February 2015

Issue 115
February 2015

A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

2015: Chinese New Year of the Sheep

Qiong Wa ng

If I have to name one day of an en- sight of a piece of bright red paper on the poems on a background of red paper. Extire year that I wish dearly to be with my door. Suddenly, firecrackers began to ex- pressing sentiments about life’s renewal, family-on-the-other-side-of-the-planet, plode. Terrified, Nian ran away from the the arrival of spring, and wishes for a it’s the Chinese New Year. Also called village. prosperous year ahead, they’re pasted on Spring Festival, it is the most cherished When the villagers returned the fol- both sides of the main door. These Spring and celebrated holiday in China, as fami- lowing day, they were surprised to find Festival couplets originate from ancient lies reunite to ring out the old year and that everything was safe and sound. The “peach wood charms,” which are carved celebrate the coming new year. According old woman told the story of the beggar. or painted charms depicting protective to the Chinese Animal Zodiac, every year Noticing the red paper on the door and door gods. During the Five Dynasty Peis associated with one of twelve animals: the remnants of candles, lanterns, and riod (897-979 AD), Emperor Meng Chang Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, firecrackers, the villagers suddenly real- ordered his counselor to engrave an inHorse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and ized that Nian feared the color red, bright spirational couplet on a pair of peach Pig. On February 19, 2015 we say farewell light, and loud noises. Rejoicing in relief wood slats to hang on the door of his livto a previous year of the Horse, and wel- and excitement, they celebrated. Wearing ing room, starting a custom that graducome the beginning of a year of the Sheep. new hats and clothes, they visited family ally evolved into today’s Spring Festival and friends, and congratulated each other couplets.
The myth of Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year celebration

on the prospect of a peaceful year ahead.

Besides Spring Festival couplets, it is

Since then, every year on the day that also common for people to make red pahas a long history, dating back over 4,000 Nian would appear, families adorn their per cutouts and paste them on windows. years. According to ancient legends, it doors with red paper, set off firecrackers, It’s popular to display calligraphic writbegan with a mythical beast called Nian. and light candles and lanterns in their ings of Chinese characters for “spring” Nian was a ferocious monster with a gi- homes. The next morning, which marks or “blessing.” These are sometimes hung gantic horn and sharp teeth. It lived in the start of a new year, people visit their upside down, since in Chinese, the word the deep sea all year long, but once ev- relatives and friends, with festivities last- “invert” is a homonym for “arrive,” thus ery year it would crawl out of the water ing for 15 days. This tradition of gratitude signifying the arrival of spring or blessto wreak havoc on villages. Every year on and hope has continued till today. this day, villagers, young and old, would ing to the household. flee deep into the mountains to hide from Nian’s attack.
Traditional Chinese New Year decorations
Traditional Chinese New Year cuisine The most important meal during the

One year, while the villagers had

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, celebration is the New Year’s Eve dinner,

started their rush to the mountains, an families decorate their homes with a va- when families get together for a sumptuold beggar came through the neighbor- riety of red items, as red signifies luck ous banquet. The cuisine varies in differhood. An elderly grandmother gave him and good fortune in Chinese culture. ent parts of China. In the north, it is cusfood, and warned him to hide so as not to The most popular ones include lanterns, tomary to eat dumplings (jiao zi), which be harmed by Nian. The beggar laughed Spring Festival couplets and paper cut- bear the shape of ancient Chinese curand said that he could chase Nian away. outs. Surprised and hesitant, the old woman rency gold ingots (yuan bao), thus signi-
Red lanterns are usually hung around fying fortune. In southern China, people

left on her own.

the house, especially at the front door, usually eat New Year’s cake made of glu-

At midnight, Nian arrived in the where families often put up a pair of large tinous rice flour (nian gao), since it is a village. It was pitch black everywhere, ones. These lanterns burn throughout the homophone for “higher and higher every except for the old woman’s house, which night, protecting the family from the evil year” in Chinese. shone brightly with candle and lantern monster Nian.

light. The monster bounded towards the

Spring Festival couplets are pairs of

Traditional activities of a Chinese

house, but stopped short, trembling at the calligraphic writings of ancient Chinese New Year

