Before starting with Blade Runner and Matrix, we will talk a bit about Science-Fiction films such as:

1. The Shrinking man

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpT-n8la0dk

2. 2001 a Space Odyssey

3. Blade Runner

4. Metrópolis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz9JdEzqV9I

BLADE RUNNER

Link to the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

Link to the guide Teaching … Blade Runner

MATRIX

REVIEW
“No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” says Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the earnest, elegant John the Baptist figure in the Wachowski brothers’ allegorical science fiction masterpiece. Well, we’ll give it a shot.

He’s talking to Neo (Keanu Reeves), a blank-faced computer whizz who’s about to go through the looking glass – out of the late 20th century world as he knows it, into the real, post-apocalyptic “desert of the real”.

It’s a reality where robots rule the planet and keep humans plugged into a virtual reality matrix, living in a dream world, while their energy fuels the machines.

Morpheus thinks Neo is The One, the messiah figure who will destroy the Matrix and resurrect humanity. Fellow freedom fighter Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) is convinced too. But Neo isn’t certain, and will have to face the pernicious, powerful, Matrix meanie Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) to find out.

At first viewing, the action sequences stun, but there’s more to this than the groundbreaking “bullet time” photography, or the adolescent allure of flash, black clothes and big, black guns.

Sure, “The Matrix” is almost untenably cool, but beneath the sheen there’s substance. The story’s a potent mix of buddhism, Greek mythology, and – predominantly – the Christian gospel.

The image of a superficial existence, where ignorant people thrive by blocking out a troublesome reality, is potent for a Western society drowning in wealth while the rest of the world suffers.

The performances, too, wow. Admittedly Reeves is gifted the perfect role – he has to look good while hitting things – but Moss is charismatic, clever and sexy, while Fishburne is monumental.

Nestling next to “The Terminator” and “Metropolis”, this is one the finest sci-fi flicks ever made.

Link to the interview with Kym Barret, Costume designer off Matrix, Spiderman…Ciraque Soleil…

Video with Kym Barret (about her work with The Cirque Soleil…)

Images of the work done by Kyn Barret

Life of Pi
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by:
David Magee (screenplay)
Yann Martel (novel)
Starring: Suraj Sharma – Pi Patel- Irrfan Khan – Adult Pi Patel Ayush Tandon – Pi Patel (11/12 Years)

Not only has Ang Lee managed to create a stunningly crafted visual movie but he’s also successfully provided a truly captivating story. With little knowledge of the novel, on the face of it Life of Pi movie quotes serves up an engaging metaphor with a heartfelt message about living with faith when our will is being tested to its limits. The story revolves around Piscine Molitor, who goes by the name Pi Patel, and he tells his remarkable story of being shipwrecked to a writer and how his family dies and he ends up being stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a life boat with Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, and it’s the story of how they survive together that creates the parable with the narrative focusing on the idea of survival and spirituality. Life of Pi is one of those movies where the ending and it’s message can be interpreted in multiple ways and has been left entirely up to the viewer’s perception. Whether or not you believe it or can relate to it is up to you, but one thing is guaranteed; it will give rise to many interesting discussions.

The Commitments (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plot[edit]

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) aspires to manage the world’s greatest band, with only one music in mind: soul. Disgusted with bands in Ireland, he assembles a soul band in the tradition of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Pickett. Jimmy holds auditions at his parents’ home and assembles a group of young musicians. Unlike his idols, Jimmy’s band is white. With the help of Joey “The Lips” Fagan, the veteran musician of the band who has unlikely stories about meeting and working with famous musicians, Jimmy begins to whip the members into shape – coming together beautifully onstage, only to have the group fall apart in a clash of egos.

