Curse of the golden flower is a Chinese historical drama film directed by Zhang Yimou. The film is set in 10th-century China during the Tang dynasty and follows the story of a royal family torn apart by betrayal, power struggles, and hidden secrets. The main idea of the film revolves around the theme of power and the corrupting influence it can have on individuals and their relationships. The golden flower, which symbolizes power, becomes a curse that engulfs the royal family and leads to their downfall. The film showcases the lavish and opulent lifestyle of the royal court, with beautiful costumes, intricate set designs, and visually stunning cinematography. These elements add to the overall grandeur and intensity of the story.
And just like the witch hunts involved religious struggle, we’re very much dealing with a religious struggle of our own, said Sarah Marshall, host of the podcast You’re Wrong About. “One of the things that is nakedly obvious is that we live in a society divided between secular culture and religious culture … primarily American Christianity,” Marshall explained. From Ronald Regan’s Religious Right to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s desire for the GOP to be the “party of Christian nationalism,” Republicans have chosen their side. The fact it’s Republicans pushing education bills that stifle LQBTQ+- and sex-education specifically—familiar foes of that Christian Right—makes American classrooms a religious battleground. By daring to teach students about sex and gender identity, teachers become a 21st century witch, a secular enemy in a struggle to establish religious education in schools.
What I just want to say, Sedef Urus continued, is that none of these women who were accused of witchcraft and executed for it would have self-identified as a witch even if they confessed to it. By daring to teach students about sex and gender identity, teachers become a 21st century witch, a secular enemy in a struggle to establish religious education in schools.
These elements add to the overall grandeur and intensity of the story. The characters in the film are complex and multidimensional, each with their own motivations, desires, and secrets. The relationships between the characters are filled with tension and emotional conflict, as they navigate through a web of deceit and betrayal.
Witch-hunt against Tejaswini Desai highlights dangers of being a teacher in India today
Security personnel chasing protesters in Kolhapur on June 7. It was courageous of Professor Tejaswini Desai to conduct a class on human values and religious discrimination given the city was still recovering from episodes of communal violence. | Photo Credit: PTI
What happened to Professor Tejaswini Desai of Kolhapur can happen to anyone in the teaching community. It tells you of the perils of being a teacher in India of our times. Teachers can no longer assume that the class is over after the stipulated period of 55 or 60 minutes. Whatever transpired in the class can continue to be played out on social media for days on end, often without the teacher even being aware of it. The teacher can then be held accountable by those who have never been part of their class, people they have never known, and whose opinions they will now have to face.
Tejaswini Desai, an Associate Professor of Physics at Kolhapur Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering in Maharashtra, has been put on leave pending the completion of an inquiry against her.
WATCH:How did a classroom discussion become a controversy? | Video Credit: Text by Apoorvanand, Edited by Sambavi Parthasarathy
What wrong did she commit?
Professor Desai was conducting a class on human values. This was not her regular class; she was taking over after the previous lecturer’s resignation. The students informed her that the class had been discussing the idea of discrimination and they wanted to continue with it. She agreed and proposed a discussion on gender discrimination. However, the students insisted on discussing religious discrimination instead, to which she agreed.
Professor Desai was aware of the context. Kolhapur was still recovering from episodes of communal violence that broke out after someone made Aurangzeb’s image the status of their social media account. Considering this, one might say it was courageous of Professor Desai to agree to discuss the topic. Like all teachers, she must have felt that there should be no hesitation in discussing things with students if they want to learn about them.
During the discussion, some students began reiterating prejudices and false claims against Muslims that are prevalent in Hindu society today. They claimed that all Muslims are rapists, violent, and obstruct Hindu festivals. Furthermore, they asserted that the Babri Masjid had been demolished on the orders of the Supreme Court.
Professor Desai was shocked to hear these opinions. She responded by stating that rape is a crime that can be committed by men of any religion, including men from the Deshmukh or Patil communities (dominant caste groups in Maharashtra).
Unknown to Professor Desai, some students were recording the classroom discussion. Nearly a week after the class, she was called to the principal’s office where a police officer was also present. She was informed that an edited video of the discussion had been circulating on various social media platforms. The video alleged that she had referred to Aurangzeb as a good man while calling Patils and Deshmukhs rapists. Professor Desai was shocked to see that her comments had been completely distorted.
The police claimed that they had seen the social media exchanges and had come to the college to question her. It is surprising to see such swift action by the police! The college administration asked Professor Desai to resolve the matter by apologising, but she stood her ground and refused. As a result, a committee was formed to investigate the matter, and she has been asked to go on leave until then.
We can admire Professor Desai for her courage, but teachers should not need such extraordinary courage to fulfil their normal duty, which is teaching. This is exactly what Professor Desai was doing: performing her duty as a teacher. She was doing what all teachers are supposed to do. As Professor Desai has stated, she had to make her students reflect on their ideas, to critically examine themselves, and to question the ideas or opinions held dear by their families.
It is an unsettling process for the students. But this is what teachers are supposed to do: challenge and provoke students to think independently. Moreover, students need to be taught that everything they do should be infused with empathy for others. And if this is not instilled in a class that teaches human values, then where else?
