Chinese author Mian Mian
Attended a public interview/discussion with Chinese author Mian Mian tonight. Mian Mian is probably best known for her novel "Candy" which kickstarted the trend of gen-X women writers in China writing about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. She was an interesting interviewee, if at times a little abrasive. She seemed to contradict herself at times and I wasn't sure if that was just slips of the tongue or if she got confused with her English - e.g. she said early on that she'd decided she wasn't interested in making films because of the "heavy machinery" but then declared her intention of making at least one small film "for a museum". She brought up her experience of being involved with the indie film "Shanghai Panic" as a scriptwriter, but I was glad then that I hadn't chosen to ask her about it during the open Q&A session, as she said she didn't like the finished film! I've got it on DVD but haven't yet got around to watching it. I had intended to watch it before the interview but didn't have the time.
She seemed rather critical of the post-80s generation of internet writers in China like Han Han which I guess made sense since she's from a different generation. Clearly gen x in China has the same amount of hatred towards gen y as as elsewhere in the world!
I've read "Candy" before and was trying to find it recently in order to read it before tonight but no such luck. No doubt I'll find it soon now the urgency to read it has gone. I remember enjoying it but I'd just like to re-read it in the light of her comments.
I have to admit one of the best things about these nighttime lectures/discussions is the free stuff afterwards - free alcohol and food! Yep, I'm a cheapskate student, I admit it, but they had delicious food especially the fried dumplings. Sigh. I want to go back to China and have lots of dumplings...
She seemed rather critical of the post-80s generation of internet writers in China like Han Han which I guess made sense since she's from a different generation. Clearly gen x in China has the same amount of hatred towards gen y as as elsewhere in the world!
I've read "Candy" before and was trying to find it recently in order to read it before tonight but no such luck. No doubt I'll find it soon now the urgency to read it has gone. I remember enjoying it but I'd just like to re-read it in the light of her comments.
I have to admit one of the best things about these nighttime lectures/discussions is the free stuff afterwards - free alcohol and food! Yep, I'm a cheapskate student, I admit it, but they had delicious food especially the fried dumplings. Sigh. I want to go back to China and have lots of dumplings...