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AnonymousOkay, so now I have to find The Way Home and rent and/or buy. I just wanted to reach out and hug the grandmother.
re.: JSA - I enjoyed the story and I could see how my boys would love it, but of course I wouldn't show the entire film in class. I think there are some good short sections to show. I need to read more about the DMZ and JSA, and then talk to them about it, and so some of the scenes where troops are near each other: the mine scene, the tourists,the snow scene. I think I might show them one of the suspense scenes, and then hope they might go out and rent this on their own.
AnonymousTwo great Korean movies! Several years ago I have seen The Way Home. Although the rural area of Korea is not appealing to a kid from an urban city like the little boy in the movie, the warmth and hospitality shown from the villagers have touched and moved this little spoiled child. This movie also discussed about the generational gap. I have shown this movie to my class and they love it because they can identify themselves with some of the themes described in this film.
Joint Security Area, the title of this movie, conveys a double message to the audience. If it is collaborative zone for both sides of Koreans, then why do they shoot each other at the end? Ironically, the Swiss UN officers have to be around to administer the brotherly fight, and yet they can do nothing about it except presenting so-called "evidences." At the end of the movie, the main character commits suicide for the repeated phrase from his Northern brother soldier: A soldier die with composure and bravery. A week ago, on my way to visit L.A. Chinatown in the front gate showed a Chinese character "yong" meaning "bravery," I found that it was hard to become a brave soldier in the chaotic war zone. No wonder on August 5, 2009, former US president, Bill Clinton, went to North Korea, as "a private citizen" to bring back two American journalists safely landing on the American soil. I have learned so much about the complexity of human sides, good and evil, that can do for all. julie
AnonymousI enjoyed the Korean film JSA last night although it took me awhile to sort out who was who and the logistics of the border. I had no idea how the DMZ operated and the tensions on both sides around that border. The film made a few aspects of the conflict more real to me.
I definitely would show clips from the movie: footage of the DMZ and the checkpoints, birthday gift-giving scene, etc. I think that many of my students would enjoy the film, boys more so than girls. I will consider it for an optional after-school viewing because I think it needs to be seen in its entirety to understand the dilemma of Korean vs. Korean and brotherhood between enemies. Based on my own difficulties making sense of the plot with little background information, I would definitely spend some time introducing the film and maybe even giving some brief character sketches (I wasn't sure who Oh was until near the end.)
I almost wished the English was also subtitled...I had a bit of trouble understanding the Swiss/Swedish diplomats.
AnonymousJSA reminded me of a short story "Cranes" set in the 38th parallel that I use in my classroom for theme. The story is about a North Kaorean soldier sparing the life of a South Korean because of a shared chidhood. Clips of the movie can be used in the classroom. [Edit by="gkhatkar on Aug 5, 12:10:57 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI thought back to our first film last week, "Not One Less" directed by Yimou Zhang, and thought of our readings in Korea today and yesterday. I felt like the main character, the teacher, had such an amazing disconnection to the rest of the world. Throughout the film we ponder whether or not this is occuring during the 1950's or perhaps the 1970's just because there is such a lack of technology and modern convience throughout the town. In fact, this story takes place in modern times and we see when our teacher ventures to the city and sees how expensive and different things are. To me, I immediately thought of the diffferences and disconnects between north and south korea. I thought it represented how unmodern the north could be and how difficult it would be for defects to resocialize into this radically different society. (a)
Also, I think I could use parts of this film to show the disparity and diffferences in various Asian societies. This could apply to China and Korea...even other Latin countries like those in South America.
[Edit by="djones on Aug 5, 11:22:18 AM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI enjoyed JSA. No nightmares, but it did remind me of my year abroad 1989-90 in Eastern Europe, particularly the border crossing between East and West Berlin and Romania. I still remember bribing border guards with Kent cigarettes to let us bring food from Hungary into Romania and the tensions after Ceausescu's execution. Even the interaction between the North and South guards reminded me of this. Although I don't think I can show all of the film to my students, I think some of scenes would give them an idea of what the joint security area is like as well as the rest of the DMZ. Hopefully it won't be too difficult to secure a copy of the film.
AnonymousIt took some reflection of the Not One Less movie to determine just how I would use this movie in my classroom. It would be beneficial to use it during my discussions on modern China, something my students are highly interested in. At the end of every year when we get into this information, I am always looking for more and better ways to describe modern China to my kids. They seem to think it is a fully modern country capable of destroying the US, whether it be in warfare or in economics, but they lack a complete understanding of what China is really like. It is hard to describe how the cities are modern while the county side is light years behind. This movie would be a great way of showing the students that disparity. I would probably show clips from the country and city rather than the whole movie, given that it is in a foreign language and the kids tend to have trouble following or paying attention.
