Using Feature Films to Teach about China

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I have been using arts and music to teach the core subjects to my special education students. I find these media to be very useful in reaching students with special needs. Their effectiveness lays on the ease by which students of special needs relate to them. With the new lesson about feature films, I was provided with a new skill with which to teach my special needs students about the role of East Asian women, specifically, in China and Japan, using the animated movie "Mulan." Prof. Ye has given me a new insight on how to appreciate film as an art and, I think I can better teach my special needs with this new acquired skill from the East Asia seminar.[Edit by="ncastorillo on Dec 11, 9:52:22 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I was also very interested in the how the two Saturday sessions complimented each other and though about women's roles in feature films. I especially like that Hero features a strong female characters in the swordswoman. Most European/American films in history feature women in more docile roles. Or when they are strong characters, they're usually eccentric and crazy. My concern with using films to teach about Asia is that I'm not sure I have enough background knowledge to make unbiased comments or critques. I still have a lot to learn about various things in Asia history that present themselves in the films. I've been watching a lot of Anime, after the Images in East Asia workshop, and have though about using different clips to teach about food, language and culture, but realize I have a lot of research to do before I feel I can present these things in a real and respectful way.

[Anonymous]

I loved Professor Ye's presentation on film as well. He is so passionate about the subject that it really makes one reevaluate the way to approach film critically.

Just a quick thought - for those of you interested in immigration issues (or just want a really wonderful cinematic experience), I recommend one of my favorite films of all time, "Comrades: Almost A Love Story" (1996), directed by Peter Chan. It is beautifully written, intricately made and very well-acted. I don't want to provide any more detail, and I encourage you to trust me enough to see it without reading the plot synopsis, because if you enjoyed the other film selections Professor Ye showed, you will love this one. It's available on Netflix, and I think I have seen it in video stores with decent foreign film sections.

If you do see it, PLEASE let me know what you think!

-Miranda[Edit by="miranda k on Dec 12, 5:45:15 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recommendation. I liked the presentation from the professor as well. In particular I liked "Eat, Drink, Man, Women". The interaction of characters is very universal. [Edit by="eamador on Jan 11, 3:55:27 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="eamador on Jan 11, 3:56:04 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I have not yet seen this movie, Miranda. I will try to find it on Netflix when I get back from the East Coast. I was vefry happy to receive that list of movies from Prof. Ye. I will endeavor to see all available movies within the next 6 months. However, I have seen 2 movies, within the last 2 days, one Chinese: "The Story of Qiu Ju", directed by Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers) with Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha), and one Korean: "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring", by Kim Ki-Duk. Both films are very unique. It is, generally, uniqueness, individuality, which, to me, furnish the characteristic of artistry. The Chinese filmis most interesting. It takes place during the cultural revolution. Mao's posters are affixed in public places, most people were red, green or blue colors. A stern, stoic look (resignation, complacency) appears on the characters faces. This film appears, to me, a very realistic representation of life in China during the '70s-'80s in remote, rural areas, the village, the district, the city, and Beijing. It is a progression of various phases which gives the viewer a glimpse of life in China during this period of time. The most fascinating element of the representative events depicted with simplicity, clarity, determination is indeed but one perfect representation of that Neo-realism about which we learnt from Prof Ye and as initiated by many of the classic Italian film directors of the '50s-'60s-'70s. The Story takes us, thanks to the vicissitudes of Qiu Ju, through the simple and clear judicial system of China. A wrong committed against Qiu Ju's husband by the village's Chief provides the spark igniting Qiu Ju's fervor and zeal to see justice done. It takes her stubborn, pig-headed, powerful, principled sense of justice to show the viewer the cultural revolution's judicial system at work. It also shows the unique humanity of Qiu Ju and her firm belief that the proper end will finally triumph. Does it? Well, you will have to see the film to find out. I know there was a seminar about Chinese Legal System at UCLA not too long ago. Unfortunately I was unable to attend. For anyone interested in the workings of the Chinese legal system before its Westernization, this film is a good introduction.
As to the Korean film, it is much simpler, but as poignant in its facility with which it seeks to "teach a lesson". The film reminds me of fables, or stories/tales with a moral teaching to be imparted to the reader/observer. It only has three characters. The dialogue is truly minimal. The physical action is just about non-existent. All communication appears to be conveyed via the visual medium: the choreographic takes, the facial and bodily expressions of the characters, the symbolic media employed, the very specific and few actions engaged in by the characters are truly uniquely communicative expressions of human emotions and senses which cannot and do fail in conveying the messages intended. This is a simpler and yet very effective film. Another great movie to be seen. I have enjoyed immensely the program offered and I am very happy I have participated in it. I regret that it has come to an end and that I will miss the opportunities of continuing exposure to East Asia's culture, history, political and social event. Thank you for the opportunity to attend and best wishes to all.

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