Roger Ebert’s REVIEW
Cast
Films about: WORK WORLD -Film: DEVIL WEARS PRADA A naive young woman comes to New York and scores a job as the assistant to one of the city’s biggest magazine editors, the ruthless and cynical Miranda Priestly. Director: David Frankel Writers: Aline Brosh McKenna (screenplay), Lauren Weisberger (novel) Stars: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Adrian Grenie

The story tells the professional adventure of Andrea, whose greatest dream is to become a journalist. Andrea gets a job in the fashion industry through Runway magazine, the most famous of its type, to make ends meet. But Andrea won’t develop her writing skills in the magazine, but her talents as the editor in chief’s assistant, Miranda. The problem is that Miranda is a merciless, posh and cruel woman, making the experience a living hell for the girl. The environment in the place will be cold and extremely critical with the physical appearance. The girl will have to change her simple and plain style, for a more trendy and elegant one, in order to gain the acceptance of her ruthless boss and colleagues, specially Emily, her unpleasant workmate. Despite everything against Andrea in the office, she will consider the experience as a challenge, drastically changing her clothes and self-image, with the help of Nigel, the magazine’s art director. Nevertheless, the job becomes extremely demanding, because of Miranda’s tough work rhythm and nearly impossible tasks, leaving Andrea without a private life with her boyfriend, family and friends. Maybe the old Andrea has gone, now more preoccupied about her image and her future in the magazine. Written by Alejandro Frias 

Listen to Anne Wintour, director of VOGUE magazine USA. Miranda´s character was inspired in her.What similarities and differences can you see between them?

What do you think about this Loewe ad? I really hope ALL of you have something to say about it to have an interesting debate.

You can see on the internet some of the “parody ads” many people have made(althoug the original ad is probably “the best”). We will talk about them later on.

CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN
Asia Floor wage by country

FOOD:

Estómago (by Marcos Jorge Brazil) It describes the rise of an idiot with a talent for haute cuisine cooking, and in a very original touch it tells the same story twice with the same protagonist: once in prison and once as a flashback in the free world. It is an odd hybrid which can best be described as “Ratatouille” (yes, the Pixar movie) meets “Carandiru” (yes, the Brazilian prison drama). This film is one of those happy discoveries you can only have at a film festival. A sexy mix of comedy, good food and violence, Marcos Jorge’s film actually made me hungry while watching it. More after the break… The Story: Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a country simpleton who arrives penniless in a big Brazilian city. Doing odd-jobs at a snack bar for food and lodging only, his future seems dire until he is allowed to assist with the food. Suddenly it turns out Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him the affection of prostitute Íria, who is happy to share his bed on occasion in return for good food. When he quickly gets snatched up by the owner of a fancy restaurant it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up… But alas, this is all a flashback, because the present is quite different: Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a simpleton who arrives in jail, banished to a cell he has to share with seven others. Beaten into the filthiest corner for being the new guy, his future seems dire until he lets slip of the fact that he can actually cook. His cellmates discover that Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him a little respect from top-dog Bujiú, which increases his status. When Bujiú plans a feast to win the favor of feared imprisoned crime boss Etcetera it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up… But how will his prison adventure end? And why did he have to go to prison in the first place? Babette´s Feast (Academy Award in 1986 for Best Foreign Film).

ANTHROPOLOGY/MUSIC…Gadjo Dilo (The Crazy Stranger)

Directed by Tony Gatlif
Romania / France 1997

Endearingly shaggy comedy-drama, improvised around the thinnest wisp of plot: genial, wild-haired young Frenchman Stephane (Romain Duris) arrives in a remote Romanian village in search of Nora Luca, a Gypsy singer much loved by his late father. The local Roma community is initially hostile, but gradually accept Stephane after he first befriends blustery oldster Izidor (Izidor Serban), and then local ‘bad girl’ Sabina (Rona Hartner).

But this narrative is really just an arbitrary framework on which Algerian-Gypsy Gatlif strings colorful vignettes illustrating the richness of Roma life. He’s out to celebrate a remarkable culture that survives in Europe’s hidden corners, one whose Eastern roots are clearly exposed in the frequent bouts of singing and dancing.
Gadjo Dilo is much more successful in terms of anthropology and good-time atmosphere than as a feature-film drama.

CINEMA ABOUT OTHER CONTINENTS:
INDIA
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE by Danny Boyle

See about how to work about this film in the following IPES page: Slumdog Millionaire

Compare the similarities of the opening scene with the one in
City of God and trainspotting . Can you find them?

