Japan is a place where have been fallen victim into so many natural calamities, like earthquake, tsunami, cyclonic winds and even volcanic eruption. World War II has also left an indelible mark on Japan. The moment of constant bombings in Tokyo and detonation of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was ingrained in their minds. Japanese. Sorrow and anxiety were left. Film-makers were able to capitalize on Japan’s vulnerability to catastrophic events to create annihilation fantasies such fictionalized obliteration of Tokyo featured in Godzilla could definitely strike fear to people. That’s why we can’t find resonance in Transformer 3 featuring destruction of Hong Kong, as the gravest disaster we have only experienced was typhoon. By evoking traumatic memories of Japanese, they realized their city could be burned into ashes at a sudden. At last, the monster was defeated and whole new Japan will be rebuilt. Japan postwar prosperity and economic miracle in 1950s is a stunning display of how they could recover from total destruction at lighting speed, making a phoenix-like comeback. I am pretty amazed by diligence and resilience of Japanese as their national character. Hong Kong has indeed been struck by twin scourge of civil unrest and epidemic in this period. Economy is worsening. Jobs are losing. Hopes are gone. I really hope we can join hands together with Lion Rock spirit to overcome such unprecedented crisis. We must be show our solidarity like Japanese. Only by doing so, can we make Hong Kong the most enviable city in Asia and allow this Pearl of the Orient to shine across the globe once again .
Lau Chun Ho Darren
3035708819
What a powerful and introspective reflection that returns us to the socio-political conditions of Hong Kong. A well-written piece that demonstrates your understanding of Tsuitsui’s conviction on the monster/destruction film genre to be one of resilience and fortitude.