Reflecting Pool, no matter how small.

Words help us to express ourselves. Imagine if we had no common language or had no idea how to let another party know our thoughts. Lost in Translation directed by Sofia Coppola covered the communication breakdown between two different culture. The film shot in modern Tokyo, Japan. It talks about Americans working in overseas.




The plot of the movie is Aging movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray) goes to Tokyo to film a Suntory whisky advertisement. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is the young wife of a celebrity photographer on assignment in Tokyo. Left behind by her husband, John (Giovanni Ribisi), she is unsure of her present and her future and about the man she has married. Harris's own 25-year marriage is tired and lacking in romance. Harris and Charlotte meet in the bar of the hotel where they are both staying and strike up a friendship. The two bond through their adventures in Tokyo together, experiencing the differences between Japanese and American culture, and between their own generations.

In Japan, everyone speaks Japanese. It’s similar to an American whose mother tongue is English. Imagine putting two different people coming from two different areas and living under the same location.
This was one of the scene played in the show.

The concept of "lost in translation" occurs throughout the film with a number of meanings.[1] Bob (Bill Murray), a Japanese director (Yutaka Tadokoro), and an interpreter (Takeshita) are on a set, filming the Suntory whisky commercial--specifically the Hibiki 17 Year whisky. In several exchanges, the director speaks several long sentences with passion, followed by a brief, inadequate translation from the interpreter. The scene (like all the film's Japanese dialogue) is played without subtitles.

Director [in Japanese, to the interpreter]: The translation is very important, O.K.? The translation.

Interpreter [in Japanese, to the director]: Yes, of course. I understand.

Director [in Japanese, to Bob]: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a
bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly,
look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words.
As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid," -- Suntory time!

Interpreter [In English, to Bob]: He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.?

Bob: Is that all he said?[2]

The above short scene is an example of a communication breakdown. With the additional kind help of an interpreter, the true meaning of the words is lost. The interpreter had changed the meaning of the words through simplification. During the short scene, Bill Murray had noticed non verbal cues shown by the director. Such as frowning, hand gestures, etc by the director of the advertisement. However, when he questioned the interpreter; her answer was short and crisp.

This reflected how over time meanings were lost over time. In reality, this could happen too. When one is unable to understand words of another party, one could still assume the content of the conversation by focusing on the non verbal cues.

Body language is a strong factor. From one’s eyes, the placement of the hands, etc. A lot could be addressed in a conversation. An additional cue would be the tone of the voice. From that one could predict how the speaker feels towards a topic.

F1 Renault feeling Hot hot hot!

Singapore took center stage last year by introducing first ever night race in Formula 1’s History. The Formula One race has its history going back to 1920’s. It is a prestigious racing event. Now it has race tracks in 17 different countries. Sports reporter Lin Xin Yi covered the story. In her September 28 2008 article she wrote Formula One Management supremo Bernie Ecclestone has given the island an emphatic thumbs-up. However, there was a twist of events. In the recent spotlight, Renault is facing charges over an incident that occurred in the scandalized night race last year.

The speculation was, "The team representatives have been called to answer charges, including a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, that the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of its other driver, Fernando Alonso." This helped Alonso won the Singapore GP in 2008 when Piquet crashed two laps after the Spaniard had come in for a routine pit stop.

Right after the crash, the reports from Renault portrayed it was purely an accident. They celebrated Alonso’s champion with a bash. The media focused on the win even though gossips flew around about the “accident crash”. Just when the media drew a closure to the news, Nelson Piquet Jr let the cat from the sack in August 2009. At the time, Piquet attributed the crash to a simple error, but he was dropped by Renault after July's Hungarian Grand Prix and has since been outspoken in his criticism of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.
This tainted the image of F1 race, which focused largely on integrity.  

Nelson Piquet Jr. is the son of the famous Brazilian race driver Nelson Piquet, a well known F1 driver. Owen Gibson from the Guardian wrote in his article printed on 18 September 2009, that Piquet Sr, who first blew the whistle on the saga to the FIA, said: "At a certain point people like Flavio have so much power they believe they can walk on water. He obviously thought, even though there was lots of proof, no one could catch him." Flavio's power exceed and became greedy. He may think highly of himself and would gladly sacrifice pawns to secure great control over others.

After being sacked from Renault and going to the FIA with his claims in July, Piquet Jr last month issued a statement. "I always believed that having a manager was being a part of a team and having a partner," he said. "A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you and provide you with opportunities. In my case it was the opposite. Flavio Briatore was my executioner."

Next, Nelson Piquet Jr’s quote showed the communication between the manager and driver is very important. Flavio Briatore’s command determined their choice. One wrong word could lead to drastic action. In this judgment, Piquet Jr sacrificed his position. Only to face stronger consequences, this made him turned around lash back on his former manager. Now the exchanged words are harsh and cold.

