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Inside the 'Hermit Kingdom'

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time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 • Page 3insidePAGE4PAGE5PAGE6PAGE12PAGE13MotoringThe pint-sized iQ from Toyota has ahead-turning design. But <strong>the</strong>re areseveral o<strong>the</strong>r factors that could befine-tuned for a better drive.Heartfelt loveThe emotion felt on <strong>the</strong> part of <strong>the</strong>car owner is very important and it isemotion that automakers play on tocommit customers to a particular carmodel.Riddles of OzNo Hollywood film has been moredogged by rumour, legend and mythas The Wizard of Oz. Seventy years on,how true are <strong>the</strong>se claims?Art & CultureWith prized pieces on loan from NewYork’s Museum of Modern Art, <strong>the</strong>avant-garde movement’s biggest-everexhibition, Bauhaus — A ConceptualModel is drawing good crowds.Help from <strong>the</strong> publicWith <strong>the</strong> help of <strong>the</strong> ‘Adopt-a-Statue’programme, ¤2mn have been raisedso far, giving 86 statues and vases anew lease on life at Versailles, one ofFrance’s most visited tourist sites.RegularsComics, Puzzles, Info-guide Page 14-16features@gulf-times.comFeatures Editor: Nahla NainarSub-editor: G JohnLayout artist: Pushpa Raj Shrestha*Euna Lee (left) and Laura Ling, two American journalists who were arrested in March after allegedly crossing intoNorth Korea from China, speak with reporters as former president Bill Clinton and former vice President Al Gore lookon after <strong>the</strong> two arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California on Wednesday. Cover photograph: North Koreanswalk by a statue of <strong>the</strong> late leader Kim Il-sung in <strong>the</strong> capital Pyongyang in this May 1, 2004 file photo.World’s onlycommunistdynastyCoverStoryBill Clinton’s successful negotiations for <strong>the</strong> returnof two US journalists have put North Korea in <strong>the</strong>news again, but what do we really know about KimJong-il’s ‘hermit kingdom’? Tania Branigan offersan introduction to <strong>the</strong> countryThanks to his trademarkMao suit and Elvisstylesunglasses, and toNorth Korea’s nuclearprogramme, KimJong-il has become an instantlyrecognisable figure and his countrya regular feature in news headlines.Yet most people know little about<strong>the</strong> “hermit kingdom”; a titlefirst applied to ancient Korea, butsince judged perfectly suited to <strong>the</strong>modern North.It is successful not only atlimiting its citizens’ access toinformation — only senior officialscan use <strong>the</strong> Internet, for example— but also foreigners’. Intelligenceagencies around <strong>the</strong> world arereduced to poring over photos ofKim to ascertain his state of healthand <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> country’s stability.Much of what we know about himcomes from <strong>the</strong> memoirs of hisformer sushi chef.But over <strong>the</strong> years, moreinformation has emerged. Theborder with China has becomeporous, with people moving backand forth and some in <strong>the</strong> area usingChinese mobile phone networkswith smuggled handsets.Until 1987 no visitors from “nonaligned”countries were allowed; by1993, around 50 Western tourists ayear were visiting. Now just under2,000 a year go <strong>the</strong>re, along withup to 30,000 Chinese tourists,accompanied by guides at all times.Photographs are inspected — andoften deleted — before touristsleave. And it is still relatively rare forjournalists to win access.And <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re are <strong>the</strong> defectors,who paint an alarming picture ofwidespread human rights abuses,although many of <strong>the</strong>ir accountsdate back to <strong>the</strong> 1990s.According to a report from <strong>the</strong>UN High Commission for HumanRights this year: “The UN GeneralAssembly has recognised andcondemned severe DemocraticPeople’s Republic of Korea humanrights violations including <strong>the</strong>use of torture, public executions,extrajudicial and arbitrarydetention, and forced labour; <strong>the</strong>absence of due process and <strong>the</strong> ruleof law; death sentences for politicaloffences; and a large number ofprison camps.“The government operates asemi-hereditary system of socialdiscrimination whereby all citizensare classified into 53 subgroupsunder overall security ratings —‘core’, ‘wavering’, and ‘hostile’ —based on <strong>the</strong>ir family’s perceivedloyalty to <strong>the</strong> regime. This ratingdetermines virtually every facet of aperson’s life, including employmentand educational opportunities,place of residence, access to medicalfacilities, and even access to stores.”North Korea is <strong>the</strong> world’s onlycommunist dynasty: Kim Jong-ilinherited power on <strong>the</strong> death ofhis fa<strong>the</strong>r Kim Il-sung in 1994,although <strong>the</strong> latter remains eternalpresident and his son is instead DearLeader.Official biographers say that <strong>the</strong>67-year-old was born in a militarycamp on Baekdu Mountain, his birthforetold by a swallow and heraldedby <strong>the</strong> appearance of a doublerainbow over <strong>the</strong> mountain and anew star in <strong>the</strong> heavens. Accordingto Soviet records, however, he wasborn in a Siberian village.In addition to his celestialendorsement, Kim is a three-timeelected member of <strong>the</strong> country’srubber-stamp parliament. Thecountry goes to <strong>the</strong> poll once everyfive years and <strong>the</strong>re is one candidateper seat; turnout in 2003 was99.9%.Kim is said to have a fear of flying;his state visits to Russia and Chinahave been made by armoured train.Only once is his voice thoughtto have been broadcast: in 1992,during a military parade, he told <strong>the</strong>crowd: “Glory to <strong>the</strong> heroic soldiersof <strong>the</strong> People’s Army!”While many have portrayed himas a clownish and eccentric figure —an image no doubt reinforced by hischaracterisation in Team America:World Police — o<strong>the</strong>rs say he issmart and even witty. Shin Sangok— a South Korean film directorwho was kidnapped with his actorwife in 1978 so that he could builda North Korean film industry — hasdescribed a man naive in some waysbut shrewd in o<strong>the</strong>rs. He said Kim,a huge film buff, tended to regardRambo and James Bond films asrecords of reality. Yet at one party,when band members rapturouslyapplauded <strong>the</strong>ir leader, Kim turnedto Shin and told him: “That’s allfake.”His former sushi chef describeda man with a violent temper and alove for large quantities of HennessyVSOP cognac. Banquets used tolast up to four days; his PleasureBrigade, handpicked young women,provided <strong>the</strong> entertainment,sometimes ordered to dance naked.And that’s about it. Although,according to North Korean media,Kim’s accomplishments are legion.His official biography says he hascomposed six operas and accordingto <strong>the</strong> South Korean news agencyYonhap, he has described himself asan Internet expert.He is thought to have finallyannointed <strong>the</strong> youngest of his threesons Kim Jong-un as his heir and“Brilliant Comrade”, followinghis reported stroke last year. Evenless is known about this leaderin-waiting.Educated in Bern,Switzerland, <strong>the</strong> 25-year-old is saidto be a basketball fan. His formerclassmates say he also spoke highlyof Jean-Claude Van Damme.The Dear Leader’s eldest son,Kim Jong-nam, is believed to havefallen from favour after Japaneseauthorities caught him tryingto enter <strong>the</strong>ir country on a fakepassport in 2001, apparentlyseeking to visit Tokyo Disneyland.But most analysts suggestthat whoever takes over will beessentially a figurehead or arbitratorra<strong>the</strong>r than a sole ruler. Theysuggest <strong>the</strong> elite is composed ofthree broad interest groups ra<strong>the</strong>rthan factions — <strong>the</strong> Kim family,<strong>the</strong> military