Last night I went to see an independent films with a couple of friends presented by Rooftop Films and titled Rock Heart Beijing. The film is directed by Karen Winther.
Going in my impression of this film was that I was going to get to experience the music. You know that hard, raw, emotional, angst filled quality that is Punk Rock music. Music that speaks out against the establishment and challenges political barriers and the music created by the Subs is just that but on an entire different level.
China is the country I call the fish bowl because everyone is looking in but the glass bowl is very thick and outside influences are strongly kept at a comfortable distance. The lead singer of the band, Kang Mao, utilizes her powerful voice and the raw aspect of the music to express her struggle with being an only child and not meeting the expectations that her culture has for her. The best moments of the film were with Kang Mao on her own explaining to the rest of the world just how caged in she felt. Ultimately, it made me greatly appreciate the freedom I have as an American and especially as an American woman.
In this country, we are encoraged to speak up even though most of us don't unless we are directly affected by decisions being made by our government. I mean look at the Health Care situation at the moment. Now that it is being re-examined and the results could possibly change things for some and make things a bit better for most people are literally losing their minds. For Kang Mao, the struggle is so much simpler. Lack of freedom when it comes to expressing oneself, being ridiculed for not seeking and obtaining what is considered a good job and especially not settling down with the right man.
Last night after the film it became even more important for me and hopefully for the others that were there to embrace our freedom and take advantage of it as much as possible. For Kang Mao, I say keep on rocking because your voice and your music are the key that will unlock the door to the prison that you have been caged in for so long.
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