In addition, in an AP - Thursday, September 19 news article; Renault managing director Flavio Briatore and engineering executive director Pat Symonds left the Formula One team, which said it will not contest a charge that Nelson Piquet Jr. was ordered to crash in a race. The departure of Briatore and Symonds appears to be a move aimed at reducing the expected penalty.

From their decision, their planned resignation script signaled strongly of their involvement of the crash that occurred in Singapore GP in 2008. They took immediate response to leave the organization, hoping to lighten their punishment. Nelson Piquet versus Renault’s lime light on going case would one day come to rest.

In a week time, these fabulous cars would roar down Singapore’s street. Ooh & ahh looking at the cars. Not forgetting the gorgeous hot hunk drivers. Who would take home Singapore 2009 Grand Prix Champion? Jenson Button is a hot favorite.

  Stay tuned.

Reference:

BBC Sports News
AP News: Renault Probe
Guardian News: Legal Threats 
S'pore F1 The Straits Times News Article

Credits Photos:
Nelson Piquet Official Site
Singtel Ad
Photobucket

Pole Dancing has “Red” the script in Singapore.

Bold letters and colourful pictures splashed in the front pages of the local papers. Singapore National Day Grand Celebration showcased Pole Dancing for the first time. Next, it was Getai Pole Performances. Then, it is Men’s Fit Pole classes making its debut in local dance school. Pole dancing has stormed into Singapore bringing in a sea of change.

Singapore’s 44th National Day celebration introduced 8 ladies from Acro Polates, doing pole spins and tricks. Several articles were covered about this event. The Straits Times News paper and online forum of The Straits Times shared mixed views on the idea.

The Straits Times reporter, Magdalen Ng wrote an article Pole of contention Aug 9 2009. A Human resource executive Gregory Ho, 25, who saw the pole-dancing act at an NDP preview commented that 'I can't see what pole dancing has to do with Singapore. The performance was a bit raunchy and it shouldn't be the way, especially when there were so many kids around.' V-Lynn Song, a pole dancer performed at the NDP rehearsal; felt that “it’s just that the pole gymnasts use is horizontal while ours is vertical.'

This stirred up an online debate in the cyber space.

A concerned parent had left a comment on the online forum The Straits Times

“As a parent, I am concerned about the portrayal of women in skimpy outfits and sensual dancing at the NDP. Pole dancing has its origins in strip clubs, however toned down the sensuality is now.

I am surprised that it should even make an appearance at the NDP when it is not local to Singapore. In fact, I have not heard of any nation celebrating its National Day with performances by pole dancers.”

However, Sam Remmer from UK Pole Dance Community Forum included a different view. An explanation that, “I would argue that the inclusion of pole dancing demonstrates that Singapore is a forward thinking nation with a vibrant culture, the pole dance display itself was tasteful and demonstrated extreme fitness and flexibility.” 

From the issue, we are able to view two contrasting views. One group are for and another against. There must be a reason that the National Day's organizers included pole dancing into the show. In addition, it is a prestigious event with important people watching them. By expanding our horizon and seeing through that pole dancing is not portrayed as a stripper dance. 


We come to see it in a new light, that these ladies had put in a lot of hard work like any gymnast or other dancers practicing for a show.

The new paper Shree Ann Mathavan sensationalized Getai Pole Dancing Teen, Lim Zi Yee in Aug 26 2009. Getai is a popular event during the 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival. The organizer said it was a brand new addition to getai. The audience adored the performance showcased by Zi Yee and drew loud applauses. After her show, the organizer noted 35% of the crowd left soon after. 

After the national day parade, the public began to embrace pole dancing positively. Their warm response towards her performance showed that it was alright to pole dance in public. There was no sleazy show. It was based on physical strength and pole tricks.

Soon, a piping hot news headline came to shine Men jumping on to pole by Tan Yi Hui Sept 1 2009. Modern Men are now turning to Pole dancing to get fit. One of the participant, a project manager Mun Leong, 47, who has had 'no background in dance', but signed up for pole dancing classes after taking a trial lesson. He says: 'I see it more as a form of exercise, and also a chance to build up some coordination. 'If I were younger, I would have done gymnastics. So this is the next best thing. It completely changed my impression of pole dancing.' In general, there are many male gymnast. It doesn't any difference if they were using a pole to flex their muscles.

Many more male pole dancers came to light, Eric Yeoh a hairdresser added, 'Actually, any form of dance can be done in a macho or feminine way. To me, pole dancing is an art. It depends on how you interpret it.' These were from a male perspective who pole dances. They felt dancing should not be determined by gender.  Furthermore, western countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States; dance studios are already offering pole dancing classes just for men, according to experts.

That’s not the last of words. There would be certainly more flashy media coverage, sexy eye candy and loud voices to be seen and heard. After all, there are exciting pole competitions to be held in our local scene; Pole Position and Asian Pole Summit. 

How would Pole dance influence and change our local society? Only time could tell.

References:

Pole of Contention

Pole Dancing at National Day Controversy

Getai Pole Dancing teen

Men Jumping on the Pole

Credit: AsiaOne for Pictures.