Job Discussion Forums

[LSP]

my origional plan was to leave in october, but i've found a job at a school in hefei that i'll be leaving next month for.

[denver]

Hi gang!

I will be based in Shanghai and I'm wondering about the DVD scene in China.

1. Are most foreign films available on DVD dubbed into Mandarin or just subtitled in Chinese? with the original voices left in? What kind of subtitles will you find on them? [someone mentioned errors and big mistakes in translations],

2. Can I take these DVDs out of the country when I leave?

3. In Shanghai, what would be the most reputable place to get them and how much does an average DVD cost in RMB?

4. How is the variety of legal DVD's ? and how long does it take for a new release in America to go onto dvd in China?

xie xie


Denver

[David Bowles]

Almost all the ones I've seen have been in English with Chinese subtitles- especially the DVDs (there are some VCDs that are dubbed, but I think the VCD is a dying art). I don't know about availability in Shanghai but in most cities there's a huge amount easily available, though you have to trawl to find more obscure stuff- prices in Dalian were around the 10RMB mark at the cheaper places (the literal black markets), scaling the heights of 20 at the shops.
I think you could search for days to find a single legal DVD- although Shanghai probably has a few big bookshops- but aren't legal ones around 100RMB? Plus pirate ones come out when or even before films come out ion the cinema in the USA- although these 'better than new' ones tend to be filmed at a test screening with a camcorder or something, with hliarious consequences.
And finally.. it's got to be technically illegal to take pirate DVDs out of the country, since it's technically illegal to trade in them. But practically speaking- everyone does it. One guy I knew got caught and they only shot him in both knees...

[yaco]

I get great results showing middle high and college students, Mr Bean.

I use this as a vocabulary exercise and usually provide the students with 50 new words.

I am constantly asking the students questions about different parts of the movie ( in between fits of laughter ).

Watching movies is a pointless exercise ( in a classroom setting ) unless there is an educational component.

Watching movies with students as a babysitting exercise is too common in China.

[kev7161]

I actually suggested that in another thread - - and I may do it next term. Since Mr. Bean videos are almost all pantomime, it is a great way for students to discuss what is happening (once you pause the scene) or even write simple dialogues (and then they can try to perform them).

[blackguy-n-Asia]

Kurochan, I'm quite surprised that you take the time to teach your class about different races....when others only talk about it. You have my admiration

It sounds like a good case of stereotyping and ignorance over there (also with LSP-blacksploitation? How about Roots or Amistad)

If you want to get across the idea of multiculturalism, then you should show the older movies like Sidney Pottier's -'They call me Mr. Tibbs" or Mississippi Burning. This gets across the idea that we are all equal and deserve respect. If they are kids, show them a movie with equal characters and less stereotyping.

Showing movies like 'Rush Hour" and 'gangsta movies' only broadens stereotypes. Even I can't relate to 'poping off a n****' this is trashy alien stuff, made by hollywood and the KKK. Did you know they made a deal?

[blackguy-n-Asia]

That titillation your students do is not a good sign.

My young cousin used to do that whenever I brought my korean friend over to his house. Nervous, scared and other bad emotions.