Laurie Troutman
April 14, 2007
Professor Larry Tung
Paris Travel & Learn
Diary # 5
Three Colors:
Blue
The film Blue is a deep story that centers around a woman named Julie. As a result of her husband and child’s death, it showed how she continued to live on with her struggles of the accident. It was made in 1993, and was directed, produced, and written by Krzysztof Kireslowski. Blue was the first of a trilogy, which carried on to White and Red, based on the French Revolutionary Ideals. The film was nominated in 1994 for three Golden Globes. First for best foreign language film, second for best original score, and lastly for best performance by an actress in a drama for Juliutte Binoche, however none of which won.
The film started off with a car crashing into a tree. We see a man, a woman, and a child driving happily, smiling, racking jokes, and then the next minute a tragedy. The woman, Julie then awoke in the hospital clearly shaken and unaware of what happened. Abruptly she realizes that she just lost her daughter and husband in the car crash. Julie didn’t understand why she wasn’t taken with them. She didn’t want to be alive, so Julie broke into the medicine cabinet, and tried to commit suicide by taking the whole bottle of pills. Shortly after a nurse found her and made her spit out the pills, as Julie began to break down crying.
It was hard for Julie to get over her family’s death, because it was broadcasted on television. Her husband was a famous composer, and they were waiting for The Conort Unification of Europe song. As a result of his popularity, his funeral combined with his daughters was on television. This is were Julie begins to brake away from her past life. She isolations herself from friends and all memories, by selling all her old possessions and moving into the country side.
Julies emotions was hard to pin point at times. Most of the time she would sit motionless with a blank reaction on her face, not crying or showing grief. When Julie would sit and think of her past memories, a blue light and symphony orchestra would play. Like the name of the title, Blue is placed in the movie, shot with blue lights or filters. Citied on Wikepedia.com, “ The Blue hour comes from a French expression (heure bleue) which refers to the often magical hour experienced between the hours of daylight to darkness.” (Wikepedia.com) I feel the director used the blue light at moments to illustrate when Julie herself thought of her great life, but then those memories that went to darkness. I liked how the light and music was used together in the film, and thought it brought a deeper meaning to it.
Although Julie wanted to hide from her past life, it certainly did anything but. One thing she did was destroy the notes of the unfinished unification of Europe song, by throwing it into a garbage truck. Julie wanted nothing to do with or hear her husband’s music, although it followed her everywhere she went.
Some pieces of Julies life starting falling into her lap, even though she wasn’t ready for them. As a result of being lonely Julie begins to seek a companion, someone to talk to and that person was Oliver. Oliver, played by Benoit Regent, was her husbands side kick at work and they began an affair. I don’t think she understood how to handle the affair, but they grew to love one another.
As she continues her romance with Oliver, Julie comes to find out that her husband was having an affair, while they were married. How does someone deal with the emotion of hating, and loving someone at the same time? Here Julie is grieving for the death of her husband and at the same time, hating him for the affair. As if that wasn’t enough, she finds a picture of them together and finds out that the other woman is having her dead husband’s child.
At the end of the film, Julie visits her mother and says to her she wants no friends, no memories, no love. For Julie it’s hard for her to realize that her whole life was a lie, but in the same respect it wasn’t meaningless. That was her past, her memories, her family. Will Julie continue her late husbands music, or will it be gone like the rest of her life?
So, therefore does anyone really know their loved ones or what’s going to happen from one minute to the next. The answer is no, and for Julie she had to find out the hard way. I did enjoy the film Blue, it had different elements from other films. Such as the blue lighting, music, and unique set up of the structure of the film. The movie dragged me in visually, and kept me wanting more. I defiantly would like to watch the other films White, and Red to find out what Julie decided.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
French Film Diary # 4 Le Femme Nikita
Laurie Troutman
Professor Larry Tung
French Cinema/Travel learn
April 10, 2007
Film Diary # 4
Le Femme Nikita
When I first heard of Le Femme Nikita, I thought of the television series that I saw on the USA network many years ago. However this Le Femme Nikita is directed by Luc Besson, and was the first out of all of them. It was an early 90’s French film, filled with action, drama, crime, and romance. In 1992 it was nominated for a Golden Globe for best foreign language film. Unfortunately it did not win, but it is considered a great thriller.
The film begins with Nikita, played by Anne Parillaud, breaking into a pharmacy. The pharmacy is owned by one of her friends father, that was with her at the time. Nikita was not known for being the best teenager. She was nineteen years old, doing drugs and robbing stores. Breaking into the pharmacy was not a good idea. A huge shoot out with the police happened and Nikita’s group of buddies got killed. Nikita was the only one left, and ended up shooting a cop in the throat.
