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"When Nikon, Toyota, Hundai, Mitsubishi and Nippon want to sell goods here, they hire American marketing and advertising firms who really do understand us, who conduct focus groups and surveys, who know how to sell to us. They do not show Japanese actors showing off their Sentras and Kubota tractors, and I expect the Chinese to do the same with the flow of data to us."

First of all, the Japanese aren't the Chinese. Far from it. And, most importantly, this is not some 60 second commercial. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was completely out of the ordinary as far as a commercial success for anything over 60 seconds. The rest of the films from Asia that have been successful have been, for the most part, laughed at or had cult martial arts followings -- nothing deeper.

And the Chinese are a long way from even that. They'll be seen for what they are really quickly with their state-run news. Again, that's JMO. I don't see a boogey man here. I see a joke -- and the best way to defeat something is to riducule it.

"And the Chinese are a long way from even that"

Hope so. Lots depends on how much money they spend, and who gets to write copy for them, and run the cameras. jane is not with Ted anymore, and there is a raft of actors and writers who probably would work hard to promote the cause. Like the bunch who said they'd leave the US if Bush got elected? Or the producers and writers of Freinds, did you see the Rolling Stone interview with Anniston? She'd help with money and production tips, ubetcha!

I think that in a few years, the ChicomTV will look just like CNN and sound as reasonable as PRI or NPR.

I saw "Crouching Tiger..." and thought the cable scenes, flying over the rooftops, were a hoot. It was very Western in its production, though.