Country Report: Mexico

Country Report Mexico by Melanie Flores on Scribd

Screening Report 9: Denmark: After the Wedding

1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The film After the Wedding was directed by Susanne Bier and is set in Denmark and India. We discussed the film’s editing and how it utilizes jump cuts and the use of the song ‘It’s Raining Men’ to help the story. We noticed the use of color and how the countryside was bright green and the color in the city had more greys and darker colors. Also, we talked about the actor Mads Mikkelsen and how he is seen in several American films and has become more popular. He also gets to play a character who is kind rather than play the villain.

2. Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article and copy the link to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  Make sure your link is a true hyperlink that will connect to the article you are referencing.

The New York Times review discusses the film’s plot and style that Bier used for the film. It explains Jacob’s life and how he runs an orphanage that’s on the brink of bankruptcy but gets an offer from Denmark. He meets Jorgen who is successful family man who is married to his ex lover and the adoptive father of his biological daughter. Jorgen is actually not as he seems and shows his aggressive nature when he gets closer to death. Jacob comes into conflict with him and the situation of meeting his daughter. The article goes on to mention the camera work and how many scenes have jump cuts. They also discuss the story and how it blends joy and tragedy together to make a successful story.   

3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

The article does support the film by describing the jump cuts and how it’s a unique style to the story telling. However, the article does not change my opinion of the film because I do not believe the film had a strong story, or at least a memorable one. True, it does successfully mix joy and tragedy but it does not make me feel anything for the characters.

4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this)  than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

The film felt hard to get into, so much was going on at once that it made me feel disconnected from the story. One moment it was a story about saving an orphanage, and then it was a father daughter story, and then it was a story about death. The film’s overall goal is the orphanage but it’s hard to remember that when the plot wants you to care for about so many things at once. Also, it’s a predictable plot. From the moment Jacob talks about his dislike of Denmark the audience can already tell that’s where he’ll end up staying by the end of the movie. Afterwards everything falls into a predictable line which makes the film feel shallow and wants to create drama for the sake of drama.

The film attempts to have substance by creating a parallel between Helene and Anne with having cheating lovers who leave them. Helene left Jacob because he cheated on her and instead met Jorgen. Anne had a huge wedding and was also cheated on and if she follows the same story as her mother she too will marry again in a short time. However, my question is whether that parallel is necessary? Yes it does give Anne an understanding of her mother’s actions for leaving Jacob but it does not change her relationship with him negatively. It would feel more natural if she showed him some frustrations for his actions instead of showing her frustration to her mother.

One good element of the film is it’s colors. It makes use of vibrant colors when filmed in the countryside, and uses dull colors for the city. Also, India is painted gorgeously in the movie and it’s use of packing multiple people in different shots in the beginning of the film was a nice touch.  The film tries to make another good element by using jump cuts so characters can move faster during the film. However, I found it distracting and it did not serve any purpose, it seemed like a cheap trick to appear artistic.

Overall, the film was not for me but I can appreciate it’s cinematography and Mads Mikkelsen's performance. The one thing that keep me watching the film was Mikkelsen showing a human side that movie goers rarely see since his typically typecast as the villain.

References

Dargis, M. (2007, March 30). After the Wedding - Movies - Review. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/30/movies/30wedd.html

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (  x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _________Melanie Flores_____________________________  Date: ________5- 9-17____________________

Screening Report 8: Iran: Persepolis

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The film Persepolis was originally made in France, but was based on the graphic novel of the same name made by Marjane Satrapi who is originally from Iran. The movie was directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi, and Persepolis was nominated for best animated feature for the Academy Awards. This nomination made Majane Satrapi the first woman to ever be nominated in this category (IMDB, Persepolis). The film utilizations 2D animation instead of 3D, and uses only black and white color.  

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.