Consequently Nikita was caught and was put on trial for murder. She was found guilty and will serve thirty years without parole. However that will soon change for Nikita. Nikita awakens in a suspicious room, and is now in supervision of the French Intelligence Agency. She was given a choice to either become apart of the DGSE (French Intelligence Agency), as an assassin, or be killed. Nikita then took a hour to make her decision.
She decided to join, and save her life. They would teach her how to walk, talk, read, and fight to serve her country.
Nikita is then given a whole new identity. She has to become a new person, and leave her old life behind. She’s given a new name, Josephine, money to get started and get a place to live. Nikita resists at first, but then becomes motivated by her trainer.
The scene where Nikita followed the women in the grocery store was one that stood out in my mind. Here Nikita bought everything this woman bought because she didn’t know what to buy, or know how to be an adult. As checking out in the grocery store she didn’t even know how to put the food on the belt, she started to just dump the food rapidly. The young man, Marco, just started there and helped her kindly. Nikita took him by surprise and ask him to dinner at her place. He was never asked out by a woman before, and was pleasantly surprised and intrigued.
After her first mission was complete she was then free to live with her boyfriend, soon to be fiancé. She was taken to a fancy restaurant, where she was dressed and made up properly. She learned how to put on makeup, how to dress, and feel like a woman. Nikita had to kill the people sitting behind her including the body guards and get out alive. She was told she can get out through a window located in the restaurant bathroom. However that wasn’t the case, it was blocked by a brick wall. This was a test to see if she can handle the situation. If she made it out alive, she passed the test and would continue with the next assignment.
Nikita made it out alive, still just barley. Her career continues, where her next mission is to recover documents from a foreign embassy. The assignment goes completely wrong, where she ends up needing the services of a cleaner to destroy all the evidence, including herself. She pulls it together and then dresses up as the ambassador, and enters the office to take pictures of documents through a camera on her glasses. A surveillance camera and a guide dog catches her in action. Nikita’s cleaner is then shot to death in the car as they try to leave the embassy. Things went wrong, and lives were ruined. She would have to leave Marco, and start her life over once again.
So therefore, even though it was Luc Besson’s first breakout film, it was an incredible movie, with a terrific ensemble cast. When a film is remade as another film and then a television series, something was done right. I really like this movie because I never knew what was going to happen next. Le Femme Nikita , seemed like a modern day American James Bond film in some way. I would definitely recommend it to others. The only thing I would have changed is the ending. I know you can’t always have a happy ending, but for her I would of like that. In the beginning of the film I didn’t really like Nikita, but I grew to like her, and wanted her to succeed in life.
Professor Larry Tung
French Cinema/Travel learn
April 10, 2007
Film Diary # 4
Le Femme Nikita
When I first heard of Le Femme Nikita, I thought of the television series that I saw on the USA network many years ago. However this Le Femme Nikita is directed by Luc Besson, and was the first out of all of them. It was an early 90’s French film, filled with action, drama, crime, and romance. In 1992 it was nominated for a Golden Globe for best foreign language film. Unfortunately it did not win, but it is considered a great thriller.
The film begins with Nikita, played by Anne Parillaud, breaking into a pharmacy. The pharmacy is owned by one of her friends father, that was with her at the time. Nikita was not known for being the best teenager. She was nineteen years old, doing drugs and robbing stores. Breaking into the pharmacy was not a good idea. A huge shoot out with the police happened and Nikita’s group of buddies got killed. Nikita was the only one left, and ended up shooting a cop in the throat.
Consequently Nikita was caught and was put on trial for murder. She was found guilty and will serve thirty years without parole. However that will soon change for Nikita. Nikita awakens in a suspicious room, and is now in supervision of the French Intelligence Agency. She was given a choice to either become apart of the DGSE (French Intelligence Agency), as an assassin, or be killed. Nikita then took a hour to make her decision.
She decided to join, and save her life. They would teach her how to walk, talk, read, and fight to serve her country.
Nikita is then given a whole new identity. She has to become a new person, and leave her old life behind. She’s given a new name, Josephine, money to get started and get a place to live. Nikita resists at first, but then becomes motivated by her trainer.
The scene where Nikita followed the women in the grocery store was one that stood out in my mind. Here Nikita bought everything this woman bought because she didn’t know what to buy, or know how to be an adult. As checking out in the grocery store she didn’t even know how to put the food on the belt, she started to just dump the food rapidly. The young man, Marco, just started there and helped her kindly. Nikita took him by surprise and ask him to dinner at her place. He was never asked out by a woman before, and was pleasantly surprised and intrigued.
