 |
| Malone: Chinese people especially need the irony of political cartoons to remove the masks of some leaders. |
 |
| Zunzi: The most unforgettable experience was the June Fourth Movement in 1989. He was critical of Beijing. |
|
|
Newspapers devote thousands of words to politics everyday, and often with mind-numbing gravity. Meanwhile, there is another channel devoted to political news, a less somber one - the political cartoon.
Famous political cartoonist Malone, whose real name is Mr. Malone Yuen, explained the role of political cartoons in Hong Kong.
"Chinese people traditionally are strongly obedient to authority," he said. "Sons must obey to their fathers, and employees must obey their employers.
"They believe that everything done by the leaders must be right. They have never thought of equality. This was why the Cultural Revolution in China could be caused by merely one person," said Malone, who is now drawing political cartoons for two Chinese language newspapers in Hong Kong.
"So I think Chinese people especially need the irony of political cartoons to remove the masks of some leaders.
"Indeed, political cartoons play the same role of social watchdog as editorials. They have the same functions and purposes, but use different means to deliver their messages," said Malone.
Another well-known political cartoonist in Hong Kong is Zunzi. His real name is Mr. Wong Kee Kwan. He was graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1978. His works are now published in three local newspapers and three local magazines. He loved drawing since he was young, and he was a secondary school teacher before becoming a political cartoonist.
A famous Japanese cartoonist, Mr. Tezuka Osamu, is one of Zunzi's favorites because he has strong confidence and enthusiasm in cartooning.
"When I was a teacher, I had to tell students to be obedient to rules which even include cleaning blackboards from left to right. I found that I was not suitable to be a teacher. It is an occupation opposed to creativitity.
"I liked drawing when I was young, but this was not the reason for becoming a political cartoonist. Indeed, some of my classmates drew better pictures and I used to pay them 20 cents to rent their drawings to read.
"What made me become a political cartoonist is that cartoons enable me to express myself within a short period of time. I want to express my opinions as quickly as possible.
"I try to make my pictures humorous. Of course, for some serious matters, I want people to share my feelings. I do hope that they will think about the matter seriously and try to exercise practical actions.
"But it is true that things won't always go in the way I expect. It is only an ideal. Actually, I think Chinese officials do not listen to me," continued Zunzi.
Added Malone: "I desire to respond to social issues because I hope that our society will be close to the one I want. This is why I draw political cartoons.
"With my ironic pictures, I want people to know that it is not true that someone will be superior to others simply if he has a position of authority.
"Political cartoons make use of cartoons to `uglify' the divine image of some leaders," said Malone.
Uncovering society's unfairness and absurdity, Zunzi and Malone sometimes experience a sense of mission.
Said Zunzi: "I do not have a sense of mission always. My feelings are very complicated. Sometimes I do want to gather all the people together.
"The most unforgettable experience was the June Fourth Movement in 1989. I really wanted to make use of cartoons to arouse the attention of all people."
Malone also drew a lot of cartoons which were critical of the way authorities handled the 1989 incident, but he said he has no fear of remaining in Hong Kong after the 1997 takeover. He said he was born and raised in Hong Kong, and he has a responsibility to remain here and do the best job he can.
Said Malone: "I have a rather strong sense of mission because I can respond to some unfairness in society. Sometimes I feel happy to sully the reputations of people (who deserve it). Our cartoons reduce the public confidence towards them."
Zunzi said, "The number of political cartoonists in Hong Kong is very small when compared with that of Taiwan, where almost all newspapers have their own political cartoonists, showing different political orientations.
"The status of political cartoons in Hong Kong is not very high - average maybe. People tend to pay more attention to words than cartoons.
"In fact, the impact of political cartoons can be more direct and far-reaching than that of editorials. So, cartoons were widely used by newspapers (in mainland China) to create a unifying force during the second Sino-Japanese War.
"But the situation is different in Hong Kong now. People are used to read editorials first, and then watch television and listen to music. Political cartoons are not their first choice.
"However, I don't feel any disappointment."
He explained that he believed different people would have different talents, and thus having different positions in the society - being a political cartoonist is one.
Although political cartoons had an early history in China, they are not published in newspapers these days, said Zunzi.
He said although people close to the Chinese leadership have been known to draw political cartoons without facing prosecution, the newspapers will not publish such drawings. However, cartoons about social issues are acceptable in Chinese newspapers.
Said Malone: "Most newspapers in Hong Kong do not have political cartoons because of their commercial nature - that is, to attract more readers. They always include pornographic materials in their newspapers. So, it is not surprising that they do not use political cartoons.
"The creative atmosphere here in Hong Kong is not very good. Meanwhile, in foreign countries, cartoonists who draw one cartoon a day can get enough money to pay the tremendous research bill.
"However, people drawing political cartoons can still try their best.
"No one will think that political cartoons in Hong Kong are below standard.
"Those who ask us to draw pictures for their newspapers respect our profession. They understand that political cartoons would lose their value if there is any editorial constraint placed on us. They hold an open attitude and let us draw whatever we like," said Malone.
While political cartoons are on the road towards maturity, the 1997 problem is a looming barrier.
"I experienced one self-censorship act in the beginning of 1993," Malone explained. He said a local newspaper refused to publish something sensitive.
"Because of the approach of 1997, newspapers have made some adjustments," he continued. "They changed their attitudes in the hope of opening the profitable China market. However, after one and a half year of effort, they learned that it is impossible to fulfil their dreams. The Communist Party will never let foreign media invade its society.
"I expect that there will be more self-censorship in media. Sometimes, I think it is a pity to be involved in the media power struggle.
"However, we still have choices, because there are just a few people drawing political cartoons in Hong Kong. I am cautiously optimistic towards the future, because I still believe that our society will improve.
"Otherwise, I would have no motivation to draw political cartoons," said Malone.
Sharing these views, Zunzi said, "In the short run, it may be pessimistic to draw political cartoons because the freedom of expression seems to be less and less. However, there may be an optimistic picture in the long run."
He said that there are always different factors to consider in drawing political cartoons - there won't be any difference with or without the 1997 changeover.
"I will draw what I like on one hand and observe the political developments on the other.
"I will go with the trends of the times and make appropriate responses.
"I am fully utilizing all the channels available to express my opinions. If the situation is unexpectedly worse, I can still draw out my opinions on the street," Zunzi concluded.