One World, Many Dreams Transcript

0.00

Shots of China, sporting action and celebration.

Despite international controversy the Olympics are seen domestically as heralding the arrival of modern China.

This could be why an estimated US$ 70 billion is being spent on hosting them.

Beyond the pomp, everyday Chinese are embracing the games with genuine verve and passion.

Those featured in these films are a snapshot of the myriad, each as individual as the next.

0:31

Close ups of Tattoo Man, walking into a shop for an interview.

“My name is Liu Ming. I'm from Henan. I came to Beijing for my tattoos.

It is my way of life.

This is what I do, and I don't care what other people say or think.

Some people say I'm cool, some people call me an idiot. All sorts of things are said about me.”

1:02

Interview of Tattoo artists in Tattoo Shop.

“My name is Xiaoquan. I come from Liaoyang.

I've been in Beijing for seven years. This shop has been open four and a half years.

In the past, like during the Ming Dynasty, most people with tattoos were criminals.

1:20

Tattoo man walking and smoking

“They'd either broken the law or it was a kind of punishment.”

1:25

Back in tattoo shop

“But things are different now, with all the changes that have happened, and the recent developments.”

Tattoos are more acceptable now. Even the older generation is more tolerant of stuff like that.

But nowadays people are more tolerant in general.

You have people from abroad - famous foreign celebrities and even in China, kids who follow fashion - they all see having a tattoo as perfectly normal.

It's gaining popularity now, instead of getting disapproval, like it did in the past.”

2:09

Rob Gifford Interview, mixed with general visuals of China.

“There are a lot of changes in China. Urban China is transformed. The cities have really boomed, and it’s a real boom; hundreds and millions of new middle class. But as that has happened, especially in recent years, we’ve sent the rise of the individual - you’ve got globalisation, you’ve got western attitudes coming in, and the convulsions of technological change that we’re wall experiencing now with the internet and IT developments. That’s all happened in China in a couple of decades, and that’s creating change of every sort; physical change obviously, but psychological change as well. Changes in what people think, what they believe.”

“I think the Olympics is a great coming out party for China itself. It disappeared into Maoism for 30 years and its been emerging very rapidly from that and so now to have China coming out onto the world stage, this is for many Chinese people just a very proud moment.”

3:12

Back to interview of Tattoo Man

“I decided to get Olympic tattoos done because our country is hosting the Olympics.

I'm part of this country, and I support the Olympics, and I've always liked tattoos.

I'm not very articulate, and these tattoos are the only way I can show my support for the Olympics.

As a Chinese person I'm very happy that the Olympics is being held here in China.

We're all different, but we're all Chinese and we all support our country.”

3:56

Opens on a courtyard – Kite man walks out.

“I'm from Beijing. I've been retired since 1998.”

4:12

Kite Man standing in his workshop. Close-ups of kites.

“After I retired, I began making kites.

When I started to make kitesI didn't use plastic bags like these.

But then I realised plastic bags were the ideal thing to use, and I began collecting them.

All sorts of bags, in so many different colours.

I would start by drawing shapes,trace the shapes onto the bags, cut them out and tape them together.

So, I'm recycling.

One person's rubbish can be another person's treasure.

So far I've made about 600 kites.”

5:02

Kite Man outside, flying his kites.

“Since Beijing got the Olympics, I've concentrated on the games because this is a first for China, and everyone in the country has been waiting a long time.”

5:20

Back in the workshop, mixed with shots of kite flying.

“These are the Olympic pictographs for the sports.

This one's for swimming. There are 35 of them.

So when you fly this one, it's pretty long.

The whole country is preparing to make these the best Olympics ever.

Wherever I fly my kites, I find an audience. I talk to people about them and they're really interested.

Every kite I make is a scene from life.

Like with these little kids - It's great to be alive.

So I fly kites, I make kites, and I look at what's happening in China.”

6:11

Rob Gifford Interview

“The communist party wiped out a lot of the old morality, the ways of ancient China – the Confucian beliefs, Daoism, Buddhism, and they replace it with Maoist morality. And now that Maoist morality is bankrupt, no one believes in it anymore, so I think a lot of the older people feel this spiritual vacuum, in which a lot of people don’t really know what to believe.”

6:38

Back in the workshop.

“My kites all have a very positive message.

That's why people like to watch them.

The themes of my kites reflect society coming together.”

7:00

Rob Gifford Interview

“We’ve seen a lot of disintegration in urban communities. We’ve seen the rise of the individual, and that in many ways has eroded many of the traditional ways of behaving. I think the Olympics are being used by some people as a means to reinstill a sort of community and of course a national spirit as well amongst Chinese people.”