After her first mission was complete she was then free to live with her boyfriend, soon to be fiancé. She was taken to a fancy restaurant, where she was dressed and made up properly. She learned how to put on makeup, how to dress, and feel like a woman. Nikita had to kill the people sitting behind her including the body guards and get out alive. She was told she can get out through a window located in the restaurant bathroom. However that wasn’t the case, it was blocked by a brick wall. This was a test to see if she can handle the situation. If she made it out alive, she passed the test and would continue with the next assignment.
Nikita made it out alive, still just barley. Her career continues, where her next mission is to recover documents from a foreign embassy. The assignment goes completely wrong, where she ends up needing the services of a cleaner to destroy all the evidence, including herself. She pulls it together and then dresses up as the ambassador, and enters the office to take pictures of documents through a camera on her glasses. A surveillance camera and a guide dog catches her in action. Nikita’s cleaner is then shot to death in the car as they try to leave the embassy. Things went wrong, and lives were ruined. She would have to leave Marco, and start her life over once again.
So therefore, even though it was Luc Besson’s first breakout film, it was an incredible movie, with a terrific ensemble cast. When a film is remade as another film and then a television series, something was done right. I really like this movie because I never knew what was going to happen next. Le Femme Nikita , seemed like a modern day American James Bond film in some way. I would definitely recommend it to others. The only thing I would have changed is the ending. I know you can’t always have a happy ending, but for her I would of like that. In the beginning of the film I didn’t really like Nikita, but I grew to like her, and wanted her to succeed in life.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Movie Entry #3 Indochine
Laurie Troutman
Professor Larry Tung
Travel: French Cinema
Diary # 3
Indochine
Indochine, directed by Regis Wargnier, is a 1992 French film. This film intertwines both French and Vietnamese cultures. It voices the story of a young Indochinese girl named Camille. Camille’s character is played by Linh Dam Pham. Her mother in the film, Madame Eliane, is played by Cathrine Deneuve. She was nominated for best actress, however the film actually won for best foreign film in 1992. The roles these two woman play complete this film. They seek for love, passion and freedom in a world where it’s hard to come by.
Indochine, set in modern Vietnam, tells the story of young Camille. From very early on in her childhood, there was death, despair and sorrow. When she was young her parents died in a plane crash. Soon after little Camille was adopted by Eliane Devries, a French landowner. Since Camille was parentless and Eliane was childless, the two joined as one family together. Camille’s parents were Royalty, so when Eliane adopted Camille she inherited a great deal of wealth and properties of land. Madame Eliane a proud controlling woman, owned a rubber plantation. Despite her certain ways, it seemed she loved and took care of Camille unconditionally.
In addition to, Madame Eliane soon meet a young handsome French Marine, named Jean Baptiste. They begin a love affair that quickly turns from extraordinary to non existent. Eliane wanted to protect Camille of all her casual affairs, and to leave no trace of them. Eliane might have successfully hide her affairs from her daughter, but Eliane’s father was surely not amused. In his worries of losing his daughter, he offered Jean money. After arguing back and forth they settled on a high price. Until Jean turned to him and told him no, some things don’t have a price.
Afterward Jean Baptiste left and was not see again for a short time. Madame became distort over his absence, but hide her distress. When Jean arrived back, things would not be the same for anyone.
In the stages of growing up, Camille began wanting to know more about love. Who and when it would right for her? Simply in Camille’s tradition of culture, she was about to have a arranged marriage. She was writing letters and talking to a young man who was studying in France. However, a twist of events would soon change all that, upon Jean Baptiste re arrival.
In a near death experience, almost being shot by a French police officer, Jean comes to Camille’s rescue. As soon as Camille awakens she begins to fall in love with Jean instantly. You can see her love for him in her eyes. Camille goes to her mother and confides to her, her love for Jean Baptiste. Not telling her daughter a word of their previous affair, she had Jean sent way to a remote military location. Did she have the right? Madame controls everything around her, her daughter, colonies, like her father controlled her. She doesn’t want anyone around her to have freedom or make decisions for themselves.
Despite everything, this does not deter Camille, it perhaps even makes her stronger. Camille leaves her home and begins her journey to find Jean. Along in her travels, she finds a Vietnamese family. As a result she becomes close with them as they travel together.
Camille finally reaches the island where Jean is. However she comes to realize, the island is used as a slave market. Jean looks out into the crowd and spots a familiar face, it was Camille. He grabs her by the hand to bring her to safety once again. The other officers however become enraged in what Jean is doing. Camille quickly turns and sees the Vietnamese family she traveled with has been killed. Camille becomes infuriated, takes a gun and kills a French officer right in the head. Whisking her by his side, Jean takes her and they sail away. For days they sail and sail until they are rescued by communists, and are brought to a place where they can hide.
