Shrek 2 has been banned in Isreal until an offensive line can be redubbed.
The line in the American version is “let’s Bobbit him.” The Isreali dubbing uses the line, “let’s do a David Daor on him.” Daor had just cause to object to the crudity. He represented Isreal in the Eurovision Song contest.
There is historical precedent for assuming high range male singers were eunuchs. However offensive sexual insinuations no longer have any place medically or culturally in the music world.
In the 16th century in Spain ‘Castrati’ were the pop stars of the age.
Because the Catholic church didn’t permit women in choirs and composers were writing more complex harmonies, outstanding boy sopranos were castrated and trained to sing the higher range.
Castrati first appear in the late 16th century in Spain, but the practice of castration to obtain fine voices took root mainly in Italy, where it remained until the mid-19th century. Castrati were basically employed as substitutes for boys to sing the high parts in sacred polyphony; at least, that is where most castrati found employment. But, with the development of Italian opera in the second half of the 17th century, a new career opened itself. The castrati reigned supreme over 18th century Italian opera, which was written and performed in England, Spain and Germany as well. The best castrati had international careers and commanded phenomenal fees. Among the most famous were Senesino, Gizziello, Caffarelli, Carestini and Farinelli. Castrati were classified according to their range, into sopranistas, mezzo-sopranistas and altistas. Their dominance came to an end around 1800, and while Beethoven and Rossini had castrati sing some of their music, the last castrato to appear on stage retired in the late 1820s. Castrati continued to sing sacred music in Italian chapels until Popes finally banned the practice. Only one castrato was ever recorded:
Today falsetto remains popular in all forms of music.
It’s a shame that the Bobbit reference doesn’t translate well to the Isreali audience, and I don’t have a problem with David Daor making a fuss over this misconception. It’s really immature to make er, false assumptions. The line will be redubbed before the film is re-released.
Flooding
While Canadians watch Edmonton and the Quebec City area mop up after severe storms and flooding, we can be thankfrul no one has been injured or killed.
The monsoon season in India, Nepal and Bangladesh has killed over 100 people, stranded hundreds of thousands and over 5 million are homeless.
US-Canada relations
I think one of the biggest issues the US will face in the 21st century is coming to terms with how the rest of the world perceives the government’s policies.
And I think the average American is beginning to realize that they have a role to play in not only educating themselves, but in helping the rest of us see all that is good about her people. And as neighbours, I think Canadians have an obligation to reach back. One of the first misconceptions that has to be changed is that a countries people is it’s government.
The Bill O’Reilly’s don’t help. Most American’s don’t know anything about Canada other than a few cliches, and getting this kind of information this way, is not going to help anyone. This was a poll slanted for our elections. Unfortunately O’Reilly has a large audience that will actually believe Canadians are taught to be anti-American.
The USA takes a relentless pounding from many Canadian news organizations and from the liberal government. So, what can we expect from the kids? They’re not getting a full picture. And neither is most of the world.
Increasingly, the bully America is being portrayed as the devil. And the far left in this country is gleefully piling on. Guys like Michael Moore [are] running around the world telling everybody what a bad place America is. Moore and his enablers should be very proud of themselves.
It would help if he knew who the Canadian PM is, but most of us on this side of the border can’t be bothered correcting this level of hysteria over an election poll. This isn’t even worth fisking. The complex relationship between the two countries is not served by reductionism on either side of the 49th.
Kidblogging
This weblog platform called Kidzlog for children looks like fun. They get to post, put in pictures, have an RSS feed, and parents get to put good filters on.
link via Jordon Cooper
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And over here in Malaysia, The Passion of Christ has not been banned, but it is restricted to Christian viewing.
http://202.186.86.35/news/story.asp?file=/2004/7/9/nation/8401841&newspage
“In reply to a question raised by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in Parliament, the Home Affairs Ministry had said the National Censorship Board had approved the screening of the film in designated cinemas to Christian viewers.
Cheng added that standard publicity such as posters and cinematic trailers were not permitted.”
One wonders how they are going to ensure that all viewers are Christians…
It isn’t doeable is it?
What kind of ‘test’ would the government propose to ask movie goers if they wish to carry out the letter of the ban?
What if an Iman wished to see the movie?
Aren’t there enough bootleg copies to get around attempted government intervention?
I think the biggest challenge for Americans will be to rein in the government. It took a few years for it to dawn on those in government that we are the lone superpower, but suddenly they [the Bush administration] seem to have seen this as a green light to do whatever they want, unilaterally… they seem to stop at nothing.
I never thought I’d live to see such hubris and outright aggression as official policy. It pains me, and until it is corrected, I completely understand why people in other countries respond the way they do. I cringe myself, and it is MY country!
One thing to keep in mind is that there are millions of Americans who feel this way, which is one reason the upcoming election has people so polarized. You can gauge this by listening to the rhetoric Kerry is using (which is obviously generated by using focus groups). Many Americans are ashamed of the way we’ve behaved– failing to work even with allies on treaties, global initiatives, foreign policy. Let’s hope things change in Nov.
“Aren’t there enough bootleg copies to get around attempted government intervention?”
Bene, there certainly are! The bootleg copies have been out for ages now and most people have already seen the film that way. I certainly have. (Oops…)
They could, of course, position police officers at the entrance of designated theatres to check people’s identity cards. In Malaysia, every citizen or permanent resident above the age of 12 carries a card with name, address, gender, and a unique ID number. Malays are required to be Muslims by the definition of the Federal Constitution… so they would probably stop any Malays from entering the premises. But I hope it won’t come to that. You never know, though.
But B, Shrek is by its very intended purpose, immature
Hi The Dane:
I disagree a bit.
A lot of the humour I’ve seen in Shrek One (haven’t seen the second one) is fairly sophisiticated. It requires some knowledge of movies, companies and culture to get the jokes.
The Bobbit case was a criminal one. Doer is a singer, not a criminal, and I think making a joke at his expense in the translation wasn’t necessary. Maybe I could have used the term poor judgement instead of immature.
Hey, Canadians! How about you, Jordon, Dash House, etc., starting a blog called “Canadian Politics for Dummies”, or something like that?
I, for one, am interested in how you do things.
In all the time I’ve been blogging I’ve never heard a US citizen express a sincere political interest!!
Are you really from the US or a secret agent from Australia? :^)
There are some outstanding Canadian pundits - I’m defintely not one. I guess being Canuck and all, it’s easier to answer specific questions then force an education or agenda. Hey thanks - you made my day. Here’s some Canada 101.
http://www.yourlibrary.ca/citizenship/
Blog on!