Carol's Journey was a very touching film. Although I feel like I was able to understand most of the plot without subtitles, I think I would have better understood more of the significant details of the film if I had known what they were saying, not just relying on reading their expressions and body language. A taste of how alienated someone feels when you can't understand what someone is saying to you.
Carol seemed to easily adapt to some of the conventionalisms found in this culture. As far as language, she adapted very easily as apparently she spoke fluent Spanish due to her mother's heritage. We see her resisting some conventionalisms in the areas of religion and family. Catholicism being the prevalent religion of Spain, we see Carol depicted taking religion classes and participating in her first communion. She insists on wearing an outfit the boys wear for first communion, indicating her rebellious spirit. Carol develops a strong bond with her grandfather, her cousin, and the three boys from town. When she first arrives in Spain, Carol appears angry about the whole situation. One wonders if Carol sensed that this homecoming for her mother was in anticipation of her death and this was her resistence or defiance of this approaching situation? Carol never could develop a close bond with her aunt and uncle who became her caretakers after her mother's death. Her resistence to them led her to seek out her grandfather and get him to return to his home with her.
Carol's American background impedes her adaptation to the Spanish culture mostly due to her independent spirit. She typically dresses more like a tomboy than as a girl. She dresses the way she feels most comfortable, with overalls, gym shoes and short hair. She climbs trees, rides bikes, physically fights for what she wants,and has more of a cold climate personality-more aloof, introverted. Her diary is her constant companion. She is a mature child for her age. Unafraid of speaking her mind or challenging adults reflects some of her American spirit, which also would impede her adaptation to the Spanish culture. She also wants things her way, wants to call the shots, wants to be in control of situations, and is willing to force the issue, as noted in the way she dressed, insisting her grandfather not tell her dad about her mother's death, her outfit for first communion,returning to live with her grandfather instead of her aunt and uncle, and ignoring her grandfather until he paints over the graffiti on the walls outside the house. Her independent spirit was definitely reflected in her personality.
I thought this was really a good film and hope to watch it with subtitles at some point.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Volver
Volver is a film that can be considered a tribute to women. All of the women in this film faced hardships and adversity in their lives, took the bull by the horns (some more forcefully than others) and did the best with what they had been dealt.
The main character, Raimunda, had apparently been sexually abused by her father, which resulted in Paula, her daughter as well as her sister. Her husband, Paco, was also a loser-unemployed, beer drinking, attempting to molest Paula, while Raimunda worked numerous jobs to support the family. Raimunda disposes of Paco's body after he is killed as he tries to molest Paula, protecting her daughter from the emotional trauma of being arrested. Sole was a more timid personality but also independent as she opened her own "on the side" hair salon in her apartment to support herself after her husband leaves her. Irene, the mom of Raimunda and Sole, is also strong in that even though she could not confront her husband in the fact that he was molesting their daughter, she sets the hut on fire where her husband and Agustina's mother are having an affair. She is acting out on her inability to confront her husband and also her feelings about his infidelity, although I can't really say I would condone setting the place on fire. Irene hides out in Aunt Paula's home after the fire, caring for her sister as her health is declining and living as a recluse in Aunt Paula's home until Aunt Paula dies. Agostino is also a strong woman as she too lives independently, cares for Aunt Paula as her health is failing, and sets out on a quest to find her own mother before she dies of cancer. All of these women are fighting for their survival.
Superstition appears to be a normal occurrance in the Spanish culture, especially surrounding death. In the opening scene, ladies of the village are literally washing the grave stones of family members to keep them neat and tidy. I have to believe that superstition comes into play in this ritual or maybe it is just a tradition. When Aunt Paula dies, it becomes apparent that several of the towns people have seen the "ghost" of Irene and Agustina admits that on several occasions she has heard Aunt Paula talking to the ghost of Irene. These sightings do not seem to have instilled fear but are more of a matter of fact part of life, as if it is not unusual for ghost to return, to be seen, or talked to. Agustina seems to readily accept the fact that someone knocked on her door and whispered that Aunt Paula had died, resigned to the fact that the ghost of Irene had let her know of the death. When Sole hears a knock on her car trunk after returning from the funeral, although she is fearful she opens the trunk door to find her mother. Sole assumes she is a ghost, never once thinking that her mother is really there in the flesh and not a ghost. She asks the ghost if she has returned because she has left something undone, which seems to be a common theme or reasoning as to why a ghost would return to earth and not be able to rest in peace. Irene indicates she has some things to resolve, which seems to make the whole situation easier for Sole to accept. Sole accepts the ghost into her everyday life, telling others she is a Russian immigrant that she took in out of charity. When the family returns to La Mancha and Irene reveals herself to Agustina, Agustina calmly accepts that Irene is a ghost and she is there to help look after her until her death comes.
