06′ hkiff(1)

^_^ have watched quite a lot of movies in 06’s hkiff till now…

have watched “The producers” at Tamar Site before, heard that this is the last year that hkiff booked Tamar Site for showing the movies.

have watched “Battle in Heaven” also at CC (Cultural Center), a mexican movie. it shows a lot of mexican culture but i am too fool to get the real whole meaning of the movie. however, the long shots are bravo in the movie.

I’ve watched “Good night, and good luck” yesterday at CC. A black-white movie which shows the respect of nostalgic times. The background of the movie about 1950-60s US, which have a strong refusion of Soviet Union and Communist. The main actor Murrow act as a reporter with strong courage to speak to the Senate, Airforce, and something that is unfair to the public or individual. He is also a loyal member of free speech, to defend what he thinks that’s good.

At first, the movie shows a conference. Murrow, an ex-reporter of CBS, is giving a speech. And it is back to what Murrow’s doing in CBS. Becoz he is not afraid to call a spade a spade. He makes a displease of a Senate. At last, the Senate lost in the game. Murrow’s show, Good night, and good luck, is now the most positive show in the CBS.

However, the boss of Murrow ask him to change his program from a popular time(Tuesday night) to a cold time (Sunday afternoon). The boss said that the audiences wants no more educational program but entertainment program. After a little arguing, Murrow has quit.

And the movie goes back to the first one. What Murrow’s said is as follows: To those who say people wouldn’t look; they wouldn’t be interested; they’re too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter’s opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

This tells the main theme of the movie. What will the television give us? What do we want from the TV? Entertainment? Amusement? Laughs? Education?

Not only in TV, and how about in other mass media?

If i m familiar to the history of US, I think i can have more interests in the movie. However, although it is black-and-white movie, I dun get bored.

It’s so late. Good night, and good luck.