Film review

CHINA:
China Blue CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPEIGN”>CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN

El precio de un vaquero blue jeans publicado por Otra tv es posible (in Spanish)85`

Messages from sweatshop workers in shopping

INDIA (documentary)
Documentary: Broken Tale: A tiger´s Last Journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGkrtP6B3BQ

ADVENTURE : Lost Horizon by Frank Capra,1937 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hne7jqIzvXM

FOOD
AN, Naomi Kawase’s dessert-filled film is too insipid to swallow (The Guardian)
http://www.elantepenultimomohicano.com/2015/10/seminci-2015-dia-2-criticas-una-pasteleria-en-tokio-una-historia-de-locos-zonda.html

After having seen The Visitor, Welcome a part of 14 Kilometres, and some shorcuts about racism, debate in groups about some of the following points:

1.What do you think about the reasons to emigrate of the different characters from the films?(political reasons, gender and violence matters,love reasons, economical reasons…to reach a dream -become a football player-)
2. After talking to your parents, grandparents…could you talk about people from your country who emigrated? Why did they go to America, other European countries? Do you know something about this matter?

3.Game.
a)”Ponerse en el lugar del otro” What would you do if you were in his/her place?(chose any of the characters from the films).
b)What would you do in five or six years time,time to look for a job, if the unemployment situation continues?.

Video related to the two topics we have seen up till now.
Follow part of this lecture or talk by CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE (a Nigerian writer)to be discussed in class.
In the link you can choose English or Spanish subtitles.
In Youtube you can see the first part with Spanish subtitles.

Said´s journey (short cut)

THE VISITOR 1.45″ -2008/
by Thomas McCarthy (director of THE STATION AGENT 2003 a very good film)
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After watching the film, read the following questions and work in class with your partners to talk about them.

1.- Find out the meaning of the following legal terms:
asylum, bag and baggage letter, deportation, detention, removal proceeding or deportation proceeding, due process, green card.

2- Which of the characters in the film did you relate to most? Why?

3-Why do you think Walter decides to let Tarek and Zainab stay at his apartment even though he knows nothing about them?

4-In your opinion, who is “the visitor”? In what way is each character “visiting”?

5- What was the most memorable moment in the film? Why?

6-Think of someone in your life who immigrated to your country. Why did they come here? What hardships has s/he faced as an immigrant?

7-What was your impression of the detention center? What did you notice? Is this different from what you expected?

8-What do we as global/American citizens have to gain or lose by providing immigrants and refugees with the right to due process?

9-What are arguments for and against detaining immigrants and refugees in prison-like conditions?

10-Can you think of alternative ways the U.S. government could handle cases like Tarek’s?

11-How do you think Tarek’s deportation will affect each character’s view of the world?

12-Is there any situation in the film you could consider racist?

These questions are taken from “The Visitor” Discussion Guide.
Read part of one of the reviews. Do you agree with the last paragraph? Do you have anything to add?
Review:
…a mellow, laid-back, and entirely satisfying little “people” movie, one that finds the beauty in the small gestures of genorisity: McCarthy finds a lot of beauty in the strangest friendships, and as The Visitor moves into more political areas (Tarek gets tossed into jail for no good reason), the director is careful to let the characters take precedence over the “issues.” Obviously the film has a lot to say about the Arab experience in America today, but The Visitor is much more interested in its interpersonal relationships than it is in climbing a soapbox and preaching to the choir. (Icing on the cake: In addition to Jenkins’ fantastic performance, newcomer Haaz Sleiman (as Tarek) is really quite excellent.)

The result is a movie with a message, sure, but it works even better as a touching look at a lonely man who finds some warmth, friendship and affection in the most unexpected of places: His own forgotten apartment.

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WELCOME – Movie Trailer
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Questions (from Didactic Guide- IPES)
1.
2.
Questions after reading or listening to some of the news about cases of people trying to get asylum in The United Kingdom , France or Lampedusa (Italy) from the news-paper (El País October 2013)
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La jaula de oro by Jon Garaño
La Jaula de oro by Diego Quemada-Díez

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ON THE LINE by Jon Garaño

Review from Ideas y Palomitas

Cortometraje “On the line” de Jon Garaño
Pocas veces encuentras un corto de docu-ficción tan abrumadoramente real.
“On the line”, retrata la incomprensión de algunos americanos que viven cerca de la frontera que separa Estados Unidos de México, y que desde el autoconvencimiento por la “defensa” de su país deciden convertirse en el muro inquebrantable para aquellos que han superado el Río Grande, el frío, el calor, la deshidratación o el hambre.

