD with pride has informed on the achievements: «this year after three-year recession number of gays and other representatives of sexual minorities in films more than will double. Programs with heroes LGBT will make 2,6% from all displays of TV in 2009 in comparison with 1,4% in 2005, 1,3% in 2006, and 1,1% in 2007». Active workers of sexual minorities are happy with work of television channels ABC and NBC, but criticise cable networks where the number of their heroes has decreased with 40 to 32, and also channels CBS and Fox.
Owners of the White House throw down a challenge of traditional morals.
According to approximately 2,8% of men and 1,4% of women lesbians or bisexuals are identified as gays. Thanks to huge advertising last years of men of 9,1% and 4,3% of women participated in unisex sexual relations at least once. Why participated without physiological predisposition? Because it is fashionable.
The percent grows thanks to propagation influence. The propagation, the come to power liberals. US State Secretary Hillari Clinton has published an explicit statement on the occasion of a month of gays and the lesbians, founded by her husband in 2000 in which the governmental plans accurately appear: «... I highly appreciate courage and resoluteness of gays, lesbians and the bisexuals, shown by them within last forty years, and I offer our support in that important work, which else it is necessary to execute».
She has noted and State department work: «We are grateful to our employees-lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transsexuals working in Washington and worldwide».
Proceeding from this extremely frank statement, the government is going to entrust these people any extremely important work, important in universal scale...
Greenpeace turns the Levi's Go Forth ad campaign into their cause with "Go Forth and Detox."
They say you can tell next season's hottest trend by looking at the colour of the rivers in Mexico and China. That's because global fashion brands like Levi's are using hazardous chemicals and dyes to make our clothes. But it doesn't have to be this way. Thanks to global People Power, we were able to convince Zara, the world’s largest retailer, to commit to work with their suppliers and clean up their toxic water pollution. Levi's is the world's biggest jeans producer, but they have yet to make a credible and ambitious commitment to Detox. This is their time to give a damn. To be daring. To be a leader. To take a stand. To live the truth. Join fashion-lovers, activists, models and designers in demanding Levi's Go Forth and Detox!
17 activists spread a thousand square meter yellow arrow banner pointing at the waste water treatment plant for Lavamex — one of Levi's suppliers in Mexico. The banner (bearing Levi's logo) reads: "LEVIS, Stop Polluting Mexico's rivers" and "Queremos Ríos Sin Tóxicos" (in Spanish). GreenPeace claims that the Lavamex facility is operating with little transparency and under weak Mexican laws, which allow them to avoid scrutiny of their manufacturing processes. Greenpeace goes to say they discovered nonylphenol (NP), a hormone disruptor during tests from a Lavamex discharge pipe.
Everyone loves a good biff, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with The Footy Show. Here, I’m speaking about the one and only Brisbane International Film Festival also known as BIFF. The Gold Coast, being the cultural vacuum that it is, us film geeks eagerly await the annual BIFF where a selection of films from around the world are screened over the course of one and a bit weeks. This year I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the BIFF crew by putting together articles on various films for the website and daily newsletter. With dozens of movies crammed into the 11-day event it would be easy to miss some of the real gems. The good news is I’ve taken a look at the complete line-up of films screening at this year's festival and even watched some of them early. So, the following is my list of the films you MUST SEE or die at this year's BIFF.
For you international readers this can be a handy guide of limited release films you should keep an eye out for in the coming weeks/months.
An Education — the opening night film starring Peter Sarsgaard and set in the 60s. The Sars-man in a film with romance, drama and intrigue sounds like too rare an opportunity to miss.
BALIBO — the notorious tale of five young, Australian journalists who were executed while reporting on Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in 75. An impressive Aussie cast including Gyton Grantley, Nathan Phillips and Anthony LaPaglia expose the Australian and Indonesian governments shameless efforts to cover-up this important story.
Coraline — has been covered extensively on this blog given its beautiful visuals and dark storyline. Directed by Henry Selick, director of the classic Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline follows the adventures of a young girl who discovers a secret door leading to an alternative reality.
