Very ambivalent

Shaun 2022-02-25 08:01:05

The reason for recommending this film: Why have we experienced so many impacts of Western civilization since 1840, and there is no profound change? Is it the selfishness of a few rulers or the ignorance and stubbornness of the masses? I haven't figured it out all the time, but I feel a little bit after reading it.
From a different perspective, there are completely different understandings about wars that occurred on the mainland. In the closed political and economic environment, they must be regarded as barbaric aggression. However, from the perspective of the invaders, trade The exchange of envoys is a normal international principle. It seems normal today. It is in the interest of the invaders to launch armed attacks on countries that do not abide by the international norms.
According to the principle of invaders, most treaties that we think of as unequal actually allow a closed country to abide by international laws. But does this equalize inequality? China boycotted because of rejection, and foreign countries launched war because of boycott.
If we simply regard this process as a game between conservativeness and globalization, then the Qing government will be completely defeated, but what role do the people play in this? Whether to enjoy the benefits of internationalization, or to worry about the interference of foreign forces on politics and economy, judging from this film, many people choose the latter. In fact, many people today are stubborn on the latter, and emotionally speaking, they also talk about the past. It's just that the latter actually does more harm than good to the country's development.

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Extended Reading
  • Vita 2022-03-17 09:01:08

    It is not impossible to film the Gengzi Incident from a western perspective, but the film is full of meaningless YY plots, which does not reflect the sacrifice and martyrdom of missionaries and Chinese Christians in China.

  • Alexzander 2022-04-20 09:02:25

    The Sino-British War in 1840, the Sino-British War in 1860, and China in 1900, did anything change? What about the Xinhai Revolution of 1910? What about 1949? Different perspectives may be more objective, but has the subjective thing changed? The Chinese people's strides towards modern civilization are tortuous and long

55 Days at Peking quotes

  • Prince Tuan: The Boxers have created an opportunity for a great Chinese victory! If our troops destroy the foreign forces, it will prove to all the world that China is no longer helpless. It will be the beginning of freedom!

  • Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi: China's condition can be no worse than it is! Even if we should start a war and lose it, what more can the powers take from us?