Upon their stay, Camille becomes pregnant, and delivers a healthy baby boy. Soon after, Jean and the baby are captured by the French, and Camille is captured and imprisoned as well. Shortly after that, Jean is then murdered while lying in bed with his son. The baby boy is brought to Madame Eliane, where he is raised by her from a young boy.
Madame Eliane meets with her daughter Camille when she is released. However, Camille tells her that she has seen to much and has joined with the communist party. When Madame and the boy (much older now) go back to France, they get a chance to meet Camille. You would think he would want to meet his mother, but he declines the offer. He feels that Madame Eliane has raised him his whole life, and that she is his mother, not Camille. Has he to been controlled and brainwashed by Eliane?
So therefore in watching the film Indochine, I felt it was sort of a soap opera. A romantic drama of love, religion, politics, and death. It centered on a mother and daughter who loved the same man. A daughter who wanted to find herself, love on her own, and wanted to be free. I thought the movie was good, but not my favorite out of the three movies I have chosen. It was a long film, that perhaps dragged on in some spots. However I did enjoy the ending and was intrigued in what was going to happen with the characters. The movie itself and cinematography was excellent. The different shots were unique in there style as well as the locations where the movie was filmed. Besides it being a dramatic beautiful movie, it was also was very rich in history and educational.
Professor Larry Tung
Travel: French Cinema
Diary # 3
Indochine
Indochine, directed by Regis Wargnier, is a 1992 French film. This film intertwines both French and Vietnamese cultures. It voices the story of a young Indochinese girl named Camille. Camille’s character is played by Linh Dam Pham. Her mother in the film, Madame Eliane, is played by Cathrine Deneuve. She was nominated for best actress, however the film actually won for best foreign film in 1992. The roles these two woman play complete this film. They seek for love, passion and freedom in a world where it’s hard to come by.
Indochine, set in modern Vietnam, tells the story of young Camille. From very early on in her childhood, there was death, despair and sorrow. When she was young her parents died in a plane crash. Soon after little Camille was adopted by Eliane Devries, a French landowner. Since Camille was parentless and Eliane was childless, the two joined as one family together. Camille’s parents were Royalty, so when Eliane adopted Camille she inherited a great deal of wealth and properties of land. Madame Eliane a proud controlling woman, owned a rubber plantation. Despite her certain ways, it seemed she loved and took care of Camille unconditionally.
In addition to, Madame Eliane soon meet a young handsome French Marine, named Jean Baptiste. They begin a love affair that quickly turns from extraordinary to non existent. Eliane wanted to protect Camille of all her casual affairs, and to leave no trace of them. Eliane might have successfully hide her affairs from her daughter, but Eliane’s father was surely not amused. In his worries of losing his daughter, he offered Jean money. After arguing back and forth they settled on a high price. Until Jean turned to him and told him no, some things don’t have a price.
Afterward Jean Baptiste left and was not see again for a short time. Madame became distort over his absence, but hide her distress. When Jean arrived back, things would not be the same for anyone.
In the stages of growing up, Camille began wanting to know more about love. Who and when it would right for her? Simply in Camille’s tradition of culture, she was about to have a arranged marriage. She was writing letters and talking to a young man who was studying in France. However, a twist of events would soon change all that, upon Jean Baptiste re arrival.
In a near death experience, almost being shot by a French police officer, Jean comes to Camille’s rescue. As soon as Camille awakens she begins to fall in love with Jean instantly. You can see her love for him in her eyes. Camille goes to her mother and confides to her, her love for Jean Baptiste. Not telling her daughter a word of their previous affair, she had Jean sent way to a remote military location. Did she have the right? Madame controls everything around her, her daughter, colonies, like her father controlled her. She doesn’t want anyone around her to have freedom or make decisions for themselves.
Despite everything, this does not deter Camille, it perhaps even makes her stronger. Camille leaves her home and begins her journey to find Jean. Along in her travels, she finds a Vietnamese family. As a result she becomes close with them as they travel together.
Camille finally reaches the island where Jean is. However she comes to realize, the island is used as a slave market. Jean looks out into the crowd and spots a familiar face, it was Camille. He grabs her by the hand to bring her to safety once again. The other officers however become enraged in what Jean is doing. Camille quickly turns and sees the Vietnamese family she traveled with has been killed. Camille becomes infuriated, takes a gun and kills a French officer right in the head. Whisking her by his side, Jean takes her and they sail away. For days they sail and sail until they are rescued by communists, and are brought to a place where they can hide.