Overall, I enjoyed much of this film. It shows the tenacity of women that have been wronged. I don't think much of what they did as far as disposing of Paco's body and burning the hut with the lovers inside would be accepted at face value in the US with DNA testing and all the other technologies used to identify remains, etc. It was interesting to see how the town of La Mancha held onto their old ways and traditions even though this movie occured in the recent past, as shown in the traditions at the cemetary, the funeral and wake, and the obligation of taking care of family and one another. I was glad to see at the end that Raimunda and Irene were able to repair the rift in their relationship.
The main character, Raimunda, had apparently been sexually abused by her father, which resulted in Paula, her daughter as well as her sister. Her husband, Paco, was also a loser-unemployed, beer drinking, attempting to molest Paula, while Raimunda worked numerous jobs to support the family. Raimunda disposes of Paco's body after he is killed as he tries to molest Paula, protecting her daughter from the emotional trauma of being arrested. Sole was a more timid personality but also independent as she opened her own "on the side" hair salon in her apartment to support herself after her husband leaves her. Irene, the mom of Raimunda and Sole, is also strong in that even though she could not confront her husband in the fact that he was molesting their daughter, she sets the hut on fire where her husband and Agustina's mother are having an affair. She is acting out on her inability to confront her husband and also her feelings about his infidelity, although I can't really say I would condone setting the place on fire. Irene hides out in Aunt Paula's home after the fire, caring for her sister as her health is declining and living as a recluse in Aunt Paula's home until Aunt Paula dies. Agostino is also a strong woman as she too lives independently, cares for Aunt Paula as her health is failing, and sets out on a quest to find her own mother before she dies of cancer. All of these women are fighting for their survival.
Superstition appears to be a normal occurrance in the Spanish culture, especially surrounding death. In the opening scene, ladies of the village are literally washing the grave stones of family members to keep them neat and tidy. I have to believe that superstition comes into play in this ritual or maybe it is just a tradition. When Aunt Paula dies, it becomes apparent that several of the towns people have seen the "ghost" of Irene and Agustina admits that on several occasions she has heard Aunt Paula talking to the ghost of Irene. These sightings do not seem to have instilled fear but are more of a matter of fact part of life, as if it is not unusual for ghost to return, to be seen, or talked to. Agustina seems to readily accept the fact that someone knocked on her door and whispered that Aunt Paula had died, resigned to the fact that the ghost of Irene had let her know of the death. When Sole hears a knock on her car trunk after returning from the funeral, although she is fearful she opens the trunk door to find her mother. Sole assumes she is a ghost, never once thinking that her mother is really there in the flesh and not a ghost. She asks the ghost if she has returned because she has left something undone, which seems to be a common theme or reasoning as to why a ghost would return to earth and not be able to rest in peace. Irene indicates she has some things to resolve, which seems to make the whole situation easier for Sole to accept. Sole accepts the ghost into her everyday life, telling others she is a Russian immigrant that she took in out of charity. When the family returns to La Mancha and Irene reveals herself to Agustina, Agustina calmly accepts that Irene is a ghost and she is there to help look after her until her death comes.
Overall, I enjoyed much of this film. It shows the tenacity of women that have been wronged. I don't think much of what they did as far as disposing of Paco's body and burning the hut with the lovers inside would be accepted at face value in the US with DNA testing and all the other technologies used to identify remains, etc. It was interesting to see how the town of La Mancha held onto their old ways and traditions even though this movie occured in the recent past, as shown in the traditions at the cemetary, the funeral and wake, and the obligation of taking care of family and one another. I was glad to see at the end that Raimunda and Irene were able to repair the rift in their relationship.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Guantanemera
The film, Guantanemera, is representative of Hispanic, and specifically Cuban culture. This film occurs across Cuba as the body of Yoyita is transported to Havana for burial. The strength of family, tradition of the funeral, religious influences, and the aspect of machismo are representative of the Hispanic culture. The types of music, elements of witchcraft, types of food and drink, and cigars are reflective of the Cuban culture.
Family dynamics are evident in several scenes in this film. Yoyita returning to visit with Gina, the devotion shown as Gina, Candido, and Adolfo (but for different reasons) accompany Yoyita's body to her final resting place express the strong family bonds of Hispanic culture that encompass even extended family.The traditions of Catholicism are evident in the many churches that are seen in the footage and the tradition of the funeral and burial. The machismo attitude of the men in this film exemplifies Hispanic culture. Adolfo's self-centeredness motivating him to create this relay system in funeral arrangements to elevate his status within the political system, his crass attitude toward Gina dictating the clothes she wore, the way she wore her hair, and his general lack of recognition of other's feelings (as seen when the laboring women needs transportation to a hospital) depict him as a "macho man". Mariano, with his women in every town and his action of running away from the one that claimed she was pregnant, also shows the machismo attitude.
