Movies, landscapes and different cultures...what difference does it make to your film experience?
October 16th 2006 11:47
I recently saw the Mongolian/German film, The Cave of the Yellow Dog. This is a gentle fable about the limitations of life and its acceptance. The film is a blend of documentary style film-making and drama that captures the traditional way of life of a real nomadic family with a warm-hearted story.
A small girl, Nansal discovers a dog in a cave and learns the painful lesson of letting go of want and desire when her father insists she cannot keep it as he feared it may have made contact with the wolves that prowl the area. This film is set in an ageless landscape where the outside world hardly intrudes, this is for lovers of the exotic.
I read one review that said it was a simple, whimsical story whose only difference is that it was set in Mongolia. I don't agree with this concept. Yes, it wasn't an intricate story, but that seemed in keeping with the culture. To me, the setting certainly did affect my perception of the film, it allowed me into a world that I wouldn’t normally have access to and this to me is one of the precious aspects of film that I relish.
What film/s have you seen with a landscape that made it memorable to you? The Passenger is another film that comes to mind with its vivid setting of Spain.
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
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so how was it?
As for atmosphere, The Harder They Come is a gritty, raw look at Jamaica...
And France looks incredible in Amelie Poulain!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I thought it was really good and so did my friends. The storyline is very gentle and the landscape alluring. It was intriguing to have such an insight into a Mongolian family and lifestyle. It was a film that I kept thinking of for a few days later. The contrast between our culture and theirs was astounding and quite mesmerising. I would recommend it if you feel like a tranquil peak at Mongolian culture. I was interested in it as it's by the same director who did Weeping Camel. I didn't see Weeping Camel, but apparently it's the better film of the two but did like Yellow Dog.
Ah yes, Harder They Come...yes, that is a good one for showing a different country. Yes, France did look beautiful in Amelie Poulain..aah, now I want to travel again......
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
Yep, I loved this movie, although The Story of the Weeping Camel is definitely a superior film. The setting is beautiful, the story is simple and you definitely get a great insight into Mongolian culture through watching both of these movies.
I think the movie The Road Home is a great movie of China. Again, this is a beautiful, simple story. I have to admit to not really branching out much when it comes to foreign films - it's mainly restricted to China.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I really want to see The Story of the Weeping Camel. I don't think it will as good seeing it on DVD compared to the cinema, but I'm still looking forward to it. I think it will be my reward for finishing uni in a few weeks.
I haven't seen The Road Home but just looked it up on Google and it looks great. Another one to look forward to, thanks for the tip.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I just read a longer synopsis of The Road Home and it sounds very moving and sad. That's one of the things I really love about Arthouse/Foreign films, how they don't subscribe to the formulaic, predictable Hollywood style of films.
Tracy
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
Absolutely - and although I love a good Hollywood blockbuster it's amazing to be able to experience another culture through film.
The director of The Road Home, Zhang Yimou, is one of the greatest directors alive (in my humble opinion). So many fantastic films and all of them set in China, in Mandarin. When you finish uni and get around to doing all the things you've got on your list, you should try a few of his movies.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for the info on the film, it's definitely on my list.
Bye
Comment by Cibbuano
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Cave was good, but I thought Camel was a much more engaging movie...
"The Road Home" is excellent, though I would disagree with Karen that Zhang Yimou is China's greatest director. He's made a lot of bombs in recent years, losing his edge, I think. He's pandered to American audiences.
I'd also recommend "Shanghai Traid" and "Not One Less" by Zhang. Fantastic... I just watched "Not One Less" last night...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Since I wrote that post, I still haven't seen Weeping Camel and it's still on my list...That's great that you've seen them both.
I haven't seen any of Zhang Yimou's stuff, I'll look him up and have a read.
Thanks for popping back,
Tracy