Upon their stay, Camille becomes pregnant, and delivers a healthy baby boy. Soon after, Jean and the baby are captured by the French, and Camille is captured and imprisoned as well. Shortly after that, Jean is then murdered while lying in bed with his son. The baby boy is brought to Madame Eliane, where he is raised by her from a young boy.
Madame Eliane meets with her daughter Camille when she is released. However, Camille tells her that she has seen to much and has joined with the communist party. When Madame and the boy (much older now) go back to France, they get a chance to meet Camille. You would think he would want to meet his mother, but he declines the offer. He feels that Madame Eliane has raised him his whole life, and that she is his mother, not Camille. Has he to been controlled and brainwashed by Eliane?
So therefore in watching the film Indochine, I felt it was sort of a soap opera. A romantic drama of love, religion, politics, and death. It centered on a mother and daughter who loved the same man. A daughter who wanted to find herself, love on her own, and wanted to be free. I thought the movie was good, but not my favorite out of the three movies I have chosen. It was a long film, that perhaps dragged on in some spots. However I did enjoy the ending and was intrigued in what was going to happen with the characters. The movie itself and cinematography was excellent. The different shots were unique in there style as well as the locations where the movie was filmed. Besides it being a dramatic beautiful movie, it was also was very rich in history and educational.
Movie Entry #2 The Piano Teacher
Laurie Troutman
Professor Larry Tung
Travel Learn: French Cinema
Diary # 2
The Piano Teacher
The Piano Teacher is a 2001 French film, directed by Michael Haneke. The movie is based on the novel Die Klavierspieler, by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a startling and shocking film based on the life of lonely piano teacher. This dramatic film stars leading lady Isabelle Huppert and leading man Benoit Maginel. The uncut version I saw was very powerful and somewhat disturbing. It’s like no movie I have ever saw.
In The Piano Teacher, the music professor is played by Erika Kaput ( Isabelle Huppert.) Right from the beginning her life was somewhat mysterious. The film begins with Erika coming home after three hours late in the middle of the night. As a result her mother grew suspicious. Her mother lives at the apartment with her, who happens to be controlling, overprotective, and domineering. However, Erika and her mother’s relationship is an essential part in this film.
Erika is in her middle to late thirties, and seems bored with her life, as a piano teacher. She looks out the window, where she teaches music, dreaming, searching for an answer. Perhaps she’s in her own fantasy world. Erika seems alone and alienated from all, as she looks over France. Her life is standing still right before her eyes.
Erika knows she is a talented piano performer as well as teacher. Probably that’s why her attitude comes off as a stiff, and stoic. Although she bullies her colleagues with her straight forward opinions, they respect her as a performer. Erika continues to teach her students in a cruel and harsh matter. She demands perfection for them , because her life is not.
However upon meeting Walter (Benoit Maginel), the new young man, something begins to change. It is shown through her body language. Walter is also a performer, a young scholar who shares in her passions as well. Each time Walter begins to play her favorite song on the piano, a faint smile appears upon her face. She begins to look beyond his growing talent and appears to be quit drawn to him. As her feelings seem to be growing stronger, her true colors begin to show. Her hidden veil of obsession and desire is revealed.
The film continues, and Erika’s sexual life becomes shocking. These acts are to dysfunctional to even mention. However scenes like the porn video store, cutting herself in the bathroom, disfiguring a young girls hand, and the drive in movie theater, lay out the sequence for the film.
Finally, her relationship with Walter becomes less pretend and more real. Although Walter has to follow her rules only. Erika’s possessive and ill shattering desires captivates Walter. Both in a good sexual way, but then in a bad repulsive way. Her possessive ways stems back to the way her mother has treated her for all these years.
The film then becomes even more darker and deeper. Erika states to Walter that before anything sexual can begin, a letter will be delivered to him. This letter will contain her sick, fetish desires in which she explains in detail what she wants Walter to do to her. As a result of the letter, Walter is disgusted, and it will eventually end up with bad consequences.
Upon returning to the apartment, Walter becomes violently angry and locks Erika’s mom in her room. His anger is real. He begins to beat and punch her like she wished in the letter, but then tells him to stop She then falls to the floor, lying there helplessly, and he ultimately takes advantage of her sexuality. In the end they both go their separate ways with no mention of what happened. They see each other one more time, where Walter looks at her like a piece of garbage, a used piece of clothing. She then stabs herself and then exits the building.
