The story arc of the protagonist versus antagonist has been retold for centuries. One good. The other bad. And they stay that way through to the end of the story. In my twenties, I discovered alternative story telling in Japanese animation and Asian cinema. At first, I found Asian stories convoluted. Sometimes the antagonist turned out to be good, then bad, and then good again. The protagonist ping-ponged the opposite way. Even to this day I still find it confusing, but I’m a fan, nevertheless.
As I began to travel the world I learned how cultures and their media polarized society: Good vs. Evil – Heaven vs. Hell. The other side of the world seemingly flipped the roles of the antagonist and protagonist. It got me thinking: Who are the true good and bad guys in any narrative?
“Perception is Reality”, propagates through all societies. This is further amplified in the digital era as we’re indoctrinated to believe that we’re always the good guys. We point fingers to “them” and tell stories of our ancestors to demonize our enemies. It’s classic tribal behavior. We’re manipulated to vilify the other side through lore that may or may not be true, partially true, or a complete fabrication. We convince ourselves how lucky we are to be on the right side of the fence.
In Asian narratives, there is no polarization of good and evil. Both sides must coexist in the same space of an intertwined yin-yang.
The atrocities of world leaders are well documented. The winners always write the history books and the evil perpetrated by the good guys is always justified. Narratives are outright twisted to either justify the action of the ‘good guys’ or erased from the history books. We inflame the actions of our enemies while completely justifying our own – even if the actions are identical! It’s all about perspective.
In Asian narratives, there is no polarization of good and evil. Both sides must coexist in the same space of an intertwined yin-yang. A bit of good exists in evil,.. etcetera. Each side needs the other to co-exist. They settle for coexistence because both are forever trapped in the same room.
On which side of the fence are you?
Dusil Photography captures exquisite moments with models who dare to be vulnerable and enter the world of sensuality. I’ve been blessed with the freedom to explore their deepest emotions. Whether it’s alluring curves or a seductive gaze, each photograph tells her story. My portfolio reflects a seamless fusion of feminine beauty and compassion.