The New York Times article entitled, “ In a Flat World, a Rebel With a Cause,” reviews the film and discusses the amazing details Persepolis offers. They appreciate the film’s use of 2D animation, especially during an age where 3D animation has taken over the animation industry. The film shows that it wanted to bring drawings to life so it can show a captivating story properly. They also give praise to the Grandma who is the symbol of a feminist rebel and love that she always guides Majane no matter what. The review ends with understanding the somber tone but can still see the adventurous story despite living in a black and white world.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

Persepolis takes a unique twist to animation due to their lack of color. They wanted to bring the graphic novel to life instead of doing any major changes. It doesn’t betray the story by creating another cash cow 3D animation, and remains traditional. Seeing a 2D film has become more rare, but it adds more to the story and allow for humor to come out when it is needed. Also, as the article pointed out it needed to be painted in black and white in order to see how ruthless leaders view the world and cause others to see it the same way.    

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this)  than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

One of my favorite film genres is animation, I adore art style and how it can it tell a story so differently from a live action film. Persepolis is another reason why I love animation. It’s minimalist style adds so much depth into the story. Marjane’s tale is not entirely a happy one, she lived in pre and post Iran and cast herself out from her home. The black and gray style reminds the viewer of this struggle, if the film had been colorful the concept would not have been as clear. The animation itself was also fluid and helped make scenes more comedic.

What makes this film feel more satisfying to watch is knowing that Marjane will grow up to be successful and continue to be a rebel in her deeming society. She tells her story unapologetically and it shows the audience a side of the world they are unfamiliar with. The viewer leaves the film understanding the war and how it affected the people living there. This is her ultimate rebellion because no one silenced her from making the graphic novels or film, and she told it her way.  

References

Scott, A. (2007, December 25). Persepolis - Movies - Review. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/movies/25pers.html

Persepolis (2007). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808417/

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (  x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _________Melanie Flores_____________________________  Date: ________4- 24-17____________________

Screening Report 7: India: Bombay

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In class we discussed Indian cinema and Bollywood. For a Bollywood film it must follow a certain criteria, it must have singing, a romance, drama, and lipsinging. Another rule was couples were not allowed to kiss on screen, however that rule has changed only recently. Bollywood is also one of the largest film industries in the world, and create more films than Hollywood. They produced around a thousand films per year, while Hollywood only makes two hundred fifty a year. They also follow a strict film format where they show their values and follow the same plot elements (Jess- Cooke,110). The film we watched is called Bombay and it was directed by Mani Ratnam, and follows many of the Bollywood traditions like lipsinging and having a love story.   The film won eleven awards but was never nominated for an Academy Award (IMDB, Bombay).

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article and copy the link to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  Make sure your link is a true hyperlink that will connect to the article you are referencing.

In the article, it discusses the film’s plot and the reviewer’s opinion on the film. On their first viewing they loved the film and believed that the movie has multiple powerful moments. It is the moments that make the film memorable. They cite the lead actors as the heart of the film and like that Arvind Swamy is an average everyday man. He is neither extremely handsome or wealthy, but he adores his wife all the same and it shows in his expression. They also praise Manisha Koirala for her acting ability and her expressive reactions. They also criticize the film’s plot however, because they make the home too safe and too easy to find compromise. If a home has two different religions then their should be more conflict between the couple.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

The reviewer’s opinion on the film helped change my view of Manisha Koirala because I originally did not enjoy watching him on screen. I thought his expressions were dull and found it hard to believe that he could be loved. However, the article pointed out that was the best thing about this casting, he didn’t look like a prince but he was still a man in love who held the story together. You don’t have to be handsome to be a romantic lead, sometimes just acting well is enough for the story. Also, I agree with the article that Manisha Koirala is a lovely actress, she shines on screen and is humorous to watch, being the highlight of the entire film.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this)  than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

