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.  

GIF

New Zealand

Next stop; New Zealand

To represent New Zealand, our class watched a film directed by Witi Ihimarea, The Whale Rider.  Throughout this film there are aspects of historical concept. One example of history is, passing down the ancient custom of chiefdom in the Maori tribe.  In this film Pai's twin brother dies at birth who was the selected child to be the next chief. Becoming a chief shows respect, importance, and influential member in the community.  Another example is, Pai getting an acceptance from her grandfather, who is ultra-tradtional to his culture. Pai; according to her grandfather have specific "women" roles.  One being listening to the men when being told what to do.  Throughout this film Pai challenges her grandfather in hope to gain his acceptance of Pai being a girl. 

Camera Movement; The Road Home

                                                                                Zooming inward as shown above gives the feeling as if the people are important. The road they are on is important to them because it disguises between the city where the teacher is from and the village where the young girl is.  Finally, by zooming in at this particular part of the film shows how important these two characters are, and what the road means to them.           

A Question for you...

In The Road Home, why are looms important to the culture? In particular why the color red?

China

Next stop is China!

 

To represent China, our class watched a film directed by Zhang Yimou, The Road Home. There are many objects that have meaning behind them.  A bowl, and the food contain an important factor within the culture. Throughout the film a person can notice the many close-ups there are on bowls and food in them.  Bowels have history, they are often passed down from one generation to another, and tell a story.  The food is taught by the women to the younger generations to keep the family traditions.  Finally, The Road Home emphasizes on family, and traditions through the bowels and food cooked by the women. 

French New Wave

Our first stop around the world is France!

To represent the French New Wave, our class watched a film directed by Francois Truffaut, The 400 Blows. The film was shot with young troublesome boy, in the beautiful Paris, France. Throughout this film there is not much dialogue, but there are visual scenes to make a person wonder.  For an example, Antoine shares some of his private moments as he lights a candle before a little shrine to Balzac in his bedroom.  Antoine told his story not through dialogue, but through expressions, movements and reactions that surrounded him. 

What is this?

This is an high-angle shot from the movie The 400 Blows. High-angle shots make the characters feel as if they are "swallowed up."  These characters seem vulnerable when applied to the current mood, setting, and its effects.

Who am I?

Hi everyone! My name is Marie Hoppe, I am a senior Nursing Student at Alverno College, and currently taking Film Around the World. I cannot wait to share my experience with you!