AnonymousJoint Security Area was a great film. I really enjoyed learning more about this modern and very timely issue with the border of North and South Korea. The theme that I took away from the film was how on a very basic level we all are similar and want to be loved. We are more similar than different. The main 4 soldiers were caught up in their country's large issues. But once they took an interest in each other on a one-to-one level those negative perceptions and stereotypes just melted away. Each soldier in the end hid the fact that they had created a friendship, but for a few minutes they became brothers during a time when their countries were sworn enemies. I recall the famous story during World War 2 when the German and Allied troops put down their guns and shared Christmas together for one day. They went back to fighting in the trenches the next day. But for a moment they were brothers just wanting to connect during a time of great torment. The theme that we are all one really came through. I do wonder if the kind of relationship portrayed in the film is evident amonth the S and N Korean troops in real life.
AnonymousThe segment from 'the way home' was charming and I will view the entire film asap. The juxtaposition of rural life hardship and spoiled consumer-focused city youth is terrific.
JSA was a well crafted and clever film. The "spitting scene" was for me a possible metaphor for the North and South Korean peoples' behavior toward each other in general. They escalate hostilities toward each other half-heartedly, because underneath, they yearn for a reunification and feelings of brotherhood.
How easily the friends' joking becomes tense and serious when the subject is political ideology. Interesting that each side cannot understand and is astonished that the other side wouldn't want to 'defect'.
That the korean investigator does her job too well results in tragedies is interesting commentary.
AnonymousI loved "Not One Less" and I'm certain that my students will also enjoy it. The movie illustrated the contrast between the city and the country and I'm sure students would be very surprised to learn that the movie takes place in today's China. I think that besides showing many aspects of Chinese culture, the film has a great message for students: perseverance pays off. I especially liked the scene where the students stack bricks and then stand up for their pay. I think that was the turning point for the young teacher and after that small success, her motive was less about the money and more about getting the young boy back home and in school. I also liked the power of the "chalk," and how the students recognized that the chalk was so important and valued by their regular teacher but not by the substitute. Later, that chalk becomes the valueable ink that she must stretch to make the posters.
Initially the students may find the movies a bit slower than they are used to, but I think they will be roped in by the story and the cute kids. I think they will also appreciate the fact that the cast is not made up of professional actors.
AnonymousThe Way Home
The short segment of this film was entertaining enough to get me hooked so I will definitely rent this film and watch the entire film. I am going to take a wild guess and say that the little boy comes around and appreciates and grows close to his grandmother…if not I am sure that I will benefit by viewing the film. It is hard to plan without seeing the film, but it seems that this may be a film that I could show to my Culture classes, when we explore family traditions and structure. I look forward to sharing this with my students.
JSA
As sweet as the Way Home was JSA was emotionally draining! A classic tragic …who done it. JSA was riveting and I definitely think my students would enjoy this movie (if I had time to show the entire film). I see JSA as an anti war film in the same genre as All Quiet on the Western Front and Johnny Got His Gun. I believe the director was able to show the humanity of the North and South Korean soldiers; with first meeting they are enemies, each to be feared and then the North Korean shows compassion and helps the South Korean, and with that the wall is starting to crumble. I liked that the director had scenes, which were very humorous such as the spitting scene, and some very tense scenes such as the landmine scene. The final scene, left me speechless… I felt the pain of the two remaining soldiers. The director’s use of moving back and forth with light humor then high tension is what will keep the attention of my students. What may be difficult for my students to follow is the director’s technique of jumping back and forth between the past and the present.
[Edit by="kheukrodt on Aug 5, 10:08:23 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousThe JSA video was great. I definitely feel that I can incorporate clips to illustrate the Korean split. It also speaks to the human spirit. I thought it was great to see the soldiers playfulness despite being set in such a dangerous situation. The movie also raises the question of the possibility of this actually occurring.
I had also had not realized how dangerous the DMZ area was. This was great!
Thank you.
Anonymous"Not One Less" was extremely well done; especially since the actors were not professional. When Clay had mentioned this I was surprised.
Also, I have heard from business men who have been to China about the poor conditions in the rural areas. After seeing the movie, I think I could use it compare the conditions of our school system to the Chinese rural educational system as a means to discuss a variety of lessons.
The plot was a good monetary value lession, but it would also be a great discussion on how the young substitute learned how to value the little that the students did have. Many of our students look at the glass as half empty, instead of the glass as half full. Every person gain a bit of wisdom from each other. I learn from my students and am thankful for their patience with me as well.
In a nut shell, I love movies as a means to teach and I would like to show various clips to my students so they too could learn from this Chinese film as I did.
AnonymousJSA was a little to violent for me too! There is a lot that the movie offers on the human side of war. The world has gotten too violent and our kids should be steared away from the glorification of war that the new age of technology is promoting. The "roboting" of our kids could cause us to pay a heavy price. The movie reminded me of "All Quiet On the Western Front" Where soldiers reached the realization that they were killing soldiers not on account of personal spite or hate but "anothe uniform!"