By questioning her students’ prejudices against Muslims, Professor Desai was actually helping them dispel the basic factual untruth that there are no rapists or criminals among communities other than Muslims. How is it possible that university students did not know that rapists can be found in all communities, including their own? What have they been reading? Who have they been listening to? How have they been indoctrinated with such false notions?
“Without the freedom of honest speech, the classroom will no longer be a place of genuine and open learning. It will instead become a space for propaganda.”
To witness students using radicalised language and remaining silent just to maintain peace is a betrayal of the teaching profession. By correcting their misconceptions, Professor Desai was not only deradicalising them but also humanising them. This is what all teachers should be doing in these times. Unfortunately, the authorities in power do not want this to happen.
In essence, it was not Professor Desai, but some of her students, who violated the norms of the classroom. The classroom is not a public forum; it is a space between the teacher and the students, created by them. It is more open and safer than the street, allowing free expression of views that may not be possible elsewhere. Here, thoughts can be shared that might lead to trouble outside. That is why teachers never make public the views expressed by students in the classroom, nor do they disclose their names. The classroom has to be a safe space, both for the students and the teachers.
Campuses and classrooms serve as laboratories of ideas. Teachers encourage students to speak their minds here because where else would they get such an opportunity? Inhibitions and censorship exist in every aspect of society, starting from the family.
The classroom is built on an unspoken contract between students and teachers, based on mutual trust. Just as students are allowed to present their views freely, teachers are also free to present their views. Their role is not to act as umpires in the game of ideas; rather, their training and position impose a more onerous responsibility on them. It is their duty to teach students how to think and how to think responsibly. That is precisely what Professor Desai was doing.
Self-censorship will impact teaching and learning
The students who recorded and made an edited version of the discussion public violated the contract between teachers and students, without which no class can function. By doing so, they not only endangered Professor Desai but also harmed other students. This includes not only the students in their college but also those in other institutions across India.
Now, teachers will become cautious and refrain from speaking out. They will begin self-censorship and distance themselves from the students. Popular opinion and mob mentalities will go unchallenged. This is a loss for teachers, but an even greater loss for students. If students are not encouraged and prompted to self-reflect, to critically examine themselves and their ideas in the light of reason, facts, and logic, how will they learn and what will they learn?
This incident in Kolhapur reminded me of Gilbert Sebastian from the Central University of Kerala, whose class presentation on fascism was also made public, similar to Professor Desai’s case. Organisations such as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad forced the administration to suspend Sebastian. Although the suspension was later revoked, one can only imagine the impact it had on Sebastian. Will he be able to teach with the same ease after such an incident? Will he be able to teach with an open and fearless mind and heart?
If a teacher is constantly forced to doubt the intentions of her students and fears that anything they say might be broadcasted or that the authorities will be called upon them, then the classroom becomes an extremely tense environment. Without the freedom of honest speech, it will no longer be a place of genuine and open learning. The classroom will instead become a space for propaganda.
This is precisely what Hindutva organisations want the classroom to become. But is this what students also want?
Apoorvanand teaches Hindi at Delhi University and writes literary and cultural criticism. His latest book is Muktibodh Ki Lalten.
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The performances in Curse of the golden flower are exceptional, with the cast delivering powerful and captivating portrayals of their characters. Gong Li stands out in her role as the Empress, capturing her character's strength and vulnerability. The film also uses symbolism and visual motifs to enhance its storytelling. The color yellow, representing the imperial family, is prevalent throughout the film, emphasizing their wealth and power. The intricate and symbolic golden chrysanthemum pattern on the emperor's robes represents his authority and the curse that ultimately unravels their family. Curse of the golden flower is a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that explores the themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of obsession. It serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of greed and the lengths some will go to maintain their position of power..
Reviews for "The Depiction of Family Dynamics in "Curse of the Golden Flower"
1. John - 2/5 Stars - I found "Curse of the Golden Flower" to be a disappointing film. The visuals were stunning, as expected from director Zhang Yimou, but the storyline lacked depth and failed to engage me. The plot felt convoluted and focused too much on the extravagant sets and costumes, neglecting character development and emotional depth. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, while the film had its moments, it failed to deliver a compelling story, leaving me disappointed.
2. Sarah - 3/5 Stars - Although "Curse of the Golden Flower" boasted impressive visuals and a talented cast, I found the storyline to be confusing and hard to follow. The film was filled with political intrigue and family drama, but it failed to strike a balance between the two. As a result, I felt disconnected from the characters and their motivations. Furthermore, the excessive use of CGI and elaborate set design became overwhelming at times, overshadowing the storytelling. While there were elements to appreciate, I ultimately left the theater feeling underwhelmed and wanting more substance.
3. Mark - 2/5 Stars - "Curse of the Golden Flower" tried to dazzle its audience with opulent visuals and elaborate fight sequences, but in doing so, it neglected to create a compelling story or memorable characters. The film felt like a shallow spectacle, more concerned with the aesthetics than with narrative depth. The excessive use of slow-motion shots and vibrant colors only served to distract from the lack of substance. While there were moments of excitement, the overall viewing experience left me unimpressed and wishing for a more engaging storyline.