Watched 'The ten conditions of love' concerning Rebiya Kadeer's struggle for Uyghur independence. This film is one of the films in the Kaohsiung Film Festival this autumn. It had originally faced controversy when it was nearly banned from showing inTaiwan, presumably due to pressure from Beijing. There was also this amusing stint where someone in Taiwan called Rebiya a terrorist, not realizing that he had stepped on a nerve there and incited her fiery temper.
Kadeer plans to sue Taiwan over Terrorist claims: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090930/wl_asia_afp/taiwanchinaxinjiangkade...
I found the film interesting and inspiring, but also felt a nagging worry on two counts: 1. Idealistic leadership and 2. The utility of the Uyghur independence movement.
1. Idealistic leadership:
Prior to watching this film, I had said to my friend Ben "I think that groups that cannot find a driving force to continue after the head is gone may not have true goals but only idealistic ones." Ben didn't agree but did not have a ready opinion on the matter, which made me rethink this statement and wonder whether it was true. In the film, one of the staff in the US Uyghur independence movement stated that if Rebiya had died, she didn't know how they would go on. She seems too powerful a presence to have an adequate successor. However, perhaps that was simply the way she was protrayed in the film. One of the other guys watching the film said that there is an internation group for the Uyghurs so there must be many other Uyghurs who believe passionately in this movement and have functioned independently prior to Rebiya's parole. So perhaps it is simply that Rebiya is a more prominent public figure in this case.
Another reason I felt slightly discomfited is that I have very little affinity for idealistic speeches and a great deal of her speech was more emotionally touching in that manner. Perhaps it is precisely idealistic speeches that make the world move round, I'm simply wary.
2. The utility of the Uyghur independence movement:
My friend said that the Uyghurs seem to have more reason to ask for independence than Taiwan as their culture is obviously apart from the rest of the Chinese culture. I said that we don't have to ask for independence as we are already independent in fact. I also do not find being dissimilar in culture one of the main reasons for independence - mistreatment by the government would be. However, how can we guarantee that independence will bring the Uyghurs a more accountable and just government? Am I asking too much when I want to know whether they have plans for an independent East Turkistani state?
Perhaps I am over cautious in these feelings. Having these feelings, however, seems to indicate that the film is not too biased, and thus is quite worth viewing. In any event, I recommend seeing it.
Thank you Ricky for procuring the tickets for this film.
http://www.uhrp.org/articles/2344/1/THE-10-CONDITIONS-OF-LOVE/index.html