and o<strong>the</strong>r officials— who know that <strong>the</strong>ir fates areintertwined and who all wish tomaintain <strong>the</strong> status quo.The Democratic People’s Republicof Korea was formally established in1948. Korea had been divided at <strong>the</strong>38th parallel following <strong>the</strong> defeatof its occupier Japan in World WarII; <strong>the</strong> Soviet Union administered<strong>the</strong> North and <strong>the</strong> US <strong>the</strong> South.When <strong>the</strong>y were unable to reach adeal, separate governments wereestablished — both maintaining<strong>the</strong>y were <strong>the</strong> legitimate rulers of<strong>the</strong> whole peninsula. Kim Il-sung,an anti-Japanese resistance fighter,took <strong>the</strong> reins in <strong>the</strong> North.In 1950, following a series ofclashes along <strong>the</strong> border zone,<strong>the</strong> North invaded <strong>the</strong> South with<strong>the</strong> approval of <strong>the</strong> Soviet Union,but only limited military support.Despite initial successes, UN forcesled by <strong>the</strong> US pushed <strong>the</strong> troopsback and captured Pyongyang.China’s entry into <strong>the</strong> war led toa bloody stalemate; around 2.5mnpeople are believed to have died. Aceasefire was eventually agreed in1953, but a peace treaty has neverbeen signed and <strong>the</strong> DemilitarisedZone is one of <strong>the</strong> most heavilymilitarised places in <strong>the</strong> world.Relations with <strong>the</strong> Soviet Uniondeteriorated rapidly in <strong>the</strong> 60s,leaving <strong>the</strong> country more relianton China, but Kim developed anideology known as juche or selfreliance— as well as a personalitycult — which thrives to this dayunder his son.Football is extremely popular and<strong>the</strong> national team has just qualifiedfor <strong>the</strong> World Cup, for <strong>the</strong> first timesince 1966.They will be hoping to surpassthat notable event; to muchsurprise, that team beat Italy 1-0 ata match in Middlesbrough, gaininga spot in <strong>the</strong> quarter-finals where<strong>the</strong>y lost to Portugal. North Koreansalso like volleyball and <strong>the</strong>re’s aflying-saucer shaped baseballstadium in Pyongyang.O<strong>the</strong>r landmarks include<strong>the</strong> 105-floor pyramid-shapedRyugyong Hotel, which has beenunder construction since 1987,several revolving restaurants andtwo huge boulevards — 110mwide — in <strong>the</strong> city. Crossroads areoverseen by female traffic police,reportedly hand-picked by KimJong-il for <strong>the</strong>ir beauty — althoughmen manage <strong>the</strong> roundabouts.Traffic lights are in place, but rarelyused.Pyongyang’s eight cinemas aresaid to be frequently closed dueto lack of power; when open, <strong>the</strong>yscreen domestic propaganda movieswith inspiring titles such as The Fateof a Self-Defence Corps Man.The state news agency KCNAruns a curious combination of briefnews items such as its coverage ofClinton’s visit, angry denunciationsof <strong>the</strong> treachery of “puppetauthorities” in South Korea andlong tales of <strong>the</strong> leadership’s care forordinary people.In <strong>the</strong> 60s, North Korea wasone of <strong>the</strong> most industrialised ofEast Asian nations. But <strong>the</strong>re is noclearer way to see its stagnationthan to compare it to its neighbour,China — once a poor relation, nowa capitalist powerhouse. Traveldown <strong>the</strong> river which marks <strong>the</strong> twocountries’ border and <strong>the</strong> disparityis striking. On one side, neon blazesat night; on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>re isalmost complete darkness.“The scarcity of cars, <strong>the</strong> earlynights, <strong>the</strong> almost total absence ofentertainment places, combinedwith <strong>the</strong> electricity shortages,means that by midnight Pyongyangis effectively a ghost city until six<strong>the</strong> next morning,” writes PaulFrench in his book North Korea: TheParanoid Peninsula. Only aroundhalf of households have bicycles,leaving most to walk to work.From 2002, <strong>the</strong> country hasexperimented with economicreforms, such as opening markets— although stock is usually verylimited. Although Chinese goodsare now available, most productsare unique to North Korea — suchas Vinalon, a widely used syn<strong>the</strong>tictextile made from limestone.But many analysts suggest that<strong>the</strong> North has now virtually givenup on such reforms. And in May, astensions on <strong>the</strong> peninsula escalated,it announced that it was tearing up<strong>the</strong> contracts for <strong>the</strong> Kaesong jointindustrial complex it establishedwith <strong>the</strong> South — a rare sourceof much-needed income, whichemployed 30,000 North Koreans.In <strong>the</strong> countryside, <strong>the</strong> situationis more pressing than in <strong>the</strong> towns.A crippling famine in <strong>the</strong> mid-1990s killed hundreds of thousandsof people and although <strong>the</strong> situationhas improved, <strong>the</strong> country remainshighly dependent on food aid — <strong>the</strong>World Food Programme estimatesthat 8.7mn of its 23mn inhabitantsneed assistance. The range of fooditems is extremely limited and meat*is a luxury.North Korea has a long history oftense relations with o<strong>the</strong>r regionalpowers and <strong>the</strong> West — particularlysince it began its nuclearprogramme. China is regardedas almost its sole ally; even so,relations are fraught, based as muchas anything on China’s fear that<strong>the</strong> collapse of <strong>the</strong> current regimecould lead to a flood of refugees andgrowing US influence on its border.Although North Korea is thoughtto have begun seeking nuclearweapons as early as <strong>the</strong> 60s, becauseit feared attack, <strong>the</strong> issue first beganmaking waves in 1993, when it saidthat it planned to withdraw from<strong>the</strong> Nuclear Non-ProliferationTreaty and refused to allowinspectors access to its nuclearsites. As relations deteriorated, <strong>the</strong>US braced itself for war — avertedwhen a visit by Jimmy Carter helpedto pave <strong>the</strong> way for a breakthroughdeal.Despite ups and downs in <strong>the</strong>relationship, Madeleine Albright— <strong>the</strong>n secretary of state — visitedPyongyang in 2000 and an armscontrol treaty was agreed. With<strong>the</strong> arrival of George Bush — whodeemed <strong>the</strong> North <strong>the</strong> thirdmember of <strong>the</strong> “axis of evil”,alongside Iraq and Iran — all betswere off. In 2006 <strong>the</strong> North’s firstnuclear test brought internationalcondemnation. But not longafterwards, six-party aid fordisarmament talks began.Those hit a wall last year afterWashington and Pyongyang clashedover how to verify disagreement.Tensions were also rising on <strong>the</strong>peninsula thanks to <strong>the</strong> South’selection of Lee Myung-bak, whoended his predecessor’s “sunshinepolicy” of free-flowing aid.Since <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> North hasratcheted up its rhetoric, testedano<strong>the</strong>r nuclear device andlaunched a Taepodong 2 longrangerocket. Though <strong>the</strong> rocketflew ra<strong>the</strong>r fur<strong>the</strong>r than on itsfirst test three years ago, when itdisintegrated within seconds, it wasfar from successful.On <strong>the</strong> plus side, most expertsregarded its escalating actions thisyear as a bid for attention fromBarack Obama’s administration— a bid that appears to have beensuccessful, given Bill Clinton’s visit.While primarily concerned with<strong>the</strong> fate of <strong>the</strong> two US reporters,and billed by <strong>the</strong> White House as“solely private”, analysts believe itwill in time lead to renewed talks. —Guardian News & MediaNorth Korea’s late leader Kim Il-sung (right) and current leader Kim Jong-ilchat in front of a new farming machine in Pyongyang in this August 1982photo.