I have never seen a Bollywood film, so I was unfamiliar with the genre. I enjoy watching musicals so I went into this genre with an open mind. I quickly noticed that American musicals and Bollywood both have their similarity and differences. Their similarities is obvious, both involved lyrical music and orchestral themes, they also include dancing numbers. The difference is Bollywood’s musical numbers happen like a performance that is separate from the story, it becomes a music video and is representational. Unlike American musical where they burst into song and it doesn’t seem out of the ordinary because it’s just everyday life. The songs also serve as a huge part in the stories, but in Bollywood film they add to the moments but are not the scenes that drive the plot forward. The musical numbers are used more for entertainment and to reveal the thoughts each character have, like wanting to have a daughter or struggling with getting to the one you love. But during the most dramatic scenes in Bombay they don’t sing, in order for the audience to understand what is happening they speak so it can give a deeper message.  

References

Bombay (1995). (2007, September 06). Retrieved from http://www.filmigeek.net/2007/09/bombay-1995.html

Jess-Cooke, C. (2009). Film Sequels. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/kean/detail.action?docID=420679

Bombay (1995). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112553/?ref_=ttawd_awd_tt

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (  x) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _________Melanie Flores_____________________________  Date: ________4- 24-17____________________

Screening Report 6: South Africa: Tsotsi

1)      Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In class we discussed the film Tsotsi’s award winning status and how it showed South African culture. We touched on the issue of poverty and AIDS and how they are shown in the film. In the Cinema of South Africa notes it explains the country’s economy and how has a middle income, which is also shown in the film. In the book Media and Translation: An Interdisciplinary Approach, it discusses the meaning of the word Tsotsi and how it is a difficult word to translate into English. The word Tsotsi means a township criminal or street wise criminal, which is applied to younger men who are poor and out casted. Using the word adds emphasis to the film portraying a thug, who most would see as a villain, having a redeemable quality and who we would grow to care for (Abend-David, 55).

2)      Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article and copy the link to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  Make sure your link is a true hyperlink that will connect to the article you are referencing.

The New York Times Review of the film Tsotsi, discusses how the director created an Academy Award winning film when creating a story already seen multiple times in Hollywood. Firstly, he uses color photography so the audience can feel the emotion and the psychological efforts Tsotsi is experiencing. He also made Tsotsi appear cold hearted throughout the beginning of the film, never making him a loser or a winner due to the concept being a blurred line. The director also uses the baby as a gift for Tsotsi, as the child is his key to redeem himself despite his troubling future. What really makes the film an award winner is the fact that the audience does feel sympathy for this character even if he is flawed.   

3)      Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

The article briefly touches on color photography and Tsotsi is a colorful film, with bright oranges and reds and other vibrant colors. The red and oranges shows South Africa’s heat and dirt, and the dirty look reminds us of Tsotsi’s poverty. When the film shows bright colors like blue or white it shows the hope for the uncertain, and these colors we see when Tsotsi meets Miriam and when he goes to surrender the baby.  The article changed how I saw the movie because it makes you realize how much thought the director put when creating the film, instead of making the typical thug film, he made Tsotsi human because no one is morally black or white. He wants the audience to care for the thug whose life was shaped by a troubled past.

4)      Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

Tsotsi was a film I enjoyed a lot, I thought the acting, music, and message were strong and stood out from the other movies we viewed in class. Presley Chweneyagae, the actor for Tsotshi/ David, did his best portraying a character who needed to be reserved and remorseless if he wanted to be respected by his crew. He wants those weaker than him to suffer, however the pain of his past causes him to feel empathy for them and attempts to fix his mistakes. He wants to help the baby by trying to keep him alive even though he was the one to take him away from his family. He also wants to save John Dube from being killed by Butcher but again he is the reason John is in danger to begin with. Tsotsi causes many of the characters trouble but he redeems himself in audience’s eyes by doing the right thing, which is easy to believe thanks to Presley Chweneyagae’s performance.

