[Epoch Times October 14, 2021](The Epoch Times columnist John Mac Ghlionn/Compiled by Qu Zhizhuo) The latest James Bond (British Agent 007) movie “007: No Time to Die” (No Time to Die, translated from Taiwan as “Life and Death”) has received wide acclaim. However, the plot of this movie is divorced from today’s geopolitical reality. There is a deeper story behind it.
Today, China-more specifically, the Chinese Communist Party-poses one of the greatest threats, if not the greatest threat to the world. Bond’s storyline can never reflect this undeniable fact. The reason is obvious and regrettable.
As some authors have pointed out, 007’s latest work is the 25th in the spy series, and it shows how far 007 deviates from the real-world script. Close your eyes and imagine Mr. Bond fighting with the bad guys from the Ministry of National Security in Beijing. You can’t imagine, right? This is because the CCP, which has a high degree of control over Hollywood, will never allow this kind of plot to exist.
Once upon a time, Bond was very synchronized with the times. He fights enemies that the audience can recognize. For example, in “From Russia With Love” released in 1963, the Soviet Union was an obvious threat. During Brezhnev’s administration, the Soviet Union rapidly expanded its military operations-a “superpower” was born. The world is on high alert, which is reflected in the plot of James Bond. Today, it is impossible to make a movie like “Love from China”-of course, unless it happens to be a love movie based in China.
Ten years after the release of “Love from Russia”, Roger Moore traveled to the Caribbean to spy on the evil dictator Kananga in the rather unforgettable “007: Live and Let Die” (Live and Let Die) (Kananga) Dr.’s actions.
At the same time, in the real world, the President of Haiti is Jean-Claude Duvalier. During his 15-year reign of terror, thousands of Haitians were killed or tortured. Duvalier is an evil dictator. Before Duvalier became president, his father François Duvalier (François Duvalier) was one of the greatest tyrants in history. This makes “007: Dead and Alive” more realistic, even though the movie itself is rather gentle.
Fast forward to the fall of 2021, James Bond, played by the excellent Daniel Craig, is enjoying a good life in Jamaica. When Felix Leiter, a CIA agent and his former close friend, appeared, Bond’s peaceful life was broken. Bond reluctantly accepts the task of freeing the kidnapped scientist from a dangerous villain named Safin. Safin, played by Rami Malek, is an arrogant villain. Safin’s severely burned face highlights his evil. He lives in a cave. He is not like Dr. No (Dr. No, the villain in the 007 series), but more like Dr. Evil (Dr. Evil, the villain in the American movie “Ace of Power”). He is a ridiculous opponent.
Of course, this kind of superficial and crude plot is just right for the CCP. As we all know, Hollywood has allowed the CCP to write scripts for many years, allowing the CCP to delete any language or scenes that it considers inappropriate.
As a large report published by PEN America aptly stated, in the past decade, “as Beijing expands its global role as a world power, major trading partner, sovereign investor, and cultural influence”, the CCP’s “domestic The mode of censorship and control has transcended China’s national borders.” According to the report, in addition to intimidating politicians, the CCP’s goals also include “publishers, writers, scholars, journalists and other people who are concerned about China’s issues, regardless of their citizenship or residence.”
James Bond, a rebellious man who would not call him a subject to anyone, in fact succumbed to the CCP.
Of course, Bond is not alone. In early September, Paramount Pictures postponed the release of “Top Gun: Maverick” (Top Gun: Maverick) to May 2022. Tom Cruise has been 35 years since his debut, and now he is back. He played Pete “The Lone Ranger” Mitchell (Mitchell), bold and fearless, dismissive of anyone, um, anyone except the CCP.
The new “High Aspirations” has been funded by Tencent, and Tencent has a close relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. In the first episode of “Rising Clouds” released in 1986, Cruise proudly wore the iconic jacket patch with the flags of Japan and Taiwan. However, now, in the trailer for the Cruise sequel, the flag has been replaced and replaced by two obscure “non-aggressive” symbols.
Both Craig and Cruise are outstanding actors, and they can only work with the script they get. What should be blamed is Hollywood, which is controlled by the CCP. Sadly, the days when movies truly represent a certain substance seem to be gone-the popularity of certain franchises in China proves this fact. From “Transformers” to “Fast and Furious”, these harmless works for teenagers have made a lot of money for Hollywood and the CCP, and no one is offended. Well, except for certain Americans.
As the aforementioned report pointed out, although criticism of the CCP is absolutely prohibited, criticism of the United States seems to be actively encouraged. According to the author, this is the latest trend. “Hollywood films criticized American political leaders without hesitation, so much so that some Americans think filmmakers and movie stars are not patriotic.”
This brings us back to the topic of 007 movies. As long as the CCP controls Hollywood’s narrative themes, there will be fewer and fewer movies that reflect the reality of the world today. Bond, who has been “shaken” and “stirred” by Beijing gangsters, is not worth mentioning. Because of this, contrary to popular belief, I think now is the best time for Bond to disappear. (Note: “Shaken, not stirred” is the classic line used by Bond to designate his favorite martini cocktail in the 007 series of movies.)
About the Author:
John Mac Ghlionn is a researcher and essayist. His work has been published in the New York Post, Sydney Morning Herald, The American Conservative, National Review, Public “The Public Discourse” and other well-known media. He is also a columnist for Cointelegraph. His Twitter is: @ghlionn
The original “James Bond’s China Problem” was published in the English “Epoch Times“
This article only represents the author’s own views and does not necessarily reflect the position of The Epoch Times.
Editor in charge: Gao Jing#
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