Page 8 • time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 • Page 9Super MoviesAmerica PlusBBC PrimeCinema CityMGMDisney ChannelFun ChannelHollywood0555 A Scanner Darkly0740 Sleepwalking AkaFerris Wheel0925 Harry Potter & TheOrder Of The Phoenix1145 Taking Chance1310 The Hide Out1500 Scooby-doo! And TheLochness Monster1630 Us Top 10 2009-20101700 King’s Ransom1900 Stiletto2100 The Comebacks2245 Brideshead Revisited0100 Texas ChainsawMassacre TheBeginning0500 In Plain Sight (101-112)0600 Good Morning America2006 Amp Repeat0700 Beauty And The GeekSeason 1 (101-107)0800 One Tree Hill0900 All My Children1000 24 Season 2 (201-224)1100 Law & Order Season 16(1601-1622)1200 All My Children1300 In Plain Sight (101-112)1400 Good Morning America2006 Amp1600 One Tree Hill1700 Law & Order Season 16(1601-1622)1800 In Plain Sight (101-112)1900 One Tree Hill2000 Er2100 Burn Notice Season 2(201-216)2200 In Treatment Season 2(201-235)2230 In Treatment Season 2(201-235)2300 Without A Trace0000 Er0100 Burn Notice Season 2(201-216)0200 Trading SpousesSeason 2 (201-218)0300 24 Season 2 (201-224)0400 Law & Order Season 16(1601-1622)0520 Doctors0550 Doctors0620 Teletubbies0645 Little Robots0655 Balamory0715 Tommy Zoom0725 Tikkabilla0755 Teletubbies0820 Little Robots0830 Balamory0850 Tommy Zoom0900 Tikkabilla0930 Bargain Hunt1015 Amazon Abyss1045 Amazon Abyss1115 Child Of Our Time20061215 The Weakest Link1300 Eastenders1330 Doctors1400 Bargain Hunt1445 Cash In The Attic1515 Antiques Roadshow1615 The Weakest Link1700 Doctors1730 Cash In The Attic1800 Waterloo Road1900 Antiques Roadshow2000 The Weakest Link2045 Doctors2115 Eastenders2145 Holby Blue2245 Holby City2345 Holby City0045 Child Of Our Time20060115 Amazon Abyss0145 Amazon Abyss0235 Holby City0335 Holby City0435 Child Of Our Time20060500 Last Request0635 Us Top 10 2009-20100700 Unspoken Love0830 Us Top 10 2009-20100900 The Neighbor1055 Brazil1320 Millions1500 Special1630 Us Top 10 2009-20101700 Max1900 Little Girl Lost2100 Moon And Stars, The2300 Poker Run0100 Taxi DriverStar Movies0615 Firehouse Dog0810 Glory Road1005 Blind Dating1145 Music Of The Heart1345 Birthday Girl1515 At First Sight1720 The Wives He Forgot1850 Neverwas2030 Sandlot2220 Sandlot Heading Home2355 Blind Dating0135 Glory Road0335 At First SightWar: Generals At War takes a fresh approach to <strong>the</strong> great battles of World War II, examining <strong>the</strong>m through <strong>the</strong> decisions, dilemmas anddisasters of <strong>the</strong> generals on both sides. In 1941, <strong>the</strong> British totally underestimate <strong>the</strong> fighting ability of <strong>the</strong> Japanese — until Japan launches asurprise attack on Singapore, a tiny jewel in <strong>the</strong> Crown of <strong>the</strong> British Empire. On National Geographic Channel today.0510 Wisdom (1986)0800 Hawks (1989)0950 Man In The Moon (1991)1130 Pascali’s Island (1988)1315 Prancer (1989)1455 The Trip (1967)1615 Great Balls Of Fire(1989)1800 Nobody’s Fool (1986)1945 Far North (1988)2115 Hennessy (1975)2300 Barely Legal (2005)0030 Assassination Tango(2003)0225 Knightriders (1981)0425 Roadhouse 66 (1984)0510 Wizards Of WaverlyPlace0535 Suite Life On Deck0600 My Friends Tigger AndPooh0625 Mickey MouseClubhouse0645 Little Einsteins0710 Handy Manny0720 Special Agent Oso0735 Mickey MouseClubhouse0800 Replacements0820 Fairly Odd Parents0845 Phineas & Ferb0900 Phineas And Ferb0925 I Got A Rocket0935 Hannah Montana1000 Princess ProtectionProgramme1125 House Of Mouse1145 Tarzan1210 Lilo And Stitch1235 Recess1255 American Dragon1320 Kim Possible1340 Famous Five1405 Fairly Odd Parents1515 American Dragon1600 Hannah Montana1710 The Suite Life Of ZackAnd Cody1800 Wizards Of WaverlyPlace1900 Brandy And MrWhiskers2010 Hannah Montana2105 Cory In The House2200 Tarzan2310 American Dragon0020 Fairly Odd Parents0110 Replacements0200 Kim Possible0305 Little Einsteins0420 Replacements0515 Captain Flamingo0525 Captain Flamingo0600 Jin Jin And The PandaPatrol0625 Diplodos0650 Princess Sissi0715 Bad Dog0740 Captain Flamingo0750 Captain Flamingo0805 Peter Pan And ThePirates0830 Wunschpunsch0855 Walter Melon0920 Gadget And TheGadgetinis0945 Spydogs1010 Life With Louie1030 Kids From Room 4021055 The Tofus1120 Captain Flamingo1130 Captain Flamingo1140 Gadget And TheGadgetinis1205 Eek!stravaganza1230 Princess Sissi1255 Wunschpunsch1320 Little Wizards1410 Walter Melon1500 Life With Louie1610 Walter Melon1700 Gadget And TheGadgetinis1815 Wunschpunsch1900 Kids From Room 4022010 Gadget And TheGadgetinis2115 Wunschpunsch2200 The Tofus2300 Walter Melon0015 Eek’stravaganza0105 Wunschpunsch0215 The Tofus0300 Gadget And TheGadgetinis0405 Wunschpunsch0520 Latin Funk WorkoutWith Gustavo Ferman0545 In Dreams0610 African Workout WithMaobong Oku0635 Art And Soul0700 Caribbean Work Out0725 Breathing Space Yoga0750 Pulse Yoga0815 African Workout WithMaobong Oku0840 Saturday Kitchen0905 Sizzle0930 My Parent’s House S31000 Divine Design1025 Divine Design1050 Diva On A Dime S2 Pt21115 Retail Therapy1140 Saturday Kitchen1210 Place In The Sun -Series 5, A1300 Making It Big1350 Retail Therapy1415 Cook’s Tour, A1510 Diva On A Dime S2 Pt11600 Arresting Design/Series 11720 Maxed Out S3 121810 Real Weddings FromThe Knot 11900 Place In The Sun -Series 5, A2045 10 Years Younger NewZealand2110 Maxed Out S3 112200 Diva On A Dime S2 Pt12345 Beyond Stardom -Series 1 - Part 10010 Maxed Out S10105 Arresting Design/Series 10220 Girly Ghosthunters0310 Place In The Sun -Series 5, A0405 Retail TherapyOrbit News0500 Nbc Meet The Press0600 Nbc Nightly News0630 Abc World News0700 Nbc Nightly News0730 Abc World News0800 Abc This Week0900 Abc World News0930 Nbc Nightly News1000 Abc World News NowLive1030 Abc World News NowLive1100 Abc World News NowLive1130 Nbc Early Today Live1200 Abc America ThisMorning Live1230 Abc America ThisMorning Live1300 Abc America ThisMorning Live1330 Nbc Early Today1400 Nbc The Today ShowLive1800 Abc News Now1830 Abc News Now1900 Msnbc Dr.Nancy Live2000 Msnbc Andrea MitchellReports Live2100 Nbc Meet The Press2200 Abc This Week2259 Abc News Now (Live)2330 Abc News Now0000 Abc News Now (AsLive)0030 Abc News Now0100 Pbs Mclaughlin Group0130 Abc World News Live20090200 Nbc Nightly News Live0230 Abc World NewsSky News0630 Cbs News0700 Sky World News0730 Sky World Review &Business Report0800 Sky World News0830 Sky World Review &Business Report0900 Sunrise With EamonnHolmes1200 The Live Desk1300 Sky Today With DermotMurnaghan1600 Live At One With ColinBrazier1700 Afternoon Live2000 Live At Five WithJeremy Thompson2100 Live At Five WithJeremy Thompson2200 Sky.Com News2230 Jeff Randall Live2300 News, Sport, Wea<strong>the</strong>r0000 News, Sport, Wea<strong>the</strong>r0100 Sky News At Ten0200 Sky News Tonight0300 Sky Midnight News0330 Cbs News0400 News On The HourDiscovery Ch0510 Eyewitness0540 Eyewitness0605 Nextworld0700 Extreme Engineering0755 Chop Shop0850 Overhaulin’0945 Time Warp1010 Mythbusters1105 Ultimate Survival1200 Destroyed In Seconds1230 Shocking SurvivalVideos1255 Time Warp1325 How It’s Made1350 Wheeler Dealers1415 American Chopper1510 Miami Ink1605 Mythbusters1700 Deadliest Catch1800 Destroyed In Seconds1830 Shocking SurvivalVideos1900 Overhaulin’2000 How It’s Made2030 How It’s Made2100 Ultimate Survival2200 Black Gold2300 Deadliest Catch0000 Destroyed In Seconds0030 Shocking SurvivalVideos0100 Miami Ink0200 Overhaulin’0255 American Chopper0350 Chop Shop0445 MythbustersAnimal Planet0540 Animal Cops SouthAfrica0635 Wildlife Sos0700 Pet Rescue0730 Pet Rescue0800 Corwin’s