Film Festival

[Anonymous]

Based on Professor Yamashita's recommendation, I watched The Twilight Samurai. It's a 2002 Japanese movie with English subtitles about a low-ranking samurai circa 1870, just before the Meiji Restoration. It tells the tale of Seibei Iguchi (the samurai) and his conflict between duty/expectation and family/love. It was highly entertaining and I give it a big thumbs up.

What did I learn? Many samurai of this late Tokugawa era were civil servants, working in offices with bosses, gossipy co-workers, and plenty of paperwork. This is a side of their lives that I hadn't seen before and the film is worth watching just for that. Outwardly, Seibei is not your typical samurai and his devotion to family and inner truth sets him apart from his peers and on a collision course with his duty as a samurai. And it is here that the film really stands apart from other samurai films I have seen (not so many). This is not your ordinary slash-em-up samurai movie. It is a realistic, modern-day update that presents samurai as fully complex human beings. How accurate is it? I don't know. I would guess fairly accurate however. Not that most samurai took the path the Seibei takes in this film, but they were certainly multi-dimensional beings, not the staid characters from the 7th grade textbook.

Teachability? Good. I would use the scenes of the film that show 1) samurai's daily activities 2) samurai relationships with their lords. This would reinforce content from other sources. This includes a scene where Seibei tells his lord about his inner struggle and also a scene where Seibei and his foil Zenemon discuss their personal motivations. This would give the students a good balance between samurai as members of a feudal hierarchy and samurai as members of the human race.[Edit by="mlloyd on Apr 16, 9:33:01 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Zatoichi- professor Miyake mentioned this film in last night's lecture. This movie has a lot of violence but it has great images, very bright and colorful- definitely worth checking out. Like professor Miyake mentioned, this movie takes place in Tokugawa Japan. There are several scenes in the country, some in a gambling house. Weaved into the story are 2 geishas and they're shown dancing and playing music. The soundtrack is cool too- after the movie ends there is also a closing scene, like a musical, the entire cast is drumming and dancing.

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[Anonymous]

Samurai Fiction, set in the early 17th century, is a movie about a ronin that steals a sword from a clan. This sword is like a family heirloom, given to the clan by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The son of the clan leader, and his friends leave in search of the ronin. The movie is in black and white, but it very modern and the soundtrack is great- very contemporary and dramatic! i think its a MTV Japan production.

This movie is not rated an the violent scenes are somewhat censored. Instead of showing the blood, when somebody is fatally wounded, the scene is flooded with red, implying the wounded is dying or died. In my classroom, it is a great example of clans and the hierarchy of the warrior class (shogun, daimyo, samurai and ronin).

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[Anonymous]

I found at the library the film Beijing Bicycle by a sixth generation director Wang Xioshurai. This film could be used in the class in whole or part. There is much to discuss about social status of the main characters who share a bicycle. Guei as new immigrant to Beijing owns a bike that he ends up sharing with a seventeen year old boy, Jian, from a upcoming Beijing family. There is a kind of bike "crew" not really a gang or a club but bunch of boys who do some tricks both nasty and technical.

I wondered if the movie showed the last visage of the old Beijing hamlet/towns that one used find in Beijing before the Olympics. The movie is from 2001 and so Beijing is surely different now.

I liked the close-ups most in the beginning of the film of Guei the immigrant and his co-workers, they become carriers in Beijing.

[Anonymous]

The choices at the library are very interesting, however I had left my recommendations from Dr. Ye at home. So off the cuff I decided to try something new. Although I intend to go back and get Hero, Eat Drink Man Women, etc. I found a "modern" Chinese movie, "Hooked on You". A "Chick Flick" if you will. This, of course, is not really a movie to show in the classroom, although maybe clips to show modern life. I found it an interesting comparison to modern Hollywood films. The girl in this movie has a "specific" plan for her life and doesn't want to detract from it. It's interesting because she is conflicted between duty: to her father, to his debt, to her plan, and what she really wants. In the end when she finally gives in to what she really wants, it is too late. Unlike a Hollywood movie with the "happy" ending. To be honest, I was very bummed with the ending because I like "happy" endings. This movie did really show a "modern" "independent" Chinese woman, which was good to see, after hearing how woman were in ancient China

[Anonymous]

Netflix continues to bring Asian cinema to one's home. Recently I've been enjoying Thai movies.

There was 2008's: Chocolate
Acclaimed Thai action director Prachya Pinkaew helms this martial arts drama, which follows Zen (JeeJa Yanin), a young autistic woman who discovers that she has the uncanny ability to absorb precision fighting skills just by watching martial arts movies. When her cancer-ridden mother's creditors come calling, Zen attempts to settle the debts by standing up to a hard-nosed gang of criminals who have wrongfully swindled money from her family.

I don't know what's suitable for high school, but it wasn't sexed up or too violent.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:05:19 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Action explodes on-screen in this cinematic re-creation of one of the grandest battles in Thailand's history. As King Textron struggles to shield his Ayuthaya Kingdom from the spears of Myanmar invaders, his wife, Queen Taya, is airing her passions with a dashing swordsman. Little does she know that her lover may actually be a Myanmar traitor with plans to bring down the Ayuthaya Kingdom from within.