Cuban cultural elements were reflected in the type of music in the film. Mambo and salsa rhythms were evident. Music in Cuban culture is an integration between Spanish and African cultures, creating a distinctive rhythm that is associated with the Caribbean area. Witchcraft is practiced by some in Cuba, depicted when Ramon blows cigar smoke on the tires and fans palm leaves at the truck for safe travel before they head out on their journey. The struggling Cuban economic system of the time is reflected in the dilapidated buildings, the closed shops, smuggling of foods like bananas and garlic due to rationing of food items, as well as the acceptance of only the dollar at some of the vendors throughout the country. The system of picking up people with no mode of travel I thought was interesting as apparently any open seat while traveling is fair game for the government to place someone in that seat. We see this when the truck takes on large groups of people and when Adolfo agrees to let Candido go on the funeral journey to occupy a seat, so they will not need to pick up another rider. Again, this shows Adolfo's self consumption. Coffee was a staple as the group traveled, as well as tea and rum. An interesting point I read was that the coffee that is served in Cuba is not usually that which is grown there, but is imported, as the coffee grown in Cuba is of such high quality, it is exported for profit. Cuban cigars are a historically notable commodity of the country.
Cultural elements were very evident in this film and added to the flavor of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this film and found it interesting the way culture was such an important aspect of how the film communicated this story.
Family dynamics are evident in several scenes in this film. Yoyita returning to visit with Gina, the devotion shown as Gina, Candido, and Adolfo (but for different reasons) accompany Yoyita's body to her final resting place express the strong family bonds of Hispanic culture that encompass even extended family.The traditions of Catholicism are evident in the many churches that are seen in the footage and the tradition of the funeral and burial. The machismo attitude of the men in this film exemplifies Hispanic culture. Adolfo's self-centeredness motivating him to create this relay system in funeral arrangements to elevate his status within the political system, his crass attitude toward Gina dictating the clothes she wore, the way she wore her hair, and his general lack of recognition of other's feelings (as seen when the laboring women needs transportation to a hospital) depict him as a "macho man". Mariano, with his women in every town and his action of running away from the one that claimed she was pregnant, also shows the machismo attitude.
Cuban cultural elements were reflected in the type of music in the film. Mambo and salsa rhythms were evident. Music in Cuban culture is an integration between Spanish and African cultures, creating a distinctive rhythm that is associated with the Caribbean area. Witchcraft is practiced by some in Cuba, depicted when Ramon blows cigar smoke on the tires and fans palm leaves at the truck for safe travel before they head out on their journey. The struggling Cuban economic system of the time is reflected in the dilapidated buildings, the closed shops, smuggling of foods like bananas and garlic due to rationing of food items, as well as the acceptance of only the dollar at some of the vendors throughout the country. The system of picking up people with no mode of travel I thought was interesting as apparently any open seat while traveling is fair game for the government to place someone in that seat. We see this when the truck takes on large groups of people and when Adolfo agrees to let Candido go on the funeral journey to occupy a seat, so they will not need to pick up another rider. Again, this shows Adolfo's self consumption. Coffee was a staple as the group traveled, as well as tea and rum. An interesting point I read was that the coffee that is served in Cuba is not usually that which is grown there, but is imported, as the coffee grown in Cuba is of such high quality, it is exported for profit. Cuban cigars are a historically notable commodity of the country.
Cultural elements were very evident in this film and added to the flavor of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this film and found it interesting the way culture was such an important aspect of how the film communicated this story.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
La Historia Oficial
La Historia Oficial, I believe, is one of the most moving films we have viewed so far in this class. I think many of us can identify with this film, being mothers and fathers,knowing that we might do the same things in our own lives if we were in a similar situation.
Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel for Gaby? The hope is that there will be, although life as she had known it may be very different. Best case scenario would be she would eventually learn the truth about her parents and be known by her true family, while maintaining the love and support of her adoptive family members.
