The Road Home & Beastly: Part Three

Zhang Yimou

It is believed Zhang Yimou chose to write The Road Home as a fairy tale through myths because it gives people the imagination of what an actual true love story could be like.  For an example, Zhao falls in love with the new school house teacher.  Even though she does not attend and seem a bit younger than him, she "follows" him in the chance he might see her.  In the end of the film Zhao awaits months for her true love to return back to the village.  I believe if this was an actual real life story many young girls would not wait months for their "true" love to return back.  Everyone enjoys true love stories, it warms the heart and brings insight on the viewers.  By adding the myth of "true" love will always return gives the film a special place in everyone heart.  It shows that "true" love like this can still happen, and give the younger generation something to look forward to when the time comes to find the perfect partner.  

 

The Road Home & Beastly: Part Two

The Road Home and Beastly's, main characters parallel the same behaviors.  As shown above the teacher is looking at Zhao as she is walked away as if this was going to be the last time he sees her.  In Beastly, Hunter (Kyle) is looking at Linda the same way the teacher looks at Zhao.  There behavior of loving a women is clearly shown. This shows the men are more outgoing and willing to start and continue the conversation or relationship.  As for Zhao and Linda they show a passive meek appearance.  Throughout the film The Road Home, Zhao cooks, cleans and takes care of her family.  Her main responsibility is caring for others and making sure everyone is happy, but also takes time for herself such as, listening to the teacher teach, making decorations for the class room or simply taking walks.  In the film Beastly, Linda is a full time student who wants to better herself in hopes of the perfect job.  As Linda's father get sick she is there for him as Zhao is for her mother.

The two pictures above represent visual style for both The Road Home and Beastly. The two main characters Zhao and Linda are shown to be passive and meek, although show compassion to the one they love.  Above it is clearly seen the women looking in a loving and caring manner to their man.  They show the loving smile that can carry anything, and that they will always be with them.

Final Presentation Proposal- Beastly and The Road Home

The Road Home (1999), directed by Zhang Yimou begins when a country girl and a young teacher fall in love. Unfortunately, the courtship was interrupted when Luo was summoned by the government to return to the city.  Luo was kept away from the village for a few years until he finally returned. Beastly (2011), directed by Daniel Barnz begins when Kyle an arrogant and vain wealthy young man suddenly becomes a bald, tattooed, and scarred shell man.  After hiding from his flaws alter-ego "Hunter" falls in love Lindy.  Alter-ego Hunter writes a letter professing his love for Lindy but does not give it to her for fear of rejection. The Road Home and Beastly mirror the same plot; Luo leaves as so does Kyle, both Luo and Kyle love the young women they long to be with.  After absence of both Luo and Kyle for quite some time they finally come back and to be with the love of their lives.

The Shallows/ Music

 This film has a haunting, terrifying sound as the shark is coming closer.  You can hear the sound of the chains under the water like they are almost going to break in half.  Also, the way the buoy is swaying back and fourth from the sound of metal creaking.

India

Next Stop; India
To represent India our class watched a film directed by Deepa Mehta; Water. Throughout the film there are cultural/spiritual perspectives.  The spiritual importance of the physical object of water is an example.  The water is obtained from the Ganga River, which is considered the most sacred river in the Hindu religion. When "Auntie" was dying water from the Ganga River had to be present as it would cleans her soul and send her to heaven.  Another example of water from the Ganga River is when all the women go to bath, or freshen up.  This shows purity in the water and sacredness.  

Special Effect: Jumper

South Africa

Next Stop; South Africa 

To represent South Africa our class watched a film directed by Gavin Hood, Tsotsi. Music is a main focus throughout this film, both appropriate and inappropriate.  In the beginning of the film African music is played to set the tone for the audience. Music is a way of life for South African men, women and children.  The young men listen to the music at the local bar and also in their hunts.  An inappropriate way music is played in this film is when the young women was shot by Tsosti, and the music in the car was blaring.  Another example is when the baby Tsosti was taking care of was crying in the background, so Tsosti turned up the music in his hunt so his friends would not hear the baby crying.  It is clear music plays a big role in South African men and women, both positive and negative.