            The film’s music also made the movie stronger because it made scenes more captivating instead of bland. For instance, in the scene where Tsotsi brings the baby to the place he lived as a runaway the music that plays adds intensity to the moment. The song is also rough and gritty, which represents the children who wander over to speak to Tsotsi. The children are already living a life where they must fight to survive, which Tsotsi understands because he still lives that same way. The song is meant to show his life will always be tough, and age doesn’t make it easier.

            The message of Tsotsi is also important because it finds a way to diverge from the usual Hollywood story and create a tale of redemption that is believable and likable. We know Tsotsi is flawed, his not a hero his a troubled man who got the wrong lot in life. However, he sees that others are like him, and he learns that he is not the only one to suffer and everyone has a reason to act a certain way. Instead of giving into his suffering he decides to be better than his abusive father and take a step forward. He loves the baby as his own but he realizes that the right thing to do is to give him back to his family where he will be raised will and not grow up to be like him. The thug grows up and is no longer the child who ran away from home, and will somehow find hope for the future.

References

Abend-David, D. (2016). Media and translation: an interdisciplinary approach. London: Bloomsbury.

Dargis, M. (2006, February 24). From South Africa, a Tough Thug Shows His Big Heart. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/24/movies/from-south-africa-a-tough-thug-shows-his-big-heart.html

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) (  X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (  X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (X  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (X  ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( X ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (X  ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( X ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( X ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _____Melanie Flores_________________________________  Date: ________4/10/17____________________

Screening Report 5: Taiwan: The Wedding Banquet

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

            The film The Wedding Banquet was directed by Ang Lee and was released in 1993. Ang Lee is a famous Taiwanese director who was nominated for two Oscars and won an Oscar for Best Director twice. His film joins Taiwanese cinema and continues to show personal conflicts with morals values like in the early Taiwanese films. The Wedding Banquet is about a gay man who must stage a marriage so his friend can get her green card and for his parents to stop pressuring him to marry. It is a moral dilemma because his relationship with his boyfriend is at risk due to the fake marriage and he must continue lying to his parents. The film also uses long takes like Yang Dechang’s style during several dinner scenes in the movie.  

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article and copy the link to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  Make sure your link is a true hyperlink that will connect to the article you are referencing.

            A movie review from the New York Times discusses the film’s plot and the strengths that shine on screen. It discusses at length the inner struggles of the main characters, Wai Tang, and Wei Wei, and how they feel torn between the different sides of themselves. Wai Tang lives as a workaholic but also follows his heritage’s traditions. Maintaining the two parts of himself become a struggle when his family arrives. Wei Wei also struggles with wanting to be a carefree artist but also finds an odd fulfillment from the wedding ceremony. The review also touches on the merging of Taiwan and China being represented in Wei Wei and Wai Tang, which adds to the film’s comedy due to the shaky relationship Taiwan has with China. The Wedding Banquet starts as a comedy but turns into a drama once Wei Wei becomes pregnant, however the film has a solid ending where every character learns something new.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

            The article discusses inner conflicts within the main characters, which was a recurring theme in early Taiwanese before the New Wave happened in Taiwan. The character’s inner conflict adds drama and makes the characters feel realistic, their actions are believable even when situation becomes more troubling. The conflict helps to understand the characters’ motivations to carry out the wedding. If Wei Wei wants to stay in the country to be a painter she has marry a man from a traditional family. Wai Tang wants to be with Simon but he still wants to please his parents. This changed the way I saw the film because I felt more invested in the characters and I cared about what would happen to them in the end.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

            The Wedding Banquet strength comes from showing the struggle of pleasing family, being true to yourself, and accepting your culture. The reason why this film become so popular is due it finding comedy within these troubling scenarios. It is hard to make your parents happy when you are unsure if they will accept you for who you really are, so the film pushes a gay man to marry a Chinese girl and have an over the top wedding. The film has fun trying to make Wai Tang appear as heterosexual as possible, such as redecorating his apartment to hide any signs of his homosexuality. However, he can never deny his true self because he was still gay and no amount of hiding could change that about him. Wei Wei also accepts a part of her own culture because she was comfortable being an independent woman who is implied to be distant from her family. But as the movie continues she finds herself enjoying the wedding traditions and craving a parental bond which she missed.

