Dogville

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I know this isn't actually very relevent to East Asian Families, but the movie Quitting that we watched today in class reminds me a lot of the movie Dogville, which I highly highly highly recommend. Dogville, like some parts of Quitting, is set in a small town (called Dogville) on a black stage with only white chalk lines representing the buildings and walls of the town. It's so visually minimal, which I think allows more freedom for the viewer's interpretations and imagination. Lars von Trier directed it, and Nicole Kidman plays the lead, with Paul Bettany, Chloe Sevigny, and others too. This is one of my all time favorite movies and the acting and directing in it was superb.

With that said, however, it's a long and serious movie (about 3 hours) and at times slow, but really it has to be because it's setting up the mood of the town (if that makes sense). The ending is what makes the movie so if anyone decides to watch it, please please finish it.. the ending is.. well it dramatic. (Don't know if I'm allowed to say this but if anyone wants it I can send it to you through AIM or whatever, my sn's cktran86).

Having seen this movie first though, I think made me like the movie Quitting less than I would have; I think the way that Lars von Trier used the stage and play-like atmosphere was a lot more effective than Yang Zhang. That's just my opinion though...

Have any of you guys seen Dogville?

[Anonymous]

I have not seen Dogville but it sounds like a move I would love to see some day.

I love it when directors get creative and make movies with a distinct style like what Zhang Yang did in Quitting. I think Zhang Yang's approach to the movie was highly effective. Between the interviews, movie, and stage play it would have seemed too hodgepodge but I thought it was presented extremely clear to viewers AND made the movie that much more interesting. Also I have had very low expectations for most Asia-made movies. Except being exposed to so many Asian films this past year due to this GE CLST has changed my mind. But I was impressed by the quality of Quitting and it could easily compete with an American-made movie. The movie was neither cheesy or "off," both characteristics of Asian movies in my experience.

also in regards to unique directing style. Baz Luhrman does amazing work in Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet with Claire Danes. And my favorite movie stylistically belongs to Guy Ritchie's Snatch. So if you too are interested in movies with an atypical flair check out these three movies. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Anonymous]

I have seen dogville. I also liked the movie but it did not get much popularity when it was released here. I think there are elements in both movies that are similar for example, the set stage that has a play-like atmosphere. At the same time, I think the ideas behind the movie is completely different. For "Quitting" I felt like we saw the transformation of a man affecting, for dogville, I felt like I watched the corruption and transformation of a village that affects one person.

Well, overall, I would also recommend this movie to all my classmates.

[Anonymous]

"Quitting" was a really well made video. I thought the director's approach on how to renact the story was very unique. Closing off each dramatic scene and flashbacks really made it realistic and intriguing all the way through the movie. At the beginning i was a little lost, but towards the end of hte movie, it came together and the idea of the movie became much more clear.

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