Gaby is a 5 year old girl adopted by the affluent Alicia and Roberto as an infant. She is very much loved and pampered by her adoptive parents. As the story unfolds, Alicia, who initially is naive regarding the political situation occurring over the past several years, begins to wonder about the adoption process that surrounded their adoption of Gaby after a reunion conversation with her high school friend Ana. Ana alludes to the fact that many people "disappeared" during this political regime, and many of the women that were pregnant had their babies given over to high political and military officials. This conversation stirs wonder in Alicia as she has never been given any details of the adoption, it was all handled by Roberto. As Alicia begins her search for information regarding the adoption, she is met by many obstacles but eventually meets Sara, the possible grandmother of Gaby. Sara's daughter "disappeared" when pregnant and when Alicia sees a picture of Sara's daughter as a child, she realizes the strong resemblance between the daughter and Gaby. Alicia attempts to present Sara and the possibilities to Roberto, but is met with strong resistance involving Roberto physically assaulting Alicia, Roberto being desperately stressed regarding his work/political situation and now being confronted with the possibility of loosing his child. In a final scene when Alicia takes her purse and walks out the door, we do not know when or if the family will reunite.
The controversy between fact and emotion are meant to evoke the mood of hope and hopelessness in reaction to a war environment. Facts are clear cut, emotions are based on feelings created from past experiences.
The demonstrations by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo for the "disappeared" depict the fact of the disappearance vs. the emotional aspect of not being able to find a beloved family member,evoking a hope for answers with a realization that it may be an effort in futility.
Alicia's quest for information about Gaby's parents also demonstrates this. Fact is that she knows Gaby was adopted, emotion is she really doesn't want to find out that Gaby's mother was one of those that had "disappeared". Her hope is she will find definitive information disproving her fears, hopeless in the eventual realization she will never have definitive proof. Alicia's goal is for clear answers but in reality she finally understands she will never get those answers. Alicia's hope is the truth for Gaby, hopelessness in knowing the truth could destroy her family.
Alicia's confession to the priest is a mixture of hope and hopelessness, again based on the facts/emotion of the situation. Her desire for the truth (hope) is met by a brick wall of the priest (hopelessness).
This film is factual in that it was based on actual events that transpired related to the war environment in Argentina. We see how the people were effected emotionally related to events that occurred (Ana, Grandmothers) and how hope for information and closure was sustained through their efforts, but also hopelessness in many times never gaining closure.
I really struggled with answering this question and could be way off in my response. Hope to gain more insight from other's blogs.
Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel for Gaby? The hope is that there will be, although life as she had known it may be very different. Best case scenario would be she would eventually learn the truth about her parents and be known by her true family, while maintaining the love and support of her adoptive family members.
Gaby is a 5 year old girl adopted by the affluent Alicia and Roberto as an infant. She is very much loved and pampered by her adoptive parents. As the story unfolds, Alicia, who initially is naive regarding the political situation occurring over the past several years, begins to wonder about the adoption process that surrounded their adoption of Gaby after a reunion conversation with her high school friend Ana. Ana alludes to the fact that many people "disappeared" during this political regime, and many of the women that were pregnant had their babies given over to high political and military officials. This conversation stirs wonder in Alicia as she has never been given any details of the adoption, it was all handled by Roberto. As Alicia begins her search for information regarding the adoption, she is met by many obstacles but eventually meets Sara, the possible grandmother of Gaby. Sara's daughter "disappeared" when pregnant and when Alicia sees a picture of Sara's daughter as a child, she realizes the strong resemblance between the daughter and Gaby. Alicia attempts to present Sara and the possibilities to Roberto, but is met with strong resistance involving Roberto physically assaulting Alicia, Roberto being desperately stressed regarding his work/political situation and now being confronted with the possibility of loosing his child. In a final scene when Alicia takes her purse and walks out the door, we do not know when or if the family will reunite.
The controversy between fact and emotion are meant to evoke the mood of hope and hopelessness in reaction to a war environment. Facts are clear cut, emotions are based on feelings created from past experiences.
The demonstrations by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo for the "disappeared" depict the fact of the disappearance vs. the emotional aspect of not being able to find a beloved family member,evoking a hope for answers with a realization that it may be an effort in futility.
Alicia's quest for information about Gaby's parents also demonstrates this. Fact is that she knows Gaby was adopted, emotion is she really doesn't want to find out that Gaby's mother was one of those that had "disappeared". Her hope is she will find definitive information disproving her fears, hopeless in the eventual realization she will never have definitive proof. Alicia's goal is for clear answers but in reality she finally understands she will never get those answers. Alicia's hope is the truth for Gaby, hopelessness in knowing the truth could destroy her family.
Alicia's confession to the priest is a mixture of hope and hopelessness, again based on the facts/emotion of the situation. Her desire for the truth (hope) is met by a brick wall of the priest (hopelessness).
This film is factual in that it was based on actual events that transpired related to the war environment in Argentina. We see how the people were effected emotionally related to events that occurred (Ana, Grandmothers) and how hope for information and closure was sustained through their efforts, but also hopelessness in many times never gaining closure.
I really struggled with answering this question and could be way off in my response. Hope to gain more insight from other's blogs.
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