The Promise director Chen Kaige is on the list of 2006
Green Chinese of the Year award nominees released yesterday, an
honor normally reserved for those who have helped to protect the
environment.
Chen Kaige came under fire earlier this year for reportedly
destroying the natural environment at Shangri-La in Yunnan Province while shooting footage for
The Promise.
Hundreds of people nominated the director for the green award
via the internet arguing that the notorious case against him has
helped raise awareness of environmental protection.
Last year's winner Liang Congjie admitted he is concerned by the
caliber of this year's nominees during an interview with
Beijing Star Daily. He said only people who have worked
hard to protect the environment should be entitled to the
award.
The award organizer, the China Environment Culture Promotion
Association, did not comment on the nominations. It promised to
choose the final winners on the basis of their passion,
contribution, and influence in the field of environmental
protection.?
(CRI October 28, 2006)