So, therefore I say never judge a book by it’s cover. By looking at a person, you never know what’s really going on in their mind. To me Erika needs psychological help. Her love and hate for her mother has led to her lash out for attention, and do many crazy things. Her mother’s possessive and controlling behavior has resulted in Erika to crave sick fetish things and become jealous very easily. The scene where Erika crawled into bed with her mom, and began kissing her is what disturbed me the most. I know Erika’s pain is real and I felt it in that scene. She wants Walter to make he feel unworthy of herself, because she feels unworthy already.
Although the film was dark and severe, it was powerful. Going into the mind of a women who wanted to be wanted sexually, and desirable. It turned into the battle of man vs. woman. In the beginning of the film Erika had the upper hand. Then Walter ended up with the dominating role. This film just shows the lengths a person might go through to seek love from another.
Professor Larry Tung
Travel Learn: French Cinema
Diary # 2
The Piano Teacher
The Piano Teacher is a 2001 French film, directed by Michael Haneke. The movie is based on the novel Die Klavierspieler, by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a startling and shocking film based on the life of lonely piano teacher. This dramatic film stars leading lady Isabelle Huppert and leading man Benoit Maginel. The uncut version I saw was very powerful and somewhat disturbing. It’s like no movie I have ever saw.
In The Piano Teacher, the music professor is played by Erika Kaput ( Isabelle Huppert.) Right from the beginning her life was somewhat mysterious. The film begins with Erika coming home after three hours late in the middle of the night. As a result her mother grew suspicious. Her mother lives at the apartment with her, who happens to be controlling, overprotective, and domineering. However, Erika and her mother’s relationship is an essential part in this film.
Erika is in her middle to late thirties, and seems bored with her life, as a piano teacher. She looks out the window, where she teaches music, dreaming, searching for an answer. Perhaps she’s in her own fantasy world. Erika seems alone and alienated from all, as she looks over France. Her life is standing still right before her eyes.
Erika knows she is a talented piano performer as well as teacher. Probably that’s why her attitude comes off as a stiff, and stoic. Although she bullies her colleagues with her straight forward opinions, they respect her as a performer. Erika continues to teach her students in a cruel and harsh matter. She demands perfection for them , because her life is not.
However upon meeting Walter (Benoit Maginel), the new young man, something begins to change. It is shown through her body language. Walter is also a performer, a young scholar who shares in her passions as well. Each time Walter begins to play her favorite song on the piano, a faint smile appears upon her face. She begins to look beyond his growing talent and appears to be quit drawn to him. As her feelings seem to be growing stronger, her true colors begin to show. Her hidden veil of obsession and desire is revealed.
The film continues, and Erika’s sexual life becomes shocking. These acts are to dysfunctional to even mention. However scenes like the porn video store, cutting herself in the bathroom, disfiguring a young girls hand, and the drive in movie theater, lay out the sequence for the film.
Finally, her relationship with Walter becomes less pretend and more real. Although Walter has to follow her rules only. Erika’s possessive and ill shattering desires captivates Walter. Both in a good sexual way, but then in a bad repulsive way. Her possessive ways stems back to the way her mother has treated her for all these years.
The film then becomes even more darker and deeper. Erika states to Walter that before anything sexual can begin, a letter will be delivered to him. This letter will contain her sick, fetish desires in which she explains in detail what she wants Walter to do to her. As a result of the letter, Walter is disgusted, and it will eventually end up with bad consequences.
Upon returning to the apartment, Walter becomes violently angry and locks Erika’s mom in her room. His anger is real. He begins to beat and punch her like she wished in the letter, but then tells him to stop She then falls to the floor, lying there helplessly, and he ultimately takes advantage of her sexuality. In the end they both go their separate ways with no mention of what happened. They see each other one more time, where Walter looks at her like a piece of garbage, a used piece of clothing. She then stabs herself and then exits the building.
So, therefore I say never judge a book by it’s cover. By looking at a person, you never know what’s really going on in their mind. To me Erika needs psychological help. Her love and hate for her mother has led to her lash out for attention, and do many crazy things. Her mother’s possessive and controlling behavior has resulted in Erika to crave sick fetish things and become jealous very easily. The scene where Erika crawled into bed with her mom, and began kissing her is what disturbed me the most. I know Erika’s pain is real and I felt it in that scene. She wants Walter to make he feel unworthy of herself, because she feels unworthy already.
Although the film was dark and severe, it was powerful. Going into the mind of a women who wanted to be wanted sexually, and desirable. It turned into the battle of man vs. woman. In the beginning of the film Erika had the upper hand. Then Walter ended up with the dominating role. This film just shows the lengths a person might go through to seek love from another.
