Well, last night saw the latest in the Hangover franchise, this time
based in Bangkok and an alleged Chiang Mai. Enjoyed #1, and reviews #2
were certainly mixed (mostly negative), so apart from the Thai
connection, I was pretty ambivalent, but expected some funny set
pieces.

Its hilarious! Bad taste galore, and some very dodgy sight gags I'm
surprised made it past the UK censor. It's laugh out loud, from the
appalling but inspired behaviour of Alan (Zach Galifianakis) to the
antics of a smoking, drug dealing monkey wearing a Rolling Stones
jacket. Thais do come out of the film well - the film skirts
successfully around the danger of foreign-based US projects
patronising the locals (think Sex in the City 2, or National Lampoon:
European Vacation). Its the non-Thais here who look crazed.

OK, some of the plot is patchy, and though they SAY they're in Chiang
Mai, its actually just another part of Bangkok. Nonetheless, you
should see this film. You'll gasp, you'll retch, you'll laugh until
you cry, and you'll be shocked at yet another cameo from Mike Tyson.
He can't act or sing, but of course I wouldn't say that to his face :)

Sitting down in the Brighton Dome last week, it was when I saw a sofa
on the stage, covered in moving, swirling patterns I knew I was at a
Laurie Anderson concert. I've followed Anderson since the '80s, though
she's been around for a lot longer than that. She was playing her
'Delusional' tour this week in Brighton as part of the Festival
(curated somehow by Aung San Suu Kyi).

What a gig! Ninety minutes of poetry, stunning images projected onto
three screens, and a magical soundscape generated by Anderson from one
computer and a small, two octave keyboard at stage left. Oh, and That
Violin. Songs were a mix of philosophy, observation of the modern
world, and hints of intrigue from Anderson's trademark 'manvoice',
where her voice is dropped a couple of octaves by an electronic gizmo.

A great gig, spoiled only by the person next to me taking photos with,
wait for it, the FLASH, and the BEEPS switched on. Why?

Just seen advert on BBC for an upcoming Comic Relief gig on Thursday 3rd March. Is it only me, or is it really just so nauseating that these C list stars (including Lenny Henry - again) are sent to some poor part of the world to hug a few foreigners, cry a bit and looked shocked that some slum in Southern Africa is nothing like Islington. What did they really expect?

If the purpose is to raise awareness then fair enough, but please make it less lachrymose and patronising. Be realistic. Of the 5 billion people on our planet, two thirds are living in not so different circumstances to those in this slum.

Stop crying. Start thinking.

SO, at the moment transcribing gazillions of interviews after some
research in Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. Amazing experience, and as
always respondents honest and open about their complicated lives
working as sex workers, and bringing up children.

BUT - the recordings! Oh the recordings! SO - here are some hints for
researchers working in developing and hot countries:

* Move the recorder away from any COOLING FANS! Many of the interviews
are difficult to hear behind the thunderous booming of what at the
time seemed a fairly small and innocuous cooling tool
* Take notes even though you are still recording the interviews! These
are INVALUABLE in transcribing and trying to work out those tricksy
words that always come at key moments - did the person say light,
kite, night, fight, sight, tight, bite, height, might, plight,
zeit(geist)? Could change the whole meaning of the interview :)
* Be patient with translators - they are doing their best, and be
careful not to catch the eye of respondents whilst translators are
trying to work out what the question is. This can lead to
embarrassment, giggling, or both.
* Backup all your recordings! Anal maybe, but do you have the time and
1000 quid to fly back to downtown Dhaka and re-do the interview?

More updates soon.

IJH: 3rd August 2010