Quest0900 Monkey Business0930 Monkey Business1000 Animal CopsHouston1100 The CrocodileHunter Diaries1200 The Planet’sFunniest Animals1230 Dolphin Days1300 Air Jaws 21400 Animal Precinct1500 Crocodile Hunter1600 Jockeys1630 Jockeys1700 Wildlife Sos1730 E-vets The Interns1800 Animal Cops SouthAfrica1900 Aussie AnimalRescue1930 Animal Crackers2000 Meerkat Manor2030 Monkey Life2100 Air Jaws 22200 Incredible JourneysWith Steve Leonard2300 Animal CopsHouston0000 Animal Cops SouthAfrica0100 E-vets The Interns0130 Animal Crackers0200 Meerkat Manor0230 Monkey Life0255 Air Jaws 20350 Incredible JourneysWith Steve Leonard0445 Animal CopsHoustonExtreme Sports0500 Drop In Tv0600 Disposable Hero - TheBrian Deegan Story0700 10 Count0800 Nissan Uci MountainBike World Cup0900 Winter X Games 121000 Ride Guide Snow 20081100 10 Count1230 Uci Nissan MountainBike World Cup 20081300 Fia Drag RacingChamps 20061400 Ride Guide Snow 20081500 10 Count1600 Uci Nissan MountainBike World Cup 20081700 Winter X Games 131800 Fim World MotocrossChampionships 20081900 Fia Drag RacingChamps 20061930 Fia Drag RacingChamps 20062000 Uci Nissan MountainBike World Cup 20082030 Uci Nissan MountainBike World Cup 20082100 Ride Guide Snow 20082130 Ride Guide Snow 20082200 Fim World MotocrossChampionships 20082300 Cage Rage Archive0000 Winter X Games 130100 Fim World MotocrossChampionships 20080200 Fim World MotocrossChampionships 20080300 Ride Guide Snow 20080330 Ride Guide Snow 20080400 Fia Drag RacingChamps 20060430 Fia Drag RacingChamps 2006CNN International0500 Talkasia0530 My City_My Life0545 The Screening RoomXtra0600 <strong>Inside</strong> The Middle East0630 World Sport0700 Cnn Today0930 World Sport1000 Cnn Today1030 World Business Today1100 World News1130 World Report1200 Larry King1300 World News1330 World Sport1400 World News Asia1530 I Report For Cnn1600 World Business Today1700 Your World Today1800 The Brief1830 World Sport1900 International Desk2000 World News2030 I Report For Cnn2100 Quest Means Business2200 International Desk2300 Connect The WorldWith Becky Anderson0000 Backstory0030 World Sport0100 The Situation Room0200 Cnn TodayCartoon Network0520 Chowder0545 Eliot Kid0610 Chop Socky Chooks0635 Skunk Fu0700 Codename Kids NextDoor0725 Chowder0750 Squirrel Boy0800 MarvelousMisadventures OfFlapjack,The1120 Robotboy1145 Foster’s Home ForImaginary Friends1210 Eliot Kid1235 Ben 101300 My Spy Family1325 The Powerpuff Girls1350 Camp Lazlo1415 Squirrelboy1440 The Life & Times OfJuniper Lee1505 Ed Edd ‘n’ Eddy1535 My Gym Partner’s AMonkey1600 George Of The Jungle1625 Best Ed1650 MarvelousMisadventures OfFlapjack,The1715 Skunk Fu1805 The Secret Saturdays1900 Star Wars The CloneWars2005 Camp Lazlo2110 Ben 102200 Atomic Betty2315 Out Of Jimmy’s Head0005 Foster’s Home ForImaginary Friends0120 Adrenalini Bro<strong>the</strong>rs0210 Squirrel Boy0300 The Powerpuff Girls0405 My Gym Partner’s AMonkeyDiscovery Science0520 Nextworld0610 The World’s StrangestUfo Stories0700 Science Of Star Wars0755 Beyond Tomorrow0845 Extreme MachinesArmoured Cars0935 Kings Of Construction1030 Mega World1120 Mega World1215 Mega World1305 Mega World1355 Mega World1445 Mega World1540 Mega World1630 Brainiac1725 Mythbusters1820 Kings Of Construction1915 Future Weapons2010 How It’s Made2035 How It’s Made2105 Mythbusters2200 Kings Of Construction2255 Future Weapons2350 Mega Builders0045 Junkyard Mega-wars0140 Nasa’s GreatestMissions0235 Beyond Tomorrow0330 What’s That About?0425 Weird Connections0450 One Step BeyondMBC 40530 Medium0615 Gameat al Moshghbeen0700 Cuts0730 CBS-Evenning News0800 The <strong>Inside</strong>r0830 The Oprah WinfreyShow0915 CBS - 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Page 10 • time out • Monday, August 10, 2009Star PlusStar WorldChannel VOn <strong>the</strong> radio0500 Mitwa - Phool KamalKe0530 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat0600 Kis Desh Mein HaiMeraa Dil0630 Bidaai0700 Yeh Rishta KyaKehlata Hai0730 Sabki Laadli Bebo0800 Mitwa - Phool KamalKe0830 Aap Ki Kachehri0900 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai0930 Bidaai1000 Yeh Rishta KyaKehlata Hai1030 Tujh Sang PreetLagayi Sajna1100 Hamari Devrani1130 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat1200 Kis Desh Mein HaiMeraa Dil1230 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai1300 Bidaai1330 Yeh Rishta KyaKehlata Hai1400 Sabki Laadli Bebo1430 Mitwa - Phool KamalKe1500 Aap Ki Kachehri1530 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai1600 Hamari Devrani1630 Khelo Jeeto Jiyo1700 Mitwa - Phool KamalKe1730 Aap Ki Kachehri1800 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai1830 Bidaai1900 Yeh Rishta KyaKehlata Hai1930 Sabki Laadli Bebo2000 Sach Ka Saamna2030 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai2100 Yeh Rishta KyaKehlata Hai2130 Sach Ka Saamna2200 Aap Ki Kachehri2230 Hamari Devrani2300 Bidaai2330 Sach Ka Saamna0000 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat0030 Sach Ka 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time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 • Page 11Resident fameMilla Jovovich talks marriages, modelling and zombie-butt kicking with Tom ShoneMilla Jovovich’s hands haveinflicted a lot of damage.They have twisted <strong>the</strong>heads off zombies andbroken <strong>the</strong> necks of mutantdogs. She has impaled and gored <strong>the</strong>invading hordes of Englishmen. She haswielded so many swords and machetes,pistols and shotguns in her movies,that now when she returns to <strong>the</strong> worldof L’Oreal cosmetics commercials, <strong>the</strong>directors have to use a hand model. Saving<strong>the</strong> world is all very well, but it completelybuggers up your skincare regime.“See?” she says, bunching a fist. “Theknuckles? They’re all cut up. They used tobe really soft, but <strong>the</strong>y can’t use <strong>the</strong>m anymore. They use someone else’s.”On her right hand is a big diamondengagement ring: a few weeks ago, she andher long-term fiancee, Paul Anderson,decided to get hitched. Her director on<strong>the</strong> highly lucrative Resident Evil films,Anderson is a Brit, from Newcastle “mynor<strong>the</strong>rn b******” she calls him and also<strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r of her 21-month-old daughter,Ever.“We’ve been toge<strong>the</strong>r for a long time,eight years,” she says in a sleepy LA drawl,with just a hint of her native Ukraine.“We’ve talked about marriage a few times,but we were pretty easy about <strong>the</strong> wholething.”So what decided it? “Having a baby,” shesays, matter of factly. “That pretty muchdecided it. So we don’t have a little b******running around.” She laughs; a low, duskylaugh. Across <strong>the</strong> room, a man looks uplike a startled deer, sees Jovovich and looksquickly back to his female companion. It isa humid day and we are in <strong>the</strong> conservatoryof <strong>the</strong> Bowery hotel in New York, whichlooks out on to a dense green garden.Jovovich lounges on one of <strong>the</strong> wickersofas, her legs bunched up beneath her,wearing one of <strong>the</strong> shortest skirt I haveever seen. So short that, for fear of beingthought to ogle, I am forced to maintainnon-stop eye contact, chin perpendicularto my chest, as if I’m waiting for a medal.Jovovich is in town to promote her latestmovie, A Perfect Getaway, in which she andSteve Zahn play a couple honeymooningin Hawaii who are terrorised by someonetargeting newlyweds.It’s sort of a Scream for honeymooners,and nothing to write home about. Jovovichsays all <strong>the</strong> right things about how greatit was to work with Zahn, how nice itwas to be able to reveal a different side ofherself onscreen, etc but seems a littlebored. When I ask her about her daughter,however, she perks right up.