Raise the Red Lantern

I was blown away by watching Raise the Red Lantern. It was cinematographic masterpiece. I have to agree with reviewers that the house of the master is definitely a character within the movie as well. This elaborate setting provides the stage for a very striking tale of power, deceit, and manipulation. Though Meishan was not the main character of the movie she interested me the most. The ex-opera singer who decided to marry the feudal lord. The movie never said why, but it is a thought provoking question. Why did the successful singer who had even been recorded, decide to leave her promising career. She was definitely a worthy opponent in the power struggle. She was younger than the first two wives and she possessed an amazing singing talent. She used this to her advantage more than once. She was crafty and intelligent her strategy to gain the master's favor, but she was also wanted a love that was all her own. I think this desire for a love that she wouldn't have to share brought her in to the fatal love triangle with Dr. Gao. Even though Songlian accidentally betrays her to Zhouyun, it is still betrayl in my eyes. When Zhouyun discovers Meishan and Dr. Gao in a compromising position in the hotel,it puts Meishan in irreprable downward spiral. Meishan is punished and put to death for her affair, and her death is never even acknowledged by the family. As the servant said "What must be done, was done." in accordance with the custom. A horrific death by hanging for Meishan.

Assignment Unit 3

For this assignment, I wasn't fortunate enough to be able to get my hands on the preferred film, but I was not disappointed. The movie I viewed was entitled "Water." It was a fantastic rendering of the 1930's hindu law regarding women. I found some very helpful reviews, but the most helpful was found at this website:

Read a review'>http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=161622&page=2">review of Water from Channel 4 Film.

I enjoyed this particular review the best because it stated the background necessary for understanding the film. It gave a nice overview of the plot without giving too many details. It also critiqued the actors and some of the minor film dificiencies. Most importantly it gave the director the deserved accoladades. It also gave background on the directors and the difficulty of making such a controversial film. It took 5 years to shoot this film do to all the negative cultural feedback and surrounding issues. It was finally completed in Sri Lanka. I also agree that though the love story was an addition to the plot of the story, the plight of the women who live in the house of widows is most clearly depicted as the viewer watches Shakuntala's struggle between the laws and rules she followed all her life and the growing realization that these rules may not be just.

Assignment Unit 2

If I had to choose 3 poignant scenes from L'America these are the scenes that captivated my attention:

Scene 1: The last scene of the movie--Spiro and Gino are on the boat headed to Italy
Analysis: It stuck in my mind because the scene is an excellent example of juxtaposition. The writers and directors purposefully put both characters in the scene together to show a distinct difference in their character. While Gino is dejected and deflated from his arduous journey through Albania, Spiro is filled with a buoyant hope for a better life in America (even though the ship is headed to Italy). I think this scene was important to the movie because it not only brought the conclusion of the film, but it also marked the end of Gino's eye opening experience through Albania.

Scene 2: Spiro is no longer the director and encourages Gino after he loses his position as well
Analysis: This scene shows Spiro's relentless hope. Throughout the movie the script and the directors work to show the lack of Albanian nationalism and their faith in Italy, but they also strive to show Spiro's unconditional faith. While imprisoned the guard said that he continued week after week to walk out to the gates with the belief that he was going home. I believe that portraying Spiro in this way is essential to the movie because it adds to the irony that he is in fact not Albanian, but also that he embodies a characteristic most of the Albanians in the movie share. He is their hope personified,

Scene 3: Gino is arrested by the Albanian police and his pass port is taken
Analysis: Throughout the movie Gino is a visitor in Albania, but his respect and treatment of the people and culture is lacking. He parades around the country with a arrogance courtesy of his Italian citizenship. It is almost as if because he is Italian the laws and standards do not apply to him. This all comes to a crashing halt when he is arrested for his involvement in the shady business venture. His passport is confiscated and he wants to know how he will get around with out his passport and the response from the Albanian officer is basically if you are in Albania you don't need one. This scene is important to the movie because the passport is Gino's only proof of his Italian citizenship. It also the only way he can legally travel back to Italy. This in turn is how he ends up on the immigrant ship to Italy at the end of the movie

If I could have he directors power and end the movie anyway I would like, I would have preferred a happier ending for Spiro. I would have maybe taken the "sappy approach" by showing him reunited with his wife or son.

Court is in Session

Blogging...First Thoughts...Hmmmm...This is my first time ever blogging, but I find the experience quite fascinating so far and I'm sure that by the end of the course that I will probably be addicted to blogging (like so many other online pastimes). I look forward to dropping more thoughts and picking up more of yours...