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After New Year’s Eve dinner, family nese folk tales, the story of the Sheep is members typically stay up late together similar to that of Prometheus in Greek and chat happily until midnight (shou mythology. Prometheus brought fire to sui), waiting for the first bell ring of the mankind, while the sacred Sheep brought New Year. There are also many New seeds of corn and rice and taught manYear’s Eve TV programs featuring sing- kind the basics of farming. Beloved by ing and dancing, entertaining millions of the people, the Sheep made its way into

Editorial Board

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jim Keller
Aileen Marshall Nicolas Renier Susan Russo Qiong Wang Peng Kate Gao Jason Rothauser

families in China and around the world.

the Chinese Animal Zodiac, symbolizing

On the first day of the New Year, it beauty, calm, sensitivity and creativity. is customary for younger generations to It is believed that people born in a parvisit the elders, wishing them health and ticular year possess characteristics of the longevity. Children and teenagers are giv- animal zodiac associated with that year. en “lucky money” (ya sui qian) packed in Michelangelo, Mark Twain, and Thomas red envelops by their parents and grand- Edison were all born in year of the Sheep. parents. These are believed to bring good

selections.rockefeller.edu [email protected]

luck and to ward off evil spirits. People also visit relatives and friends during the

Chinese New Year greetings

Gong xi fa cai: Wish you to make great

If you want to wish colleagues or fortune.

New Year celebration period. For these friends a happy Chinese New Year during

He jia huan le: Wish happiness for

visits snacks are often served; the most the New Year period (Feb 19-Mar 6, 2015), your whole family.

popular ones include sunflower seeds, try greeting them in authentic Chinese,

The year of the Sheep is right around

and you will likely spark a big smile on the corner, so wan shi ru yi everyone!◉ their faces:
Guo nian hao: Happy New Year. Wan shi ru yi: Wish you every happipeanuts, tangerines and candy.
Year of the Sheep According to the Chinese Animal Zodiac, 2015 is a year of the Sheep. In Chi- ness and prosperity.

For Your Consideration – And They’re Off! Edition

Ji m K e l l e r

I maintain that the Oscar race can be dio: Sony Pictures Classics):

FYC: In this tale of redemption and self-

likened to a horserace where each studio

FYC: Carell’s campaign can best be reinvention, Keaton plays an also-ran who

bets on its thoroughbreds and hopes that described as “steady as she goes.” Follow- once portrayed an iconic superhero, and they can at least place at the end. e studio ing rave reviews for his portrayal of para- battles his ego as he mounts a Broadway is the owner, the public relations depart- noid schizophrenic murderer and heir to play and works to recover his family and ment is the jockey, and the horse is the actor the du Pont chemical fortune, John Eleu- career. Not only is the irony that Keaton or ﬁlm in the analogy. Here we thrust those thère du Pont at the Cannes Film Festival played Batman twice not lost, but one could roles I’ve discussed in the three-part Ones last May, it was soon announced that he argue his performance is a prime example to Watch edition under a microscope to would campaign as lead actor. is raised of imitation of life.

separate the nominees from the contenders some eyebrows given that Channing Ta-

While the race is decidedly between

and to identify the power players for each tum and Mark Ruffalo who play Olympic Keaton and Eddie Redmayne for the win, studio. I’ve also included my rankings as wrestling brothers and victims Mark and it’s Keaton who won the Golden Globe, the they stood on Oscar nominations eve—the David Schultz in the drama based on Mark National Board of Review (NBR), and two number in parentheses indicates my place- Schultz’s autobiography are co-leads while awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Asment following nominations. I chose the Carell’s is a supporting role. But Oscar vot- sociation (BFCA): Best Actor and Best Acmaximum ten nominees for Best Picture ers went along and placed him in the lead tor in a Comedy Movie. More on those last and all categories reflect five nominees. e category as predicted. Don’t look for Carell two awards in a minute, but one has to wontop five in the table were my nominee picks, to pull out a win though, despite Screen der if it’s Keaton’s imitation of life that has those that fall outside of that were outside Actors Guild (SAG), Golden Globe, and given him the edge thus far? And why did

chances that I had listed.

BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Tele- the BFCA give him two separate awards for

In the September issue, I examined the vision Arts) nominations. e nomination the same performance, especially when the
Best Actor race. Here are the roles I dis- is his award. cussed and where the candidates ended up ﬁve months later: ﬁlm is not a comedy? ese questions may never be answered but they’re important to
THE HAS-BEEN: Michael Keaton – ask when considering all of the angles. Ke-
Birdman or (e Unexpected Virtue of aton also has the requisite SAG and BAFTA
THE CHANGELING: Steve Carell – Ignorance) (director: Alejandro González nominations. He is likely your winner.
Foxcatcher (director: Bennett Miller, stu- Iñárritu, studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures):

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THE DRUGGIE: Joaquin Phoenix – In- this season was a BFCA nomination for porting Actress campaign. ere she sits herent Vice (director: Paul omas Ander- Best Actor in an Action Movie. His hopes (see below).

son, studio: Warner Bros. Pictures):

were dashed earlier on in a competitive

FYC: On paper Phoenix’s role as “Doc” year. in this adaptation, based on omas Pynchon’s novel, which follows a drug-fueled
THE BRIDESMAID: Julianne Moore
– Still Alice (director: Richard Glatzer and
THE ARTIST: Timothy Spall – Mr. Wash Westmoreland, studio: Sony Pictures detective (Phoenix) through 1970s Los An- Turner (director: Mike Leigh, studio: En- Classics):

geles as he investigates the disappearance of tertainment One):

FYC: Yes, folks, it appears our brides-

an ex-girlfriend seemed like primetime for

FYC: While Spall made headlines last maid is about to become our bride! Aﬅer

Oscar. But the result was more of a comedic May when he won the Best Actor award at 16 years and five nominations, Moore looks role (Phoenix’s only nomination this sea- Cannes and won the European Film Award to be the one who will take home the top son was a Golden Globe, Best Performance (Europe’s answer to the Oscars), he failed prize on Oscar night. e film follows Alice by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical to register with any of the other larger film Howland, a well-respected linguistics proor Comedy) and did not catch on further, award bodies and subsequently missed an fessor who begins to forget words, receives effectively leaving him out of the hunt for Oscar nomination for his portrayal of ec- a devastating diagnosis, and is severely test-

gold.

centric British painter J.M.W. Turner.

ed along with her family. Like her counter-

part in the Actor category, Moore won the

THE SELF-STARTER: Eddie Red-

MR. DYNAMITE: Chadwick Boseman Golden Globe, the NBR, and the BFCA, and

mayne – e eory of Everything (direc- – Get on Up (director: Tate Taylor, studio: has the requisite SAG and BAFTA nominator: James Marsh, studios: Focus Features, Universal Pictures): tions. Her performance is devastatingly Universal Pictures): FYC: In September Boseman was earn- real—a word of caution for anyone with a
FYC: Despite having no major precur- ing positive reviews for playing the Ameri- relative who has faced dementia. sor wins, Redmayne remains steadfast can icon James Brown in this ﬁlm that

just as his biopic subject physicist, Stephen chronicles his rise from poverty to become

THE COMEBACK KID: Reese Wither-

Hawking did when faced with ALS. At the one of the most influential musicians in his- spoon – Wild (director: Jean-Marc Vallée, end of the day it’s the Academy that decides tory. At that time I posited whether Bose- studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures): who will win, not the precursors. Regard- man could remain in the awards discussion less, Redmayne delivers the goods and has for the remainder of the season. He did not. this summer’s Telluride film festival, With-
FYC: Following the film’s premiere at the appropriate honors to assist him in snatching the Oscar from the clutches of erspoon became the early frontrunner, but
THE NEWCOMER: Jack O’Connell – as indicated above, this is no longer the
Keaton: Golden Globe, BAFTA, BFCA, and Unbroken (director: Angelina Jolie, studio: case. No matter, she still finds herself in the

SAG. Can he do it?