“There’s no mystery to who I am anymore,” she says. “You know, you gothrough your whole life looking for anidentity and <strong>the</strong>n you become a mo<strong>the</strong>rand you’re like: ‘Oh I’m a mom.’ Sono matter what, that’s what I am. Ifeverything else fades, I’m, still a mom.The acting, <strong>the</strong> modelling, <strong>the</strong> career I’dgive it all up tomorrow for her. Everythingelse is secondary, which makes it all <strong>the</strong>more enjoyable, because it’s not like <strong>the</strong>be-all-and-end-all, its more like: oh,cool. A movie in Puerto Rico? That soundsfun. Get me out of <strong>the</strong> house for a littlebit. Maybe I can go to New York for a fewdays and get some sleep.” You’ve beenusing your promotional tour to catch up onsleep? “It’s <strong>the</strong> only time I don’t get wokenup with ‘mama!’ all <strong>the</strong> time. I mean youcan try ignoring it, but it’s just impossible.”One of <strong>the</strong> best things aboutJovovich has always been her cheerfulunpretentiousness. Which o<strong>the</strong>r actresscan you name who has played both Joanof Arc and a genetically modified vampireand seemed to get more of a kick out of <strong>the</strong>vampire? She has been <strong>the</strong> face of L’Orealfor over a decade and also appeared on <strong>the</strong>cover of High Times magazine, espousing<strong>the</strong> cause of pot smoking.She believes all models should bemartial arts experts. She smokes. Shecusses. She once eloped with a boyfriendto Las Vegas. In short, if Milla Jovovich didnot exist, <strong>the</strong> collective unconscious of <strong>the</strong>world geek population would be forced toinvent her although, as she points out, inJapan <strong>the</strong> Resident Evil series, in which sherepeatedly saves <strong>the</strong> world in a skimpy reddress, are a big hit with <strong>the</strong> girls, not <strong>the</strong>boys “It’s a big empowerment movie for<strong>the</strong>m.”She’s fun company, but beneath <strong>the</strong>LA-girl artlessness runs deep reserves ofimmigrant moxie. Though just 33, she haswhat she calls “a 45-year-old’s career”.Her parents emigrated from <strong>the</strong> USSRin 1981 when she was five, swapping <strong>the</strong>grey skies and concrete of downtown Kievfor <strong>the</strong> sunshine and palm trees of LosAngeles. “My fa<strong>the</strong>r used to tell me: ‘Youand I are going to work really hard and haveeverything we ever wanted; we’re goingto have a big house and a swimming pool.’It was a very kind of early 19th-centuryview you know, come to America and makeenough money to bring <strong>the</strong> family over. Weall worked.”In fact <strong>the</strong> closest her mo<strong>the</strong>r got to aswimming pool was <strong>the</strong> one that belongedto Brian De Palma, on Mulhullond Drive,where she got work as a cleaner. Herfa<strong>the</strong>r, a doctor, was later incarcerated fora health-insurance scam. The only realearner was Jovovich, who at 11 got her firstmodelling work; by 13 she had finished herfirst feature film, and landed <strong>the</strong> lead inReturn to <strong>the</strong> Blue Lagoon.During <strong>the</strong> shooting of this latter filmshe had to part her long tresses, look downat her breasts and smile — something noactress in <strong>the</strong> history of cinema has everbeen able to pull off.“I was no Dakota Fanning,” she says,laughing. “What are you going to do?I was one of those annoying childactresses. I didn’t know who I was. SoI didn’t know how to be anything else.Listen, <strong>the</strong>re are some people that areborn with talent. I’m not one of thosepeople. I definitely had to work.“My mom, she was a natural talent,at <strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> class at film school.But she always used to tell me about alot of people with natural talent by <strong>the</strong>time <strong>the</strong>y graduated? They were ei<strong>the</strong>ralcoholics or drug addicts. Disappearedsomewhere. Because <strong>the</strong>y have noappreciation, no discipline; whereas <strong>the</strong>kids that weren’t <strong>the</strong> best actors in <strong>the</strong>beginning had to fight so hard to do it,and manifest it through hard work.”The well-rehearsed story of Jovovich’scareer has it that she was rescued from <strong>the</strong>B-list by French director Luc Besson, whocast her as an astral superwaif in his sci-fispectacular The Fifth Element. “It was oneof <strong>the</strong> biggest turning points in my life,”she says. “I met my first husband. I grew asan actress. I was working non-stop to givehim what he wanted.” The 39-year-olddirector and 22-year-old actress were soonmarried and went on to make Joan of Arc,one of those husband-and-wife follies thatcome along every decade or so: a triumphof production design over direction, withmore care taken over Besson’s dizzyingsets than <strong>the</strong> performers marooned within<strong>the</strong>m.But <strong>the</strong>se days one is tempted to say thatshe was rescued from <strong>the</strong> empty eleganceof <strong>the</strong> French arthouse by a movie basedon a video game. “Resident Evil started outas this fun project,” she says. “I went in forit as a joke. ‘Sure, I’ll go make an actionmovie,’ I thought, ‘This’ll be cool, becausemy bro<strong>the</strong>r loves <strong>the</strong> video game so much.’It’s turned into a steady job.”The story of how she and Andersonbroke <strong>the</strong> ice has none of <strong>the</strong> creepypygmalionism of her marriage to Besson.She took <strong>the</strong> role, <strong>the</strong>n read what he’d doneto <strong>the</strong> script. “It was horrifying,” she says.“They’d brought in <strong>the</strong> Michelle Rodriguezcharacter and given her all <strong>the</strong> kick-assaction scenes. I was already on a plane toGermany when I read it.”She got off <strong>the</strong> plane and marchedstraight to his hotel room. “I’m leavingtomorrow,” she announced. “This scriptisn’t <strong>the</strong> script I read. If you think I’mgoing to be in this, you’re crazy. I’m on aplane in an hour.” They spent four hoursgoing over <strong>the</strong> script toge<strong>the</strong>r, line byline, giving her back <strong>the</strong> scene where sheruns up a wall, scissor-kicks <strong>the</strong> mutantdog, and breaks <strong>the</strong> neck of <strong>the</strong> zombieby crushing his head between her thighs.“And that was how we met,” she says,smiling.“How did it work with <strong>the</strong> sequels? Didhe roll over in bed one morning and say:‘Darling, I’m very sorry but in <strong>the</strong> secondfilm you are going to catch <strong>the</strong> zombievirus.’” She laughs. “We had to work on<strong>the</strong> science of that one. I had <strong>the</strong> virus butI also had to look hot. So we had to comeup with this explanation: <strong>the</strong> virus wasmutating. I had bonded with it.” You can’tignore <strong>the</strong> internal logic. She shakes herhead. “No you can’t. I try to make it ascool as that genre can be, give <strong>the</strong> audiencewhat <strong>the</strong>y want. We are <strong>the</strong> audience forthat movie, too. Because it’s such a part ofour lives.”This autumn she heads off to shoot afourth film in <strong>the</strong> series, Resident Evil:Afterlife. She also has a film with De Nirolined up. And <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re’s her wedding, ofcourse. It’ll be a cosy affair, at <strong>the</strong>ir housein LA, possibly conducted by a RussianOrthodox priest. “We only decided abouttwo weeks ago to really do it,” she says.“And now we have three weeks to get it alltoge<strong>the</strong>r. I’ve got to finish <strong>the</strong> press for thisfilm, get married, <strong>the</strong>n I’m off to Toronto tokick some zombie butt.”Just be careful with those hands. —Guardian News & Media


