This new science fiction bestseller, Chinese science fiction bestseller
Three-body Problems and a story by author Leo Sheehan portrays a fictional
past, present and future where the Earth encounters a civilization from another
world. The opening scenes of this adaptation on
Netflix, of course, starts during China's Cultural Revolution, a bloody
period that authorities often avoid discussing.
And Bloomberg opinion columnist Karishma Vaswani thinks that a series shines a
light actually, on a more complex version of China.
Karishma joins us right now to talk us through this.
It's fairly, I would say, fairly clear to see why there's controversy around,
particularly around, you know, why they chose this to be the starting point.
Because the question is, did it have to be controversial?
You know what, David? I think it did have to be controversial
in and of itself. I don't know whether you've watched the
series yet. I watched it over the weekend with my
husband. It's it's definitely something that
gets you thinking. And it's based on a series of books, of
course, that were a huge success, not just in China, but around the world
amongst some very loyal fans. And I think it's really interesting the
way the Netflix series decided to start with that scene from the Cultural
Revolution. I don't want to give it away to people
who've not watched it yet, but it is not for the faint hearted to say the least.
And I think that the fact that there has been this controversy around it, you've
got Chinese fans who are saying, well, why has Netflix made this such an
Americanized Westernised version of the much loved book?
And then you've got global fans looking at this.
For some, it's their very first experience of understanding this tale,
this wild, strange world that the author has created that's come out of China but
doesn't look anything like the kind of China that Xi Jinping likes to portray
to the world. And that in and of itself, David, I
feel, is such an achievement because it really portrays this idea that Xi
Jinping may want to control so many areas of public life.
But when it comes to your imagination, he really can't do that, can he?
And it's interesting, as you say, right? I mean, no spoilers, obviously.
I haven't seen it yet, but you really do sell it.
Charisma. You talk about how the show presents an
alternative grow world. Why do you think that's important?
You know, Yvonne, I think it is important because when we look at some
of the fundamental issues between China and the US today, it's always about
geopolitics. It's always about what's happening in
the Taiwan Strait, what's happening in the South China Sea.
How do we resolve the issue of trade tariffs between these two superpower
rivals? But through this series and through the
book, there is a global conversation taking place.
I mean, you know, you just have to look at social media to see the kinds of
opinions that are being reflected as a result of what people are watching
online. I mean, I have to say that, you know,
this is not available in China, but people are watching it through VPNs and
around the world. They're watching it on Netflix.
And now you have this conversation taking place where it's not about Taiwan
and it's not about the South China Sea, but it's about this fantastical world
and this sci fi mystery. And in a way, perhaps this is a bit
idealistic, but forgive me and indulge me a little.
It allows audiences from all over the world to talk about the same thing.
And ultimately, isn't that what we're all about?
We love watching stuff that makes us go, wow, and it brings people together in a
way that I don't think we've seen in quite a while,
which is a lot. Okay, Let me let me let let me build on
that. It does useful exercises in it.
You know, when you have two audiences in your point, Chinese and American
audiences discussing the same thing, but looking at that very same thing through
different lenses is that is this bridging that gap, if you will?
Yeah, I mean, David, you've put it so beautifully, I couldn't have put it
better myself. And I think that lens should be applied
even further in other aspects of cultural film, film rather, and literary
life. You know, there are a number of sci fi
books in China that could make it onto the silver screens, despite the fact
that this genre has been so heavily regulated within China itself.
It was just a few years ago, in fact, that Xi Jinping and the government that
came out with guidelines as to how to portray the sci fi world around in
Chinese screens, on Chinese screens, but also as an export.
And it was very much about showcasing China's technological advancement.
What I think is interesting about this particular series is it came before that
period and I think it is a way for audiences around the world to sort of
relate to each other and realize they all like the same thing.