Monday, April 27, 2020

Waiting for the revival



"Through the Heart of China" is a Dutch documentary series. The episode linked to above is called "China and the Revival of Taoism". English subtitles are available, in case your Dutch and your Chinese are equally rusty! I found the production interesting, but largely for the wrong reasons. The narrator comes across as super-clueless, and whatever the program is about, it sure as hell aint Taoism (LOL). 

First, we are taken to a martial arts school. Next, the Dutch reporter (who seems to speak quite flawless Chinese - maybe he isn´t that clueless after all) wants to meet a Taoist hermit. He does find one, but a monk at a nearby Buddhist temple unkindly informs him that the "hermit" is really clinically insane! The monk also claims that all "Taoists" in the area are young misfits who have run away from their parents and social responsibilities. 

Which turns out to be the case - I did get the impression that the youth who´ve taken to the hills (and who are interviewed next) look socially awkward and simply want to get away from it all. Their Taoist master was nowhere to be found. An invisible immortal? I was surprised that the Chinese police haven´t arrested the young seekers and sent them to some boot camp? Indeed, there *are* such camps in China, and they are shown last in this episode. 

As I said, interesting after a fashion, but hardly a Taoist revival in the heart of China... 


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