Universal Pictures):

thick of the race with an Oscar nomination

FYC: As it turns out, O’Connell’s em- alongside Golden Globe, BFCA, SAG and
THE STRAIGHT GAY MAN: Benedict bodiment of Olympic runner and former BAFTA nominations for her raw perfor-
Cumberbatch – e Imitation Game (di- WWII POW Louis Zamperini also missed mance. Witherspoon plays Cheryl Strayed, rector: Morton Tyldem, studio: e Wein- Oscar’s mark. To be fair, the ﬁlm, much like the author of the best-selling memoir Wild:

stein Company):

its central character, faced insurmount- From Lost to Found on the Paciﬁc Crest

FYC: Outside of Keaton and Redmayne, able odds ever since a trailer was released Trail, which chronicles her 1,100-mile hike
Cumberbatch remains one to watch for the to dovetail with the XXII Winter Olympics undertaken in an attempt to heal from cawin. A great deal has been made in the me- last February. e move prompted many tastrophe. dia about Redmayne and Cumberbatch’s Oscar pundits to place the ﬁlm at the top

ﬁlms canceling one another out because of of their prediction lists and to keep it there

THE ARTIST: Amy Adams – Big Eyes

their British ties. is argument makes little throughout most of the season, placing loﬅy (director: Tim Burton, studio: e Weinsense, but sadly is a way to split the diﬀer- and unfair expectations on the ﬁlm. ere stein Company): ence and hand the statue to Keaton. Cum- was only one place for it to go, down, and

berbatch plays Alan Turing—the English it took O’Connell with it—despite an NBR

FYC: While Adams won the Golden

mathematician/logician who helped crack Breakthrough Performer win he shared Globe for Best Actress – Comedy or Musithe Nazi’s Enigma code during WWII and with his Starred Up performance. who invented the modern computer before cal and earned a BAFTA nomination for her portrayal of painter Margaret Keane, the

being prosecuted for homosexuality by the

Not to be outdone, the leading ladies perennial favorite has been leﬅ in the dust

British government. Like Keaton, Cumber- were covered in the October issue. Let’s see following the ﬁlm’s lukewarm reception at batch has SAG, BAFTA, and BFCA nomi- where they stand: nations. Unlike Keaton, he has yet to win any major awards.
New York’s Museum of Modern Art in December. What’s interesting is that Adams
THE QUEEN BEE: Meryl Streep – Into was unseated by Marion Cotillard, who was the Woods (director: Rob Marshall, studio: snubbed by the Academy two years ago for
THE MONEYMAKER: Brad Pitt – Walt Disney Pictures):
Fury (director: David Ayer, studio: Columbia Pictures): her searing performance in Rust and Bone.
FYC: As indicated in last month’s col-

umn, shortly aﬅer the October issue it was

THE PIONEER: Hillary Swank – e

FYC: e extent of Pitt’s awards glory announced that Streep would run a Sup- Homesman (director: Tommy Lee Jones,

3

studio: Saban Films, Roadside Attractions): Golden Globe nominations for his role as a

FYC: Early on in the race Swank was relentless instructor who knows no bounds

THE QUEEN BEE: Meryl Streep – Into

thought to be destined for the ﬁﬅh slot for when it comes to realizing his student’s po- the Woods (director: Rob Marshall, studio: her performance as pioneer woman Mary tential. Bee Cuddy, who teamed up with a claim
Walt Disney Pictures):
FYC: Unlike last year, Streep’s 19th

jumper (Tommy Lee Jones) to escort three

THE ACTOR: Edward Norton — Bird- nomination was a cinch. Her performance

insane women across the plains. at was man or (e Unexpected Virtue of Igno- as the witch in this adaptation of the Tony not to be, as the ﬁlm failed to impress sev- rance) (director: Alejandro Iñárritu, studio: award-winning Broadway musical car-

eral critics, and Swank earned her only Fox Searchlight Pictures):

ries the ﬁlm. Her character presides over

honors this season from a few smaller critics groups.
FYC: It seems that Norton has been fol- various Grimms’ Fairy Tales characters inlowing just a half step behind Simmons all cluding Cinderella, and the Baker and his season. It remains to be seen if his portrayal Wife, as they learn life lessons. It’s clear that
THE BUSINESS WOMAN: Jessica of the caustic actor who joins the Broadway Streep relished every minute of it and she
Chastain – A Most Violent Year (director: play put on by Riggan, can topple Simmons. has secured SAG, Golden Globe, and BFCA

J.C. Chandor, studio: A24):

Where Simmons took the BFCA, Norton nominations. At this late hour in the race,

FYC: Like Streep, and as indicated in won the NBR, earned a BFCA nomination the only one standing in her way of a fourth last month’s column, shortly aﬅer the Oc- and matched Simmons SAG, Golden Globe, Oscar is Patricia Arquette, who is picking tober issue it was conﬁrmed that Chastain and BAFTA nominations. Could it be an- up awards on the circuit like eggs in a baswould run a Supporting Actress campaign other year where Best Actor and Best Sup- ket.