7:19

Back outside, flying kites.

“There's a Chinese motto that goes; "One world,

one dream," and that's what the Olympics represent.

It's about being one big family, and it's also about peace and friendship.”

7:41

Opens on Meng Jie cycling in Tiananmen Square. Goes to an interview standing in front of his bike. Mixed with shots of him cycling in various locations.

“My name is Meng Jie.

I'm from Heilongjiang Province.

This vehicle is a bicycle in the shape of the five Olympic rings.

I had the idea more than ten years ago ... and created a steel bicycle, and created a steel bicycle,

It's suitable for long-distance riding, on any surface.

Cycling is my hobby. I have my own ideas on how to improve bicycle design.

8:15

Demonstrating the bike. Mixed with cycling shots.

You can choose different ways to ride. You can ride in this position, like a normal bike, or you can ride using the bike's unique feature, like a deer running from a panther. It allows a very high, steady speed.

I ride an average of 150 km, or about 12 hours every day.

Up to now, it's been pretty successful, although riding at night can be dangerous.

It started ten years ago when China was applying for the Olympic Games.

I thought there might be a way of connecting the five Olympic rings with cycling.

I believe the five rings bring the whole world together under the sky.

On a large scale, the five rings represent the five continents, and on a smaller scale they connect all of China.”

9:13

Rob Gifford Interview mixed with general visuals of China.

“The Olympics are part of this great re-emergence of Chinese pride. For so long China was the sick man of Asia. After centuries of being the greatest power on earth, it went into this sort of death spiral in the 19th century. Now China is rising again with the Olympic games, the great symbol of international cooperation and competition. This is for many Chinese people, just a very proud moment.”

9:45

Various shots of Meng interacting with the public.

“The general public has been very supportive, especially students, when they see the five-ringed bicycle.

And little kids too - but really, everywhere I go ... people are interested in the bicycle and gather round it.

While I've been riding, I've been thinking about the meaning of the five rings.

It originally represents the people of five continents, and their teamwork and cooperation.

It also represents the friendly cooperation ... of all the athletes in the Games.

Ultimately I want to take the bike to other countries and ride through all five continents.

So the Olympic rings will be able to go everywhere.”

10:40

Opens on Lu riding his motorcycle through Beijing. Into an interview in a china shop.

“I am police officer Lu Wun Lei, please you remember the name – Lu Wun Lei

I like the foreigners who come to Beijing very much. I feel Beijing is open to the rest of the world with the Olympic games. Many people form around the world will come into Beijing to visit the games.

English is a very important international language and not difficult to learn. Just practice with the foreigners and learn some useful sentences, anywhere and anytime.”

11:16

Seated at a table in the shop.

“To be honest I never attended any English training classes – it’s just my personal hobby. For the last 13 years.”

“To speak pretty good foreign languages the most important thing is perseverance and the second is patience. You have to enjoy losing your face! Don’t be shy, just try!”

11:36

Back to interview setup

I think most foreigners think the police in China are very heavy handed.

After dealing with us, they realise that it is not as they have been told. We police

are doing our jobs with a smile now.

We're only tough towards criminals. With them, it's: "Cuff him!"

But to our foreign friends, we'll say: "Now, please have a seat here."

12:07

Out on the street, speaking to tourists.

“The foreigner here in Beijing are great – very easy to get along with. They are very friendly so I want to give them pretty good service. So I have to learn some important words in my spare time. I feel I have to speak some words in French, but to honest its very difficult to master foreign languages. I just learn in my spare time to welcome the people from around the world to visit the games.”

12:32

Back to interview setup.

“Hi Welcome to China – thank you very much

Bienvinedo a Chin. Gracias – That’s Spanish.

Guddentarg .Welcome a Chin. Dankashen. Auf wiedenssien – That’s German.

Hallo. Verwelkom naar China. Tot Zien – That’s Dutch….”

12:50

Rob Gifford Interview

“I think on the surface you are seeing big changes in the police force especially in the big cities. The police arte being encouraged by the government to become much more service orientated. And you see that in the run up to the Olympics in the way the police are being trained to be friendly to tourists.”

13:10

Speaking to tourist.

“I speak very good Swedish. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Beijing. Im a police officer here.”

13:15

Back to Rob Gifford Interview

“Some of that change is real for sure, but underneath I don’t think we should be under any illusions that although China is not the police state of old. Without any cheques and balances within Chinese society, of course the police do still have a free reign in many areas to do exactly what they want to.”

13:34

Back io tea shop interview.

“I have a dream in a year of 2008 I will speak pretty good foreign languages to show the world our new Beijing!!”