Movie Entry #1 Camille Claudel
Laurie Troutman
Professor Larry Tung
Travel Learn: French Cinema
Diary # 1
Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel, directed by Bruno Nuytton, was made in 1988. Camille Claudel was a biography inspired from the true life of the real Claudel. It was a movie that marked her life, struggles, passions, and destruction. The film was set in Paris, France in the late 1880’s to early 1900’s. Camille Claudel, was a sculptor and an artist, who fell in love with another famous sculptor, Auguste Rodin. Rodin was played by French native Gerard Depardieu, who has also crossed over to some American films, like My Father the Hero. Playing leading lady Camille, was actress Isabelle Adjani. Isabelle was a co- producer on the film and was also nominated for best leading actress. As a result of the remarkable ensemble cast, and cinematography, in 1989 Camille Claudel was also nominated for best foreign film. In watching this film I was inspired to write a diary, a different form for the summary. The diary will however reflect what I saw in the film, and what happen in the film. I wrote the diary from Camille Claudel’s point of view, as something she would have possibly wrote, being stuck in the asylum recapturing her whole life.
Dear Diary,
I am a lonely older woman now, stuck in an asylum in a world all my own. But my earlier years were filled with endless hopes and possibilities. From childhood on, I knew I wanted to be a sculptor, an artist. I could remember in the early 1880’s in Paris, I would sneak away to steal clay time and time again. I was a working artist, starving for that recognition. Would anyone ever see my work as art? My question was answered when famous sculptor Auguste Rodin entered my workshop for the first time. My life began that moment. He looked at my work and saw my talent. Others thought I needed lessons, but Rodin knew I would get better with practice. To prove to them I could sculpt, I sculpted a foot from the hardest stone out there. This was the first thing I made for Rodin, which he later signed. However after all the difficult times, (that I will soon tell) I threw the foot into the river. I was filled with rage and hate. Because of that sculpted foot, Rodin wrote me a letter asking me to work at his workshop. I jumped for joy, I was so happy. Here’s my chance, my dream. I soon became an inspiration for Rodin. He no longer knew what moved him, thou he thought I knew what moved me.
Soon after Rodin and I began a love affair. He was twice my age, but I didn’t care. I was his side kick, model, confidante, and lover. Is this th only reason why he loved me? Because I gave him ideas, his muse. However I graved is love. Love was not something that poured out in my family, my mother especially. She hated my love of art. She called me filth, a boy and wished I was never born. I never fully recovered from the rejection of my mother. My lost love from my mother was found in Rodin. As he loved me I became whole. That love grew even more when I became pregnant, I wanted to marry him. That’s when my whole life took a dramatic turn. What about that other woman? He couldn’t make a decision, he was confused. I wanted him to leave Rose, but he couldn’t. She was a crazy woman, who didn’t want to give him up. I remember the day she came to me when I was working at the workshop. She tried to burn my hands and threatened to kill me. My life was spinning out of control. Rodin still didn’t leave Rose, and as a result I aborted our child. I found solace at my brother’s place. He was always there for me when I needed him. As well as my father was. He supported me in my career path in the arts. I could remember when my dad said how disappointed he was in some decisions I made, but he still loved me. That’s more then I can say for my mother. Now with my romantic bond with Rodin finished, I began doubting my work. Destroying all my work, smashing them into pieces is all I could think of. I felt like I was being bashed, my whole life being taken away as each piece of clay lied naked on the floor. Separated from it’s sculpted piece. Was my life sculpted? Do I belong here? I ‘am I insane?
So, therefore there’s my summary of the film Camille Claudel. I felt the movie to be powerful and beautiful. For being one of my first French films, I was pleasantly surprised. Although at one point in the film it began to drag on. It was nearly a three hour movie and could have been cut in some spots. However the chemistry and bond between the characters left me wanting more. Camille Claudel was an impulsive woman, but also impressive. She went for what she believed in, and that was sculpting. I did feel sad for her though. Towards the end of film when she became depressed. Seeing her destroy all her works troubled me. How can someone create those masterful pieces, to then destroy them? The cinematography brought the scenes to life. The beautiful landscapes, and back drops of Paris were surreal. Overall I enjoyed this film, and perhaps because it’s a biography of a woman’s dramatic life I enjoyed it even more. The film captured her legacy of art, and dramatic life.
