Western culture meets Pyongyang

by Jamie Rhein on

An article in yesterday’s New York Times neatly dove-tails with Neil’s Infiltrating North Korea post on Arts and Culture. This coming February the New York Philharmonic will be performing in Pyongyang. North Korea invited them. Perhaps Neil’s visit so impressed the higher ups, i.e., “Who is that incredibly tall American who takes pictures of food and traffic women? He’s so polite, so charming, so interesting. Are there more like him?” that they decided to bring in more. Probably not, but it’s a thought.

The Philharmonic’s visit is no small feat. It’s more than just getting a large group of people with their instruments on an airplane. This is diplomacy at work. Despite the differences countries have politically, it’s hopeful that all will work out if the artists among us have the chance to share their talents around the globe. While the New York Philharmonic is in Pyongyang for their concerts February 26, 2008, they’ll also meet with conservatory students to give instruction. What a fascinating opportunity for both sides. Neil would probably vouch for that.

Cuba & Fidel in Photos

by Adrienne Wilson on

We can all thank the folks at Polo’s Bastards for bringing us this fine collection of Fidel and Cuba photos while we pack our bags and prepare to flock over when the time comes. (Coughs.) If you didn’t know already, Fidel hasn’t been feeling too well and Raul is helping out around the little island located approximately 91 miles from the U.S. Whether Fidel has reached the end of the road or not, Cuba is such an amazing country in my book. It’s the type of place I’d like to go sit rolling cigars with an old wise lady twice my age discussing politics and they way things were back in Fidel’s heyday. Of course my Spanish would be beyond broken and her English the same if not worse, but over time we’ll come to understand one another. Wouldn’t hurt if there were some Omara Portuondo humming from a radio in the background either, but I won’t be too picky here and I’ll stop rambling now.

Head to: Cuba – Hi Fidelity

Borat’s: Face of Kazakhstan?

by Adrienne Wilson on

Strangely this isn’t the first time Sacha Baron Cohen has received mention here on Gadling. Erik wrote a short blurb on the star back in November of last year when word on the streets was Kazakh government was going to sue Mister Borat / Ali G. / Cohen. According to Erik’s piece the gov officials didn’t like the way Cohen was portraying them as sexist, racist, and stupid louts. Well, I don’t know how far that lawsuit went, but Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is set for nationwide release on November 3, 2006.

After seeing the absurd previews in theaters last night I couldn’t help placing this one on my ‘to-watch’ list. What? Huh? Yup, I said it. I’m hoping to catch this one on the big screen in stadium seating, DDS surround sound – the works. Personally I find Borat disgustingly funny. Not because I feel he’s poking any sort of fun at Kazakhstan through his character, but simply pointing out the same age-old stereotypes Americans have created over time. Cohen who is Jewish makes joke about Jews, Blacks, Cowboys, and various other American folk he runs across in his great road-trip across America. Offensive and crude cinema – yes.

My only hopes for those who do know very little about the country of Kazakhstan is that they’ll go pick up a book or do some research online. It’s not that hard to learn something a little factual about the place. In fact – start by clicking here.