In roughly 750 words (+/-) discuss how one of the films below (or another film of your choosing approved by the instructor in advance) wrestles with one of the religions (Confucianism, or Taoism) or a combination. Watch the film after reading Smith’s chapter on the religion under consideration and write your paper in dialogue with Smith’s chapter (yes, use short quotes from Smith in your paper). Please consider characters, plot, context, and other pertinent aspects of the film but do not provide a summary of these. Rather, assume the instructor knows the film and you are simply arguing for an interpretation of its messages on the topics below. On the title page list your name, the title of the film, when and with whom you viewed the film. I encourage you to watch the film with others and discuss the themes present. This will make it more fun and help you better digest the content of the film. General topics you might consider include: generational expectations, class expectations, gender roles, multiple/split identities, tradition, diaspora, nostalgia, Westernization, colonialism, religion in the modern age, and/or religious identity in general. Additionally, for each religion in addition to overt references to gods, worship, or ritual, etc., there are specific themes to examine as appropriate: For Confucianism, look for themes of structure and hierarchy, the centrality of family, honor, respect or age, sagehood, and the elevation of art. • For Taoism, examine images of water (which is nature’s preeminent symbol of/metaphor for the Tao), balance, harmony, and a return to nature (both literally and in allowing things to follow their natural course – that is, not forcing things to happen). Also, please note that some popular films (like those listed under “Taoism” below [yes, “the Force” from Star Wars is, essentially, the Tao]) do a great job of translating religious values into western contexts but are highly nuanced and therefore not always the easiest to assess critically. For Confucianism – The Farewell (Wang, 2019) – Crazy Rich Asians (Chu, 2018) – In the Mood for Love (Wong, 2000) – The Joy Luck Club (Wang, 1993) – The Last Emperor (Bertolucci, 1987) – Yellow Earth (Chen, 1984) For Taoism – Kung Fu Panda (Osborne, 2008) – The Forbidden Kingdom (Minkoff, 2008) -The Big Lebowski (Coen, 1998) – Forrest Gump (Zemeckis, 1994) – Star Wars: A New Hope (Lucas, 1977)
