Please watch a touch of sin, and In the mood for love. They are Chinese films. then respond to the following questions.
A Touch of Sin response–one page
Answer one or more prompts.
1. The film is inspired by actual stories. Think of a film that does something similar–tells a true story or is clearly inspired by a true story. Talk about themes and visual styles in each film, and reflect on why film takes the “true story” as inspiration.
2. Explain the film’s use of violence and how that violence contributes to the film’s more humanistic themes–exploitation of human by human, the ways societal institutions hurt individuals, etc.
3. Consider Jia’s attention to detail. What makes his style compelling?
Hong Kong film response–1/2 page about the film you watched.
In the Mood for Love
Talk about a movie stylistic element of one scene–its use of colors, slow motion, soundtrack, etc. Explain the beauty and appeal of the scene as well as its connection to larger themes of nostalgia, unconsummated desire, restrictive societal norms, etc.
The Mission
Talk about a scene or subplot and connect it to the film’s larger interest in “codes of honor” and “male camaraderie,” and/or consider how the film explores traditional codes of honor and characters in an unexpected way (e.g. focus on the ordinary jobs of the characters before they are hired, the curious decision for the men to bond over saving the youngest character over a sexual indiscretion, the embodying of male bonding through a game of paper soccer, etc.) You are free to talk about visual elements and/or interpersonal relationships.