Page 12 • time out • Monday, August 10, 2009art & culture*Exhibits from <strong>the</strong> Bauhaus, a Conceptual Model exhibition in Berlin, including <strong>the</strong> Wassily Chair (below left) and Swiss artist Johannes Itten’s Tower of Fire(below centre and right).Bauhaus art is backwith a bang in BerlinGermany’s famed Bauhaus movement, known for revolutionisingdesign, art and architecture and confined to obscurity by <strong>the</strong> Nazis, isdrawing huge crowds once again. By Francois BeckerNinety years after itbegan revolutionisingdesign, art andarchitecture and sixdecades after <strong>the</strong>Nazis banned it, Germany’s famedBauhaus movement is luring hugecrowds to a new show in Berlin.With prized pieces on loan fromNew York’s Museum of ModernArt, <strong>the</strong> avant-garde movement’sbiggest-ever exhibition, Bauhaus— A Conceptual Model, showcases<strong>the</strong> famed school and its hugeimpact on modern aes<strong>the</strong>tics.Since its opening last month, <strong>the</strong>anxiously-awaited show has drawnmore than 20,000 people — “alittle more than we expected”, oneof <strong>the</strong> exhibition’s organisers, KlausBoesl, said.The Bauhaus legacy can beseen in everything from <strong>the</strong> UNheadquarters building in New Yorkto mass-market Ikea tables, withclean lines and <strong>the</strong> marriage of <strong>the</strong>work of “artists and artisans” itssignature characteristics.The design school, which countsamong its disciples Russian artistWassily Kandinsky, regarded as <strong>the</strong>creator of abstract art, and Swisssurrealist Paul Klee, had at its core<strong>the</strong> idea of making art accessible toall social classes.Its idealism was rooted in <strong>the</strong>modernist ideology of Germanybetween <strong>the</strong> wars, and aimed toremake not just <strong>the</strong> face of design.The movement’s founder, WalterGropius, “did not want Bauhaus tobecome a style — it simply aimed tooffer an artistic direction, to enableart to be available to all,” said UlrikeBestgen of <strong>the</strong> Weimar ClassicsFoundation, one of <strong>the</strong> show’sorganisers. Faithful to <strong>the</strong> school’ssocialist ideology, Gropius “wanted<strong>the</strong> painter and <strong>the</strong> architectno longer to work for himselfbut within <strong>the</strong> wider artisticcommunity,” Bestgen added.The exhibition with 1,000objects charts <strong>the</strong> history of <strong>the</strong>movement from Gropius’ foundingof <strong>the</strong> school in 1919 in Weimar,250km southwest of Berlin, to <strong>the</strong>Nazi ban in 1933.Hitler persecuted <strong>the</strong> movementas “degenerate art” and closed<strong>the</strong> school which ironically onlyserved to propagate Bauhaus as itspractitioners fled Germany andspread around <strong>the</strong> globe, taking<strong>the</strong>ir ideas and designs with <strong>the</strong>m.Prime examples of itsarchitecture can be seen in <strong>the</strong>United States, Canada and Israel.Tel Aviv’s stunning collection ofBauhaus buildings was placed on<strong>the</strong> Unesco list of World HeritageSites in 2004.On a smaller scale, <strong>the</strong> iconicWassily chair designed by MarcelBreuer in 1926 is among <strong>the</strong> pieceson display in Berlin. The chair wasseen as revolutionary at <strong>the</strong> timefor its use of bent tubular steeland lea<strong>the</strong>r and is still a huge hit in<strong>the</strong> design world although it wasnot, as often thought, designed forKandinsky, explained Bestgen.“It was only in <strong>the</strong> 1980s, when<strong>the</strong> chair was being re-editedby o<strong>the</strong>r designers, that <strong>the</strong>ychristened it <strong>the</strong> Wassily Chair formarketing reasons,” she said.Kandinsky’s influence is evidentin ano<strong>the</strong>r popular exhibit — PeterKeler’s 1922 wooden crib — madefrom basic shapes such as triangles,discs and rectangles and painted inprimary colours.But fans will be disappointed if<strong>the</strong>y are hoping to view one of <strong>the</strong>movement’s most celebrated works— Oskar Schlemmer’s BauhausStaircase painting of 1932 — whichhas not left <strong>the</strong> Museum of ModernArt in New York (MoMA) as it is <strong>the</strong>object of an ownership dispute inGermany.Visitors will have to make dowith a copy. The 90th anniversaryof Bauhaus coincides with <strong>the</strong> 20thyear after <strong>the</strong> fall of <strong>the</strong> Berlin Wallwhich was a key factor in being ableto host <strong>the</strong> show, said Bestgen.Before German unification “itwould have been very difficult toorganise such an exhibition,” shesaid, as two of <strong>the</strong> key locations inBauhaus’ history — Weimar andDessau — were on <strong>the</strong> communistcontrolledside of <strong>the</strong> Iron Curtain.The exhibition will be hostedby Berlin’s Martin Gropius Baumuseum, named for Walter’s greatuncle,ano<strong>the</strong>r famed architect,until October. — AFP


time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 • Page 13Ghostly gifts for<strong>the</strong> dead couldbe a dying art inSingaporeBy Philip Lim*A fountain in front of <strong>the</strong> palace of Versailles, outside Paris. Various private donors are taking part in <strong>the</strong> palace’s ‘Adopt-a-Statue’ programmeto raise funds for restoration work at <strong>the</strong> 17th-century home of Louis XIV.Private donors help Versaillesrecover its lost splendourBy Pauline FroissartPhilippe Herve cringed at <strong>the</strong>sight of Asclepios, <strong>the</strong> Greek godof medicine, covered in grimein <strong>the</strong> magnificent gardens of<strong>the</strong> Chateau de Versailles anddecided he could help.A history buff and physician, Hervejoined <strong>the</strong> legions of private donors takingpart in <strong>the</strong> palace’s “Adopt-a-Statue”programme to raise funds for restorationwork at <strong>the</strong> 17th-century home of LouisXIV, <strong>the</strong> Sun King.“We just couldn’t let Asclepios stand<strong>the</strong>re covered in moss,” said Herve jokinglyabout his decision. “He’s <strong>the</strong> god ofmedicine and I figured I had to choosehim.”For <strong>the</strong> past four years, Versailles’directors have been seeking out generouspatrons willing to part with ¤3,000 to¤30,000 ($4,200 to $42,000) to helprestore one of <strong>the</strong> works on <strong>the</strong> majesticproperty.In private donations, ¤2mn have beenraised so far, giving 86 statues and vasesa new lease on life at Versailles, one ofFrance’s most visited tourist sites.After just a few months of work,Asclepios has lost his greyish complexionand was returned to his prime spot near <strong>the</strong>Grand Trianon, <strong>the</strong> king’s garden retreat.“He looks magnificent,” beamed Herve.