A post “Wasted Orient” interview with Akira (Chinese name Yang Yang)---the Japanese guitarist who got kicked out of Joyside---following the Beijing premiere.

1.) What is your opinion of "Wasted Orient"?

Wasted Orient is the last and only R&R (Rock n’ Roll) movie to watch this century.
Pure and mad, it shows there is no hope or future for the crazy Chinese Youth.
It made me feel drunk and high at the same time.
You will all love these true young nasty boys!
Great movie!

2.) Why do you think Fritz titled the film "Wasted Orient"?

Not sure.  To me it's sounds like a KUNG-FU MOVIE title!
(Yang Yang laughs)
We burn away our youth and soul for R&R (Rock n’ Roll).  Maybe it's more than that.  Maybe we have wasted our entire life...maybe but maybe not.

3.) Do you think JOYSIDE at the time was represented honestly in "Wasted Orient"?

Joyside is shy, but that's why it’s funny.
There is no lie.  There is only truth.

4.) What do you hope happens for "Wasted Orient" in the future and what do you expect "Wasted Orient" will do for JOYSIDE?

I hope everybody watches this movie, and are inspired to start to play R&R!

"Wasted Orient" is our great memento.
When we get old we will watch this movie with our family.
Our sons or daughters will love R&R and get this one-track mind.

I just hope this movie could give people R&R POWER!
I don't need money or fame (“I hate this word”, he adds) from this movie, only need everybody to love Joyside and R&R because from them we see what life here really is like.  This is enough.  At least that’s what I think.

5.) During the filming of "Wasted Orient" was there any point that you wanted to stop the film completely? Why or why not?

Every time Yang Yang played guitar.  That part!
Yeah! I really want to watch me more!
Because, I'm so SWEEEET!

6.) Why do you think Fritz made a film about JOYSIDE and why did he chose only to represent JOYSIDE?

Fritz is a great person. He could have not found JOYSIDE! But come on, no one is blind. JOYSIDE ROCKS!  That’s why.

7.) Is "Wasted Orient" more about a rock n' roll band in China or is it more about 4 young men's struggle with life? Is it about something else entirely? If so what is it all about?

It's all about their life.
No ROCK&ROLL, no LIFE.
But we can see their sorrow and gain a lust for life from this movie.
Most Chinese peoples think Joyside though are losers.
Is this movie about Chinese losers?
NO!
This movie is about burning our youth.

8.) What is different about "Wasted Orient" compared with other films made about the Chinese rock n' roll scene?

Other movies?  It’s funnier. There’s more ROCK than other movies!  And it’s the truth. Yes.  Truth.

9.) If you could summarize "Wasted Orient" in one word what would it be?

ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!!

10.) If you could speak to the audiences that see "Wasted Orient" what do you want to say?

F*CK FOREVER!!!!!

A post “Wasted Orient” interview with Bian Yuan (his Chinese name by birth which literally mean “really far”)---the singer/founder of China’s greatest band of all-time: Joyside---following the Beijing premiere.

  

1.) What is your opinion of "Wasted Orient"?

 Wasted Orient, I believe, is a precise and brilliant documentary about one messed-up band: JOYSIDE.

 2.) Why do you think Fritz titled the film "Wasted Orient"?

 There is one documentary I watched when I was younger, named, "The Decline of Western Civilization."  It's about the late 70's and early 80's punk bands in the USA.  I think there are some similarities in the situations with the current Chinese punk-rock scene.  It's young and filled with chaos.  There are signs of dreams turned into despair---hopeless dreams.  By the way, GERMS has always been our favorite band.  They were in that film too, which is awesome.  Also, JOYSIDE is a vulgar band that is utterly wasted in everyway living here in this wasteland---at the tables, on the stages, in the studios, and it’s all seen through this film.

3.) Do you think JOYSIDE at the time was represented honestly in "Wasted Orient"?

 Yes. Fritz knows us so well.  He is so harmonious with us.  No one else could make this film.  He is a one of JOYSIDE.

4.) What do you hope happens for "Wasted Orient" in the future and what do you expect "Wasted Orient" will do for JOYSIDE?

My wish for this film is that it could be seen by people all over the world.  And, if some guys or girls think that Chinese Rock n' Roll’s JOYSIDE is a funny and lovely spectacle, I hope that they could know we are not coming for your simple curiosity.  We are doing real Rock n' Roll and we will come to your town and spew it all over you and rock your face off.

 5.) During the filming of "Wasted Orient" was there any point that you wanted to stop the film completely?  Why or why not?

 In truth, there was a moment I wanted it to end.  Well not the production of the film but I wanted this point of time to be the climax and end of the film.