Professor Larry Tung
Travel Learn: French Cinema
Diary # 1
Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel, directed by Bruno Nuytton, was made in 1988. Camille Claudel was a biography inspired from the true life of the real Claudel. It was a movie that marked her life, struggles, passions, and destruction. The film was set in Paris, France in the late 1880’s to early 1900’s. Camille Claudel, was a sculptor and an artist, who fell in love with another famous sculptor, Auguste Rodin. Rodin was played by French native Gerard Depardieu, who has also crossed over to some American films, like My Father the Hero. Playing leading lady Camille, was actress Isabelle Adjani. Isabelle was a co- producer on the film and was also nominated for best leading actress. As a result of the remarkable ensemble cast, and cinematography, in 1989 Camille Claudel was also nominated for best foreign film. In watching this film I was inspired to write a diary, a different form for the summary. The diary will however reflect what I saw in the film, and what happen in the film. I wrote the diary from Camille Claudel’s point of view, as something she would have possibly wrote, being stuck in the asylum recapturing her whole life.
Dear Diary,
I am a lonely older woman now, stuck in an asylum in a world all my own. But my earlier years were filled with endless hopes and possibilities. From childhood on, I knew I wanted to be a sculptor, an artist. I could remember in the early 1880’s in Paris, I would sneak away to steal clay time and time again. I was a working artist, starving for that recognition. Would anyone ever see my work as art? My question was answered when famous sculptor Auguste Rodin entered my workshop for the first time. My life began that moment. He looked at my work and saw my talent. Others thought I needed lessons, but Rodin knew I would get better with practice. To prove to them I could sculpt, I sculpted a foot from the hardest stone out there. This was the first thing I made for Rodin, which he later signed. However after all the difficult times, (that I will soon tell) I threw the foot into the river. I was filled with rage and hate. Because of that sculpted foot, Rodin wrote me a letter asking me to work at his workshop. I jumped for joy, I was so happy. Here’s my chance, my dream. I soon became an inspiration for Rodin. He no longer knew what moved him, thou he thought I knew what moved me.
Soon after Rodin and I began a love affair. He was twice my age, but I didn’t care. I was his side kick, model, confidante, and lover. Is this th only reason why he loved me? Because I gave him ideas, his muse. However I graved is love. Love was not something that poured out in my family, my mother especially. She hated my love of art. She called me filth, a boy and wished I was never born. I never fully recovered from the rejection of my mother. My lost love from my mother was found in Rodin. As he loved me I became whole. That love grew even more when I became pregnant, I wanted to marry him. That’s when my whole life took a dramatic turn. What about that other woman? He couldn’t make a decision, he was confused. I wanted him to leave Rose, but he couldn’t. She was a crazy woman, who didn’t want to give him up. I remember the day she came to me when I was working at the workshop. She tried to burn my hands and threatened to kill me. My life was spinning out of control. Rodin still didn’t leave Rose, and as a result I aborted our child. I found solace at my brother’s place. He was always there for me when I needed him. As well as my father was. He supported me in my career path in the arts. I could remember when my dad said how disappointed he was in some decisions I made, but he still loved me. That’s more then I can say for my mother. Now with my romantic bond with Rodin finished, I began doubting my work. Destroying all my work, smashing them into pieces is all I could think of. I felt like I was being bashed, my whole life being taken away as each piece of clay lied naked on the floor. Separated from it’s sculpted piece. Was my life sculpted? Do I belong here? I ‘am I insane?
So, therefore there’s my summary of the film Camille Claudel. I felt the movie to be powerful and beautiful. For being one of my first French films, I was pleasantly surprised. Although at one point in the film it began to drag on. It was nearly a three hour movie and could have been cut in some spots. However the chemistry and bond between the characters left me wanting more. Camille Claudel was an impulsive woman, but also impressive. She went for what she believed in, and that was sculpting. I did feel sad for her though. Towards the end of film when she became depressed. Seeing her destroy all her works troubled me. How can someone create those masterful pieces, to then destroy them? The cinematography brought the scenes to life. The beautiful landscapes, and back drops of Paris were surreal. Overall I enjoyed this film, and perhaps because it’s a biography of a woman’s dramatic life I enjoyed it even more. The film captured her legacy of art, and dramatic life.
Steve's Thought's of Paris After the trip
Hello to all,
I am Steve, For the people who dont know me i am Laurie's boyfriend and i wanted to let everyone know what I liked about the trip. I think the best part of the trip was seeing Versailies, which was the castle of King Louis the XVI. And the worst part of the trip was the food. For all those people who went on the trip it was very nice to meet all of you and I had a great time. I will always remember the great time we all had in Paris.
I am Steve, For the people who dont know me i am Laurie's boyfriend and i wanted to let everyone know what I liked about the trip. I think the best part of the trip was seeing Versailies, which was the castle of King Louis the XVI. And the worst part of the trip was the food. For all those people who went on the trip it was very nice to meet all of you and I had a great time. I will always remember the great time we all had in Paris.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
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