(see below).

porting Actor come from the same movie?

THE BRIT: Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl

THE MOTHER: Patricia Arquette –

(director: David Fincher, studio: 20th Century Fox):
THE GOOD GUY: Mark Ruﬀalo — Boyhood (director: Richard Linklater, stu-
Foxcatcher (director: Bennett Miller, studio: IFC Films):

FYC: Without giving anything away, dios: Sony Pictures Classics):

FYC: Of all of Boyhood’s nomina-

Pike plays three diﬀerent versions of the

FYC: It’s no surprise that Ruﬀalo man- tions, this is one of the most deserving.

same person with deﬅ care in this mystery- aged a nomination while the film itself fell Arquette seamlessly inhabits her role as thriller based on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel short. For one, his ill-fated David is the “Mom” through twelve years of film snipof the same name. In another world where only 100% likeable character. But Ruffalo pets pieced together to create Linklater’s a woman can truly lead a film and whether gives a well-wrought performance imbued crowning achievement. e awards chancor not they portray a likeable character is with warmth and tenderness that cannot be es of such a unique vision could’ve gone eiinconsequential, Pike would be the front- ignored alongside his more rugged, lived- ther way—fortunately the critics tipped the runner. Sadly, our world (and especially in contemporaries. He also earned SAG, scale in its favor. Arquette’s awards season the Hollywood world) is run largely by Golden Globe, BFCA, and BAFTA nomina- haul matches Simmons’ to a T. She won the men who decide what is in, what is out, and tions. therefore who is in and who is out. Make no mistake, Pike is in, but there’s no ques-
BFCA and has earned SAG, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominations. Look for this
THE FATHER: Ethan Hawke — Boy- trend to continue and for Arquette to take tion that the film got a raw deal. Pike stands hood (director: Richard Linklater, studio: home the Oscar. alongside her peers with Golden Globe, IFC Films):

BAFTA, BFCA and SAG nominations.

FYC: ere isn’t much to say. Hawke

landed a nomination due to the unyield- Imitation Game (director: Morten Tyldum,
e Ones to Watch series concluded in ing momentum of Boyhood. e force was studio: e Weinstein Company): the December/January issue with a look unstoppable, and while Hawke too earned FYC: In this come-from-behind WWII
THE BRAIN: Keira Knightley – e at the Best Supporting Actor and Actress SAG, Golden Globe, BFCA, and BAFTA drama concerning Alan Turing’s (Cumberraces. Let’s see how their contenders have nominations, the nominations are his re- batch) plight to crack the Nazi’s Enigma stacked up following January 15th’s Oscar ward. I would be shocked if he took any code Knightley plays Turing’s friend, col-

nominations:

hardware home.

league, and one-time ﬁancée Joan Clarke.

Much like others in this category Knight-

~THE GENTS~

THE COMEDIAN: Josh Brolin — In- ley has received the requisite SAG, Golden

herent Vice (director: Paul omas Ander- Globe, BFCA, and BAFTA nominations
THE NEWBIE: J.K. Simmons — Whip- son, studio: Warner Bros. Pictures): lash (director: Damien Chazelle, studio: Sony Pictures Classics): for her performance. With Arquette as un-
FYC: Despite a BFCA nomination, Bro- stoppable as a speeding locomotive, a win lin’s hilarious turn as Detective Christian would be astonishing.
FYC: It would be a big surprise if Sim- “Bigfoot” Bjornsen in this murky, stoner

mons didn’t take home the gold on Oscar mystery has largely gone unnoticed. In-

THE TART: Emma Stone – Birdman or

night. He, like his contemporary Keaton stead, Robert Duvall took the ﬁﬅh slot for (e Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (diin the lead race, is the de facto frontrunner another murky ﬁlm, e Judge. and has been for some time. He won the rector: Alejandro González Iñárritu, studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures):

BFCA and has earned SAG, BAFTA, and

~THE LADIES~

FYC: Stone plays Riggan’s (Keaton)