La denuncia social está coronada por un guión tan auténtico que entran escalofríos, destacando la interpretación de Jeff Smallwood como Adam, junto a otros actores como Tania de la Cruz, Yvette Filanc o Mikel Morris. Al contrario de lo que parece, no está rodado en ninguno de los más de 3000 kilómetros que separan México y EEUU, sino en los terrenos más inhóspitos de Navarra y Gipuzkoa.

Porque pone voz al americano del sur de California con un patriotismo exacerbado, y golpea, angustia, oprime y despierta al espectador en la realidad de un muro invisible.
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14 kilómetros (dvd)

Los Invisibles (by Garcia Bernal in colaboration with Amnesty International)

14 KILOMETRES
Directed by Gerardo Olivares

REVIEW
by Felipe Gómez Isa
Fourteen kilometers is the geographical distance between the African continent and the South of Europe. It is, however, more than that. It also serves as the insurmountable obstacle that negates the dreams of millions of African teenagers who see the Western world as their only hope to escape from hunger, misery, and despair. 14 Kilometres,a road movie, wisely combines fiction and documentary to explore the human dimensions (and, unfortunately, inhuman dimensions) of the dramatic adventure of Sub-Saharan African migration to Europe. This journey can last months or even years, and all too often the final destiny is death—either in the sands of the desert or in the dangerous waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The film 14 Kilometres is based on the story of Violeta Sunny, Buba Kanou, and Mukela Kanou, who represent an entire generation of African young people whose only desire is to migrate to Europe. Violeta escapes from a forced marriage with a much older man of her village and his repeated sexual abuse; Buba wants to be a football (soccer) star for one of the leading European teams, and he travels the entire way with a t-shirt of Real Madrid and a foot ball; and the third traveller is Mukela, Buba’s brother, who is responsible for convincing his brother to leave his village and make the journey but who ultimately dies in the harsh desert.

The three initiate their odyssey in Niger, crossing the Tenere and the Saharan deserts until they reach the Moroccan coast, where only two of them finally make it to their imagined “promised land.” In the course of their trip they face police corruption, the severity and cruelty of the desert, and unscrupulous human traffickers. However, they also experience the solidarity of the peoples of the desert, the Touareg. One of the culminating moments of the film is when a Touareg leader addresses Violeta and Buba with these words: “the future is here, in Africa.” This is one of the subliminal messages that the author wants to convey: migration is not the solution to the collective tragedy that the African continent is suffering. There are a number of remarkable aspects of this film. One is the stunning beauty of the cruel desert itself. Another is the film’s commitment to human beings and its capacity to illustrate the human suffering involved in the hard and extenuating migration process, a perspective that has not received much attention so far. As the Spanish writer Rosa Montero declares in the final scene of the movie: “They will keep coming and will keep dying, since history shows that there is no wall with the capacity to stop dreams.”

As a postscript, at the time of writing, May 2008, more than 1,200 Sub-Saharan migrants, including little children, are living in the surroundings of the Moroccan city of Oujda, fifteen kilometers away from the Algerian border, waiting for their opportunity to start their hazardous sojourn once again. They face extreme conditions, and survival depends on mutual solidarity and the support of NGOs. But, as a woman from Nigeria says, “I will try it again.” Highly recommended

Interesting films about Emigration:
-Grapes of wrath

Pele The Conqueror (sweden)

Based upon the famous 1910 novel of the same name by Danish writer Martin Andersen Nexø, the film is set in the end of the 19th century. A boat filled with emigrants from Sweden arrives at the Danish island of Bornholm. Among them are Lasse Karlsson and his son Pelle who have moved to Denmark to find work after the death of Pelle’s mother. They find employment at a large farm, but find themselves treated as the lowest form of life. It is only as Pelle starts to speak Danish that he begins to gain in confidence, but is still discriminated against as a foreigner. But neither boy nor father is willing to give up their dream of finding a better life than that which they left in Sweden.
Le The Au Haren Archimedes

Bend it Like Beckham

Rocco And His Brothers