Based on the historical facts of the founding of the Thai modern state, this movie held my interest but was a bit far-fetched. Knowing some of the historical data will help you weed out the drama from the realism.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:04:57 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

When a sacred Buddha statuette called Ong-bak is stolen from Ting's (Tony Jaa) village by a shady businessman intent on realizing a profit from his ill-gotten gain, Ting takes it upon himself to reclaim the pilfered religious treasure by following the trail of clues to Bangkok. And Ting's the right man for the job, as he possesses an impressive array of Muay Thai fighting skills that can lay out all his adversaries.

This movie is a pop breakthrough in Thai cinema. Tony Jaa is touted as the next Jackie Chan. This is a fun movie to watch and for those who have been to Thailand can enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. High school appropriate?[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:04:37 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

With plenty of martial arts action and a hefty dose of Thai humor, this crime comedy tells the story of hapless personal bodyguard Wong Kom (writer-director Petchtai Wongkamlao). When his failure to protect his boss, successful businessman Choti, leads to the magnate's death, Choti's son fires Wong. But he soon has a chance to redeem himself when a gang of clumsy hit men -- intent on gaining control of Choti's fortune -- targets the son.

Some movies are pretty bad, but enjoyable. The director and main star is famous in Thailand for his humor and antics and this movie doesn't disappoint in that department. It's more slapstick than anything but worth a look if only to see that Thai cinema can move beyond the serious period dramas, and sappy soap operas and tear-jerkers.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:04:18 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

The Secret Service enlists flatfoot Kum Lhau (Petchtai Wongkamlao) to infiltrate a Thai record label, where he's tasked with investigating covert weapons dealings while masquerading as a pop singer -- but before long, he becomes the country's biggest music star. Meanwhile, he discovers that a co-worker (Jacqueline Apitananon) is a CIA operative assigned to the same mission in this fast-paced action comedy also starring Janet Khiew.

Even worse than the first, you'll be shaking your head at the recycled jokes from the first movie (think Airplane! 2). This movie is really a prequel to the first, and the star is really the reason one sticks around to see this flick.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:04:03 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Two Mafia kingpins vie for control over Bangkok's Yaowarat district in this action-packed thriller. When a hired killer hits his intended target, the truce between rival underworld crime bosses Tong and Dada is over, sparking an all-out gangland war. Local ammo stores run out of stock as the enemy syndicates fight to the death to rule Yaowarat. Shahkrit Yamnarm, Darawan Wilaingam, Suwannaparp, Suthida Harnwisej and Sattawat Dullayawijitt star.

What makes this movie interesting is that it takes place exclusively in the Chinatown portion of Bangkok. Some parts unsuitable for children, but a interesting look at a part of Thailand many people forget exist.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:03:45 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

In this sadistic horror tale set in ancient Thailand, Lord Rama showers favors and affection on his many young concubines -- a policy that doesn't sit well with his jealous wife. Unable to bear Lord Rama a child, his bitter wife is determined to punish all those who are able to deliver what she cannot. Thavachai Minmukda and Chutima Avery star in this erotic chiller from director Jarin Vongraen.

A period piece set in ancient Thailand and interesting enough if only for the setting and costumes. The cover reflects erotic, and the title horror - it's neither. It isn't really that good either, but worth a look if ancient Thailand is your kick.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:03:29 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Villainous sorcerer Mahesak (Amornrit Sriphung) and his vicious gang can be taken down only by the mythical Tiger Blade, and it's up to rebel cop Yosthana (Atsadawut Luengsuntorn) and his sexy sidekick, Deungdao (Phimonrat Phisarayabud), to find the sword and save the city. Chalad Na Songkhla co-stars as the deadly Five Bullets Bandit in this Thai action fantasy with a playful sense of humor.

This was a fun movie. A buddy picture with magic, humor, action, and explosions. I think this is the movie I saw with the Tuk-Tuk chase scene a-la The Italian Job with the Mini Coopers.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:03:11 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

An abstract drama told in two parts, this Thai film uses poignant and humorous memories from director Apichatpong Weerasethakul's childhood to simply evoke emotions as well as tell the story of his parents' budding relationship. Though the settings of each part are similar, one centers on a woman physician at a small clinic, and the other on a male doctor at a metropolitan hospital, and both include semblances of his parents' courtship.

I was made to turn this off within 15 minutes because of the slow pace, but I promise myself that I'll go back to it some day.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:02:54 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

After witnessing the brutal murder of his parents, young Jone (Dan Chupong) vows to avenge their deaths and make the killers pay, a mission that lands him in the dangerous world of cattle rustling. Spurred on by his grief and a desperate need for revenge, Jone sets out to catch the culprits and return the stolen cattle to their rightful owners in this supernatural thriller set in 1920s Thailand.

Fun and over-the-top movie. Magic, roaring 20's, western, and Thai all mixed into one movie. I mean come on the guy rides on top of a giant stick of dynamite! These funny movies (subtitled) are a good way to introduce students to foreign movies that don't have to have "a theme" or "meaning." Too often foreign movies are made with some message and the room begins to snooze. Students need to know that beyond Jackie Chan and the Yakuza, there are other types of Asian cinema that can be incorporated into their viewing routine.[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:02:35 PM"][/Edit]

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