We were in the last city of our tour (XIAN).  During the show, Fritz joked with me that I needed to kick some body and start a brawl (Fritz often says Chinese rock n’ roll is too polite).  But I was not up for joking around at the time.  I just wanted to give myself a firm kick to the face.  The reason is that because I was so fucking sick of those old songs we were playing.  I was tired of this band.  I wished all of this had never happened.  I wished I had never been born.

And then, I remember when I got off the stage, I told everyone, “this is the end of your nightmare!”

Two years later, after I saw “Wasted Orient”, I was deeply touched.

I wanted to appreciate Fritz for recording and assembling all the good times and all the shit together in this one film.  It was what we were.  It is what we are.  He made us all a present that we truly can’t repay him for.  It is a gift for me and for the rest of JOYSIDE.

6.) Why do you think Fritz made a film about JOYSIDE and why did he chose only to represent JOYSIDE? 

Why? Because he is fucking smart and has good taste.  He must have known he would win with risking a 90 minute film about JOYSIDE.  I am serious.

7.) Is "Wasted Orient" more about a rock n' roll band in China or is it more about 4 young men's struggle with life?  Is it about something else entirely?  If so what is it all about? 

I think it's simply a film about Rock n' Roll.  I never think about our struggles with life---though we are poor, and lose hope sometimes---but we are proud of what we have done and what we are doing.  That's enough.  It's nothing about "LIFE". Life is such a bitch, and it never makes me excited. I just leave her alone.

8.) What is different about "Wasted Orient" compared with other films made about the Chinese rock n' roll scene?

 It's pure. It simply exhibits the most essential and the most basic form of joy all the way through to sadness.  There’s no bullshit.  And this film will surely be a treasure in the history of Chinese Rock n' Roll.

9.) If you could summarize "Wasted Orient" in one word what would it be?

 Revel.  Though some scenes made me feel very sad when I saw them, I felt like we were watching Bacchanalia (literally the Roman festival of Bacchus where they celebrate with dance and song.  “Orgy” is a synonym.  Perhaps a translation problem but you get the point).

 10.) If you could speak to the audiences that see "Wasted Orient" what do you want to say?

 

Make your life one of wild revel and we shall meet.

HAVE TO LOVE CRITICS!!!!