“He stands proud with an intelligent gaze... I’m very pleased.”A world heritage site on <strong>the</strong> westernfringe of Paris, <strong>the</strong> Chateau de Versailleslaunched a vast, 20-year restorationprogramme in 2003 that draws heavilyon high-profile sponsorship from privatecompanies and individuals.Major restoration works completedso far include <strong>the</strong> Petit Trianon, MarieAntoinette’s pastoral hideaway on <strong>the</strong>palace grounds, <strong>the</strong> royal gate torn downduring <strong>the</strong> French Revolution and <strong>the</strong> Hallof Mirrors.Versailles’ directors had a successful firstexperience with public funding appealsin 1999 after a severe storm uprootedthousands of trees, many of which wererare species.With <strong>the</strong> “Adopt-a-Tree” scheme,10,000 new trees were planted throughprivate donations of ¤150 each.Last month, <strong>the</strong> “Adopt-a-Bench”scheme was announced to restore <strong>the</strong>grounds’ 170 benches, some of whichfeature intricate works of carved stone andmarble.Sponsors are asked to donate ¤3,800($5,300) in exchange for a small plaquebearing <strong>the</strong>ir name at <strong>the</strong> foot of <strong>the</strong> bench.With her contribution, Paris area lawyerCa<strong>the</strong>rine Posokhow allowed a statue ofApollo languishing near <strong>the</strong> Mirror Pool torecover a finger and part of its cape.A small plaque in recognition of hergenerosity has been laid at Apollo’s feet.“Of course it’s rewarding,” said Posokhowof her gesture.Part of <strong>the</strong> attraction of fundingrestoration work for her was <strong>the</strong> taxbreak as 66% of her donation was taxdeductible.“I have to pay taxes and this way, I knowwhere my money is going,” she said.Posokhow said <strong>the</strong> fund-raisingprogrammes were not drawing just wealthypatrons and that many works are beingrestored through a collection of smaller¤150 donations given to <strong>the</strong> Friends ofVersailles support group.“It’s for all sizes of pocketbooks,” shesaid.More than 3mn tourists visit Versailleseach year, admiring room-after-room offine chandeliers, priceless frescoes and goldleaf adornments.Louis XIII used Versailles as a huntinglodge long before his son expanded it in<strong>the</strong> late 17th century, moving <strong>the</strong> court andgovernment of France <strong>the</strong>re in 1682. — AFPWu Yuhua’s hands movedeffortlessly as she cut thinslips of paper and plastered<strong>the</strong>m onto a life-size bambooframe molded into <strong>the</strong> shapeof a woman.Around <strong>the</strong> 55-year-old artisan, intricatepaper models of Mercedes Benz saloons,maids carrying beverage trays and threestoreymansions were neatly arranged against<strong>the</strong> walls, awaiting delivery to customers.Wu is one of <strong>the</strong> owners of Nam CheongLimited, a family business that makescustomised paper effigies burnt as Taoistofferings to <strong>the</strong> dead in wealth-obsessedSingapore.“These effigies are meant for those whohave passed on, as gifts from <strong>the</strong> departed’sfamily to ensure <strong>the</strong> deceased can becomfortable in <strong>the</strong> afterlife,” explained Wu.According to a 2000 census, Buddhistsand Taoists constitute 53.5% of <strong>the</strong>predominantly ethnic-Chinese city-state’spopulation.The practice originated in Taoism, whosefollowers believe <strong>the</strong> paper objects, whenburnt, will transcend into <strong>the</strong> afterlife andprovide <strong>the</strong> same material comfort to <strong>the</strong>deceased as <strong>the</strong>y would in <strong>the</strong> real world.“This animism comes under <strong>the</strong> umbrellaof Taoism,” said Ronni Pinsler, a researcherwho has been studying Taoist beliefs andpractices for almost 40 years.“It stems from <strong>the</strong> origin of <strong>the</strong> generalhuman belief, <strong>the</strong> animistic belief of naturalforces,” he added.The practice is also evolving with <strong>the</strong>times, said Master Wei Yi, a priest in <strong>the</strong>Singapore Taoist Federation.“Paper cars and mansions surfaced onlyin <strong>the</strong> past decade. The items may vary andadvance along with technology. However, <strong>the</strong>fundamental idea has not changed,” he said.This has, however, posed a new challengeto effigy-maker Wu, who has been in <strong>the</strong>business since she was 15.“The hardest things to make are new,modern items like computers,” she said.Wu sells her wares in customisable“packages” similar in concept to restaurantmenus.A standard “set” including a mansion, amaid and a car (choose your own make) goesfor S$1,500($1,041).Customers who are willing to fork out morecan also order specific items to complement<strong>the</strong> packages, such as yachts and computersas well as more personalised items.“I made a bowling ball for a person whohad passed on. He was really into bowlingwhen he was alive so <strong>the</strong> ball was tocommemorate him through his hobby,” Wusaid.Wu fears <strong>the</strong> funeral-effigy industry mightbe a dying art in Singapore.“Now, no one wants to take up this job, itis slowly being phased out. Many people donot believe in <strong>the</strong> traditions any more,” shesaid wistfully.Wu also said that a migration of Taoistbelievers to Buddhism was ano<strong>the</strong>r factoraffecting <strong>the</strong> labour-intensive industry.However, researcher Pinsler believes <strong>the</strong>distinctions between Taoism and Buddhismhave been blurred amongst Chinesecommunities, and Taoist traditions havebecome part of Buddhist popular culture. —AFP


Page 14 • time out • Monday, August 10, 2009Globe Word - FitCan you fit <strong>the</strong> words from <strong>the</strong> list of place namescorrectly into <strong>the</strong> grid?comicsAdam4 lettersCHADCUBAIRAQLAOSLIMAOSLOPERUSUVATOGOUTAH5 lettersACCRAARUBAGHANALAGOSNIGERSPAINWALES6 lettersANKARAMADRIDSERBIASWEDEN7 lettersGRENADAINDIANANAIROBINIGERIASAN JUAN8 lettersBRASILIA9 lettersTASMAN SEA10 lettersADDIS ABABA11 lettersBUENOS AIRESPooch CafeCodewordEvery letter of <strong>the</strong> alphabet is used at least once.Squares with <strong>the</strong> same number in have <strong>the</strong> same letterin. Work out which number represents which letter.GarfieldPuzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.comChange WordBy changing one letter at a time to form a new word,transform <strong>the</strong> beginning word to <strong>the</strong> ending word in <strong>the</strong>rated number of steps (or fewer).Bound & GaggedC O O LPuzzle courtesy: allstarpuzzles.comW A R MSolutions on Page 16