500 Days of Summer — a last minute addition to the festival line-up, this quirky, nontraditional love story deserves to be seen purely because it features the talents of my favourite Joseph Gordon Levitt. It also stars everyone’s favourite indie film star Zoey Deschanel.
CHE: Parts One & Two — director Steven Soderbergh’s stunning two-part opus based on the life Che Guevara and starring Benicio Del Toro in the title role. You’ll be hard pressed to catch this screened back to back anywhere else in Queensland.
Away We Go — highly peculiar, yet, interesting film which looks at the journey of two thirtsomethings who discover they’re going to have a baby. Instead of settling down and preparing, the couple take to the road to visit old friends. This is the latest thing from the amicable Sam Mendes and marks a return to his off-beat indie roots.
The September Issue — one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year, this film delves into the life of legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in the lead-up to the massive September issue.
Jules And Jim — this French film from the 60s is a classic love-triangle with arguably the most recognisable face in French cinema — Jeanne Moreau.
Moon — one of the films I’m most looking forward to, this sci-fi thriller i
s the debut feature from David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones and stars Sam Rockwell in what is said to be the performance of his career.
The Missing Person — a private detective is hired to follow a missing person but what started as a simple job rapidly develops into a complex mystery. Full of double-crosses and classic noir moments, this is a film not to be missed by lovers of all things noir.
The Strength of Water (below) — having Maori parentage, I like to pay special attention to films from indigenous New Zealand filmmakers. The Strength of Water is definitely worth the gaze. A unique look at the complexity of grief through the eyes of a 10-year-old living in an isolated Maori community. Beautiful, naturalistic, creative and moving. A must-see.
Van Dieman’s Land — the infamous tale of Australia’s very own Hannibal Lecter gets the big screen treatment from a filmmaker heading for the stratosphere.Subdivison — Brisbanite Ash Bradman (from Nova radio fame) wrote and stars in this appealing comedy set in semirural Hervey Bay. Fans of Aussie films like Crackerjack, The Castle and Kenny are likely to enjoy this.
The Cove — along with Cathy Henkel’s The Burning Season, this has to be one of the most important documentaries of the year and looks at the culling of dolphins in the picturesque town of Tokyo, Japan. Part horror film, part espionage thriller and part environmental documentary, The Cove is all part's essential viewing.
It Might Get Loud — there’s no time for air guitar in this documentary which takes the audience on a candid trip into the world of three of rock’s most iconic electric guitarists; Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin), the Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes).
Black Dynamite — if I even have to explain to you the plot of this film, given the sheer volume of posts about it on this blog, then you deserve to be pimp-slapped into a China cabinet. Here’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about.
Dead Snow — Tarantino and Rodriguez fans, like myself, are likely to adore the work of the Norwegian lads behind this low-budget, horror slapstick about Nazi zombies. Writer/director Tommy Wirkola and writer/star Stig Frode Henriksen have been pipped for big things since their debut short Kill Buljo and their first feature doesn’t disappoint. Catch their work before it explodes as their next film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters has been picked up by The Weinstein Company (bada-boom).
Storage — a tense, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller from Brisbane filmmaker Michael Craft and starring Gold Coast actor Matt Scully in the lead role. An impressively clever debut from Craft who shot the film in storage facilities in and around Brisvegas. Creepy.
The Horsemen — containing what is said to be one of the `most amazing fight scenes captured’ is there really any other reason to see this?
Ticket prices are cheap as chips compared to a normal outing at the movies and BIFF is running a series of workshops where you can meet the director, producer, writer and/or stars of some of the films.
On similarity of the American Las Vegas, many buildings will superficially resemble the most well-known and cult sights of the largest megacities of the world. In press release of World Travel Market is informed — China Vegas will appear in the Inner Mongolia and will take places in territory of 100 km2.
Have pulled together huge forces, put a microphone to lips of stars and inhabitants, millionaires and politicians. 
According to approximately 2,8% of men and 1,4% of women lesbians or bisexuals are identified as gays. Thanks to huge advertising last years of men of 9,1% and 4,3% of women participated in unisex sexual relations at least once. Why participated without physiological predisposition? Because it is fashionable.