            The film also shows the mixing of two cultures, Asian and American. This is best shown with Wai Tang’s parents. His mother dresses traditional and acts like a proper wife, she also wants her son to have a traditional wedding. She also struggles with accepting her son’s homosexuality. His father however is the opposite, he dresses in jeans and regular shirts and smokes cigarettes like an American. He also does not seem bothered by the rushed City Hall wedding and accepts his son’s lover easier than his wife.  He has no issue with his son adopting an American lifestyle, and accepts the merging of the two cultures.

References

Holden, S. (1993, August 4). Review/Film; A Union of Convenience Across a Cultural Divide. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CEFDB1431F937A3575BC0A965958260

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) (  X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (  X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (X  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (X  ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( X ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (X  ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( X ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( X ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _____Melanie Flores_________________________________  Date: ________4/3/17____________________

Screening Report 4: Italy: Cinema Paradiso

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

            In class, we discussed the Italian cinema and the Italian culture. The country is known for once having a Fascist dictatorship under Bentio Mussonlini, but the alliance with Nazi Germany caused them to lose World War II. Due to the defeat, the Italian government and economy changed, making life harder for Italy. The film does reflect the difficulty of leaving in Italy during that time, but it also shows the possibility for a better future.  

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article and copy the link to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  Make sure your link is a true hyperlink that will connect to the article you are referencing.

            The article discusses the meaning of the film and its importance in film history. It believes that the film’s message is about dreams and how going to the cinema helps to find a dream because you can forget the outside world for a brief time. Toto could find his dream through film even though his country’s economics made it harder. The film also makes the audience feel nostalgic because it pays homage to classic Hollywood films and replicates the feeling of seeing those films again on the big screen. Although the age of DVD and television is on the raise, people still go to the movies because the experience is worth it.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/02/cinema-paradiso-25th-anniversary-salvatore-cascio 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

            The article gives the film more meaning by emphasizing the importance of dreams and how going to the cinema helps accomplish that. Films are the best source to find a dream, and the film encourages viewers to follow it. We may be able to find new sources to watch entertainment the movie theater is still a place people go on a Friday night to watch a new movie.  Just like in Cinema Paradiso all ages find joy and grow up to watching movies new and old, that sentiment never changes.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

            Cinema Paradiso does a fantastic job of telling a coming of age story, it’s fluid and the audience follows Toto every step of the way. The best part of the story is Toto’s personality staying strong throughout his life. As a child, he is mischievous and craves to learn more, he is also determined to get his way. As a teenager, he is still curious, but now his curiosity has moved to love. He craves a future with his lover and is content with working in the Cinema Paradiso, which would cause him to stay stuck forever in a teenage mentality. However, with encouragement by Alfredo he can move on a become a successful adult.

            What also makes the film great is the relationship between Alfredo and Toto. Without a father, Toto struggles to behave and causes his mother stress from his lies. He needed a male figure to round him out, and that is what Alfredo provided. He gives him advice and mentoring, and when he passes away Toto realizes what his old friend was trying to do and thus becomes a true man. Their relationship is the heart of the film, so when Toto watches Alfredo’s film the audience feels emotional because they may never had said a final goodbye it was evident that they loved each other. They had an irreplaceable bond and they created it without saying a single I love you to each other.

References

Barnett, L. (2013, December 02). Salvatore Cascio: 'Cinema Paradiso is about the power of dreams' Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/02/cinema-paradiso-25th-anniversary-salvatore-cascio

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( X ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( X ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( X ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( X ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( X ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( X ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( X ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (  X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Melanie Flores______________________________________  Date: ________3-13-17____________________