time out • Monday, August 10, 2009 • Page 15puzzlesSudokuColouringSudoku is a puzzle based ona 9x9 grid. The grid is alsodivided into nine (3x3) boxes.You are given a selectionof values and to complete<strong>the</strong> puzzle, you must fill <strong>the</strong>grid so that every column,every row and every 3x3 boxcontains <strong>the</strong> digits 1 to 9 andnone is repeated.horoscopesARIES 21 Mar - 20 AprThink of <strong>the</strong> game you’re playing now with acertain someone in <strong>the</strong> same way, but be morehumane. Convey <strong>the</strong> message to your ‘toy’ that itreally is only a game — if for no o<strong>the</strong>r reason thanto assuage your conscience when it ends.CANCER 22 Jun - 22 JulIt’s no coincidence that emotions have alwaysbeen your sign’s specialty. You know how toexpress <strong>the</strong>m, no matter where you are or whohappens to be watching, because it never occursto you to hold <strong>the</strong>m back.LIBRA 24 Sep - 23 OctYou’ve decided to host a ga<strong>the</strong>ring at your place,but that isn’t much of a surprise. If anyone lovesto assemble <strong>the</strong>ir closest, most beloved kindredspirits right <strong>the</strong>re in <strong>the</strong>ir own nest, it’s you. Itmakes you feel full, warm and complete.CAPRICORN 22 Dec - 20 JanIf anyone is good at keeping a poker face, it’sdefinitely you. Things at workplace are in adownward spiral, however, recovery is expected.Spend more time with <strong>the</strong> family and keep a closewatch on your financial obligations.TAURUS 21 Apr - 21 MayIf anyone makes a terrific companion, it’s you —you have <strong>the</strong> endurance and tenacity of a bull.You’re game for anything, as long as you canget back in time to shower and change for work.Don’t cut it too close though.LEO 23 Jul - 22 AugThings are going along so well right now thatyou’re almost afraid to mention what’s goingon — <strong>the</strong> old ‘waiting for <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r shoe to drop’paranoia, that is. Oh, relax. Share <strong>the</strong> good wordwith everyone you know.SCORPIO 24 Oct - 22 NovThey might not be visions of sugarplums, but<strong>the</strong>y’re definitely visions, and <strong>the</strong>y’re definitelydancing through your head. Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y’re palmtrees, swimming pools or stage shows, get busymaking <strong>the</strong> arrangements.AQUARIUS 21 Jan - 19 FebYou’re a cerebral creature who often blaststhrough <strong>the</strong> routine of your day with so manythoughts, ideas and inventions simultaneouslydoing battle for attention. Make <strong>the</strong> best choicesto avoid disappointments.GEMINI 22 May - 21 JunYou’re usually pretty good at gauging <strong>the</strong> moodof <strong>the</strong> person you’re keeping company with,especially if you’re interested in more than justa friendship. At <strong>the</strong> moment, though, you’re notquite sure which of your usual tactics to employ.VIRGO 23 Aug - 23 SepYou want to let absolutely everyone knowhow happy you are and why. Start by gettingpermission from whoever is party to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rhalf of your joyous news. Once you get <strong>the</strong> okay,tell your friends, family and co-workers.SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov - 21 DecAt this particular moment in time, intimacyis definitely what you’re after, but not in <strong>the</strong>traditional sense; it’s not a physical connectionyou’re looking for. You want a meeting of <strong>the</strong>minds — and you won’t stop until you get it.PISCES 20 Feb - 20 MarYou’re set up to have one of those priceless daystoday. Don’t take it for granted, but don’t get toocarried away being grateful, ei<strong>the</strong>r. You can enjoyit without feeling indebted to whomever gets <strong>the</strong>show on <strong>the</strong> road for you.


Page 16 • time out • Monday, August 10, 2009puzzlesQuick CluesCryptic CluesYesterday’s SolutionsQUICKAcross: 1 Prodigal; 5 Shoe; 9Opus; 10 Accurate; 11 Liken; 12Maestro;13 Magniloquence; 18Linesman; 19 Earn; 20 Termini;21 Steal; 22 Able;23 Incident.Down: 2 Replica; 3 Discern; 4Accommodation; 6 Hearten; 7Eyesore; 8 Bureau;13 Militia; 14 General; 15 Instil;16 Ejected; 17 Certain.CRYPTICAcross: 1 Boat-race; 5 Amid;9 Stag; 10 Ink-wells; 11 Vista; 12Coterie;13 Change of heart; 18 Distrust;19 Roll; 20 Concede; 21 Thief;22 Lees;23 Assented.Down: 2 Ostrich; 3 Tighten; 4Consciousness; 6 Malaria; 7Dessert; 8 Switch;13 Codicil; 14 Absence; 15Garden; 16 Ear<strong>the</strong>n; 17 Relieve.AnswersAcross1. Showiness (11)9. Perplex (7)10. Extravagant (5)11. Stratum (5)12. Lassitude (7)13. Figure (6)15. Magnificent (6)18. Prevail (7)20. Trickster (5)22. External (5)23. Kitchen sideboard (7)24. In ignorance (11)Down2. Genial (5)3. Extend (7)4. Struggle (6)5. Prickle (5)6. Gatecrash (7)7. Leaning (11)8. Vengeful (11)14. Dampen (7)16. Dirty (7)17. Follow and watch (6)19. Imbecile (5)21. Artist’s stand (5)Across1. Happening to be photographing<strong>the</strong> site! (6,5)9 & 16 Dn. What faces <strong>the</strong> houses of<strong>the</strong> French capital? (7,2,5)10. A note needs transposing by <strong>the</strong>right vocalist (5)11. He’s a cleric as a rule (5)12. This is assumed to make a soundreceiver look more attractive (3-4)13. What <strong>the</strong> cat did, having runround <strong>the</strong> track? (6)15. Having been topped, it’s tappedand <strong>the</strong>n tipped! (6)18. Take pains to show calamity (7)20. They’re instrumental as watercarriers(5)22. Tolled about one showingremorse (5)23. Adoring to break a kind of knot(7)24. Daring to take a risk with certainpeople (11)Down2. What increases your bankbalance once more (5)3. Deeply emotional in past,present or future (7)4. Stone coming from <strong>the</strong>north in great variety (6)5. More recent piece of raretalent brought up (5)6. To do this, one may need togive a man time (7)7. So clue parts will revealthose who take financial risks(11)8. Emulating <strong>the</strong> pilgrim? (11)14. The result of taking a onesidedpicture (7)16. See 9 Across17. Firm amalgamation (6)19. Fanatic has to makeprogress in <strong>the</strong> part (5)21. Being precise about aTrojan king (5)Globe Word-FitCodewordInformationPrayer TimeFajr 3.42amShorooq (sunrise) 5.05amZuhr (noon) 11.39amAsr (afternoon) 3.08pmMaghreb (sunset) 6.14pmIsha (night) 7.44pmDoha ZooOpen from 8am to 12 noon and2.30pm to 7pm daily. Tuesdaysare reserved for women. Fridayfor general public in <strong>the</strong> afternoononly.Consumer Complaints(Food control department)Head of dept 43476335570888Deputy head of dept 5555296Central operator 4347777Food consultant 4347540Help LineIs drinking a problem for you orsomeone you love?Call Alcoholics Anonymous:5605901HospitalsVISITING HOURS:Hamad General Hospital, Women’sHospital and Rumaillah Hospital:6am to 7.30am, 4pm to 8pm.Useful NumbersPolice, Fire, Ambulance 999HMC 4392222Women’s (Rumaillah) 4393333HMC (Emergency) 4393507Veterinary 653083Water & Electricity 991Flight Inquiries 4622999Doha Seaport 4457457Cinema 4671811Museum of Islamic Art 4224444Mumtaz Post (24hr) 44155664432211(Car) 4483555Ship Phone Service 4864444Ministry of Interior mainswitchboard 4330000Public Department for passports,nationality and residence 4882882Capital Security Dept 4444420Criminal Info Dept 4477477Boundaries and CoastsSecurity 4414488Civil Defence Department 4413666Rescue Service 4682888The Grand Cinecentre 4839064Cinema Palace 4320938The Mall Cineplex 4678666Cinema Land 4881674Gulf & Doha Cinema 4671811Amir Cinema 4424913Qatar National Theater 4831246DVD, Video releasesENGLISH: Duplicity (Julia Roberts);Street Fight: The Legend of Chun Li(Kristin Kreuk); Dragonball Evolution(Chow Yun-fat); Chaos Theory(Ryan Reynolds); Fast & Furious(Vin Diesel); Coraline (animation);Punisher: War Zone (Ray Stevenson)Curious Case of Benjamin Button(Brad Pitt); Gran Torino (ClintEastwood); Revolutonary Road (KateWinslet); (Vicky CristinaBarcelona (Penelope Cruz, ScarlettJohansson); Control (SamanthaMorton); Home Of The Giants(Haley Joel Osment); 12 Rounds (JohnCena); Push (Chris Evans); Knowing(Nicolas Cage).HINDI: Paying Guests (ShreyasTalpade); 8x10 Tasveer (AkshayKumar).Change WordC O O LC O O KC O R KW O R KW O R MW A R M

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