RECENT REVIEW OF "WASTED ORIENT" BY tcdailyplanet.net

• "Wasted Orient is, unfortunately, a vapid sketch of the Chinese punk band Joyslide. The band, and the film’s director Kevin Fritz, seemed resistant to connect punk, historically a music that resists dominant cultural mores, to the context of Communist China."
• ARE YOU KIDDING ME? VAPID? IT HAS BEEF NOODLE VOMIT, PUBLIC URINATING ON WALLS, THE CONSUMPTION OF BUGS, DOGS, AND SQUID, PLUS DRUNK AFTER DRUNK AFTER DRUNK ROCK N ROLLER. WHY IS IT THAT YOU SEEM TO ASSUME THAT BECAUSE CHINESE PEOPLE ARE 'PUNKS' THEY HAVE TO ACT LIKE WESTERN PUNKS.  PLUS A "CULTURAL MORE" OF CHINA IS THE EMPHASIS ON SAVING ONE'S FACE.  THAT BEING SAID JOYSIDE QUITE OFTEN CRITICISES THEMSELVES AND LETS IT ALL HANG OUT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THEM AS THE GENUINELY ARE.  IF THERE IS ANYTHING NON-CHINESE ABOUT THEM IT IS THIS CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR OUTWARD APPEARANCE.  CHINESE ESPECIALLY THOSE IN CHARGE ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS.  SO YOU ARE WRONG
• FURTHERMORE, THERE IS LITTLE HISTORICAL CONNECTION EXCEPT FOR THE MUSICAL CONNECTION AND IN CHINA I AM SORRY TO INFORM YOU BUT PUNK ROCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS. CHINESE PUNKS DON'T CARE ABOUT POLITICS. IF ANYTHING, A LOT OF THEM ARE SIMPLY LAZY AND INTOXICATED...HENCE THE TITLE OF THE FILM. YOU CAN'T MAKE A DOCUMENTARY SOMETHING IT ISN'T...THAT WOULD BE UNETHICAL. I SHOW THROUGH "WASTED ORIENT" EXACTLY HOW CHINA IS; AND MIGHT I REMIND YOU IT IS TOLD DIRECTLY FROM A NATIVE PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE.
• Given the late arrival of punk to China (beginning in the late 1980s), Joyslide presents a pastiche of the major punk scenes: members sport t-shirts of the Germs, the Circle Jerks, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash and most of their songs start off with the Ramones’ “1-2-3-4.”
• I AM SORRY MY VOCABULARY ISN'T AS HOT-DOGGY AS YOURS SO I HAD TO CONSULT WWW.WEBSTER.COM TO LOOK UP PASTICHE. WHILE JOYSIDE (NOT JOYSLIDE AS YOU STATED) IMITATES PREVIOUS BANDS IT IS DONE IN TRIBUTE JUST LIKE GUNS N' ROSES HAS DONE, ROLLING STONES HAVE DONE WITH COVERS. ALSO, THERE IS VERY LITTLE CLASH IN JOYSIDE. RAMONES YES BUT COME ON TO BE COMPARED TO RAMONES IS A GREAT THING. PLUS THEY ARE THE FIRST GENERATION IN MODERN CHINA TO BE ABLE TO USE THEIR MINDS. FROM 1966-1976, AND EVEN BEFORE THIS PERIOD TO THINK INDIVIDUALLY WAS DANGEROUS. GIVE THEM A BREAK. SOON THEY WILL GET THEIR OWN STYLES. FOR THE TIME BEING LET THEM BORROW A LITTLE...THAT'S A LOT LIKE FASHION PUNK COMING OUT IN THE WEST IN PRESENT DAY.
• Unfortunately, the band only seems to embrace the most nihilist ideas of punk.
• YES, THAT THEY CARE ABOUT NOTHING. I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE THE SAME WAY WHEN COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT YOU CAN'T FIGHT CITY HALL. THEY ARE HUMAN. AT LEAST THEY HAVE A REASON TO BE THIS WAY UNLIKE FASHION PUNK KIDS FROM THE SUBURBS. UNLIKE THEM JOYSIDE, LIKE MOST OTHER CHINESE BANDS DO CARE ABOUT ONE THING THOSE IN THE WEST DON'T SEEM TO ADMIT THAT THEY TOO WANT THEMSELVES.  JOYSIDE IF GIVEN THE OPTION OF ANYTHING AND MONEY WOULD CHOOSE THE LATTER.  AS WOULD ANYONE IN THEIR SITUATION.  NIHILIST ARE STUPID ANYWAY.  LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NIHILISTS IN "THE BIG LEBOWSKI".  JOHN GOODMAN KICKED THEIR ASSES.
• Over the course of the film, one of the members asks the camera why [director] would want to make a film about Joyslide.
• ACTUALLY, IF YOU READ THE SUBTITLES CORRECTLY IT WAS HIS PARENTS WHO ASKED HIM THIS. THE REASON THEY ASKED SUCH A QUESTION WAS BECAUSE HIS PARENTS DISOWNED HIM AND THOUGHT OF HIM AS WORTHLESS...HENCE AGAIN THE TITLE---"WASTED ORIENT".  THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE GAVE A HOOT ABOUT THEIR "FAILURE OF A SON".  THAT WAS LIU HAO SPEAKING ABOUT HIS MILITARY FAMILY WHO HE LATER ADMITS TO RECONCILING WITH.  BACK TO THE FIGHTING THE ESTABLISHMENT.  LIU HAO'S FOLKS ARE MILITARY OFFICIALS, QUITE HIGH ON THE HIERARCHY LADDER IN THEIR COUNTRY.  FOR LIU HAO TO DIRECTLY DISOBEY THEIR WISHES TAKES SOME LARGE GRAPES MY FRIEND.  THAT IS FAIRLY PUNK ROCK TO GO AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT THERE AS YOU PREVIOUSLY STATED AS BEING A REQUISITE.  I GUESS HE WOULD LOSE POINTS FROM YOU IN HIS PUNK-ROCKEDNESS FOR ADMITTING HE CARED ABOUT HIS FAMILY. 
• The film had me wondering the same thing, especially given the number of punk bands in China that consciously engage with punk’s position in the political economy of modern China.
• WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHAT BANDS? THERE ARE NO SUCH THING. IF THEY WERE THEY WOULD BE IN PRISON. HAVE YOU EVER EVEN BEEN TO CHINA?  YOUR STATEMENT COULDN'T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
• While the four members of Joyslide spent much of the film getting wasted, the film wasted an opportunity to explore the cultural impact of punk music in modern China."
• HEY NICE PUN.  AGAIN YOU MISSED THE POINT ENTIRELY. THE CULTURAL IMPACT THAT PUNK ROCK, ROCK N' ROLL (WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT) IS HAVING ON MODERN CHINA IS ZIP, NADA, ZILCH---NO EFFECT AT ALL. THERE IS NO AUDIENCE AND AS BIAN YUAN SAYS, "ROCK N' ROLL IN CHINA IS A NIGHTMARE".  AGAIN---HENCE THE TITLE---"WASTED ORIENT"