Part 2: Paikea and Mulan

We all need role models nowadays. Boys have a plethora Marvel and DC comics heroes. What about girls? Wonder Woman is not enough for the girls. Well... let's give a tremendous applause to Disney and Niki Caro! Thanks to these amazing individuals, girls NOW have excellent role models (heroines) that seem more realistic than boy's heroes. Who are our heroines? There are multiple! Imperator Furiosa, Rey, Jyn Erso, Katniss Everdeen, Malala Yousafzai, Emma Watson, and more incredible women (fictitious and real). I have an extensive list of feminist characters, but I am going to talk about two female characters that resemble. Who are these heroines? Ladies and gentlemen (specially the ladies), meet Mulan and Paikea!

Mmmm... Interesting... Why Mulan and Paikea are similar? First, let's point out the obvious elements:

• They are girls! (it is pretty obvious)
• Their ages are pretty close (Mulan is a teenager and Paikea is prepubescent)
• They are non-Caucasian characters
• The tomboyish style
• Patriarchy is part of their cultures
• They are progressive within a traditional society

These are just a few similarities between these two ladies, but they are extremely important for an analysis. Yes, they are girls, but what does gender mean to their societies. First of all, gender dictates the advantages and disadvantages of a person. For example:

If Mulan was a boy, there wouldn't be a movie (technically, it would be a different movie). What Mulan did was the bravest action ever! She knew the risks of war and men, but her love to her father was greater than her fear. Let's remember that it's still a Disney movie, so expect a some fantasy. With Paikea is different. She was born a girl. Well, there is nothing wrong with that, right? Oh... I forgot to mention that this baby will be the chief of the Maori clan. Again, there is nothing wrong with that. Unless, this baby is supposed to be a boy. Boy are stronger than girls. Even intelligent, according to some men. Poor Paikea, we are on her side. Like Mulan, her gender was the biggest obstacle to overcome. 

Also, these two women are proud of their own culture. Mulan saved China! Paikea learned the Maoiri traditions! They had the option to turn their backs to their countries. For example:

Mulan could have not intervene, and let her father dies. No, she isn't like that. She is brave, compassionate, and perseverant. Same with Paikea. She could have just follow the female traditions, you know. Just give up, Paikea, you are a woman after all (her grandfather was an obstacle too). Why did they sacrifice their comfortable life style as traditional women? If you think about it, Mulan could have married a noble man and have a secure life (isn't this what women are supposed to do?) Paikea could have chose to be a common girl. Why didn't they do that? Because they are visionaries, they are ahead of these traditional and patriarchal cultures. They want to do something remarkable, meaningful in their lives. Another reason why these amazing women are similar is their ethnicity (non-white characters... Finally!) Mulan is Chinese and Paikea is Maori. Two different cultures that share the same obstacles: patriarchy and traditionalism. 

Both characters have a tomboyish look, not very feminine. Paikea wears plain shirts with a skirt. That symbolizes the gender idenity issue that she is going through (most of us went through that). With Mulan, it is the same. She wear the armor, because she doesn't have a choice, but when she is seen as "Mulan," she doesn't wear any make up and her dress is not colorful (there is nothing wrong with that). Mulan, like Paikea, is facing gender identity too! 

So there you have it! Two female characters that rebel to their traditionalist cultures who happen to be patriarchal too. Although, Mulan and Paikea are from different countries and cultures, they showed me that these issues such as patriarchy and gender identity are universal. These feminist characters taught me that gender is not an obstacle, it is tool to make a remarkable change. Just think about Joan of Arc! Mulan and Paikea will always be in my heart. Thanks, ladies.

Feature Blogger Question (El Laberinto del Fauno)

 

Pan's Labyrinth  is an ambiguous film. Many people would say that Ofelia's fantastic perspective was real. But some of us are a 100% that Ofelia had a creative way to cope with the harsh reality. There are several instances in the film where the audience can see that Ofelia is imagining her version full with fantasy. The part where General Vidal is seeing Ofelia talking with Pan is the biggest revelation! My question is:

Do you think that Pan's world exists only in Ofelia's mind?

My answer is: Yes. If you don't believe me, take a look at my evidence:

 

Don't you think that the Fallopian Tubes resemble Pan's horns? Ofelia is coping with her mother's pregnancy. Hey! But this is just my opinion. What's yours?

Blog #6: Music from Agora

 

I am a huge fan of the Italian composer Dario Marianelli. His film scores have been nominated by Academy Awards for Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, and Anna Karenina (all Joe Wright's films). It was in Atonement that he won the Oscar for Best Original Score. In Agora, it was no exception. Marianelli's uniqueness enhanced the drama in the film. The whole soundtrack is marvelous! But the ending scene is the most emotional. I've never thought that Alejandro Amenabar (Tesis, The Others, Mar Adentro) and Dario Marianelli would make a great team. 

If you are loking for a beautiful soundtrack (Dario Marianelli), a great cast (Rachel Weisz, Oscar Isaac, Max Minghella), a fantastic direction (Alejandro Amenabar), a controversial theme (religion, feminism) and a great art direction, watch Agora.

*Note: There is a minor whitewashing. You'll see as soon as you watch the film!

Blog #6: A Different Culture (Water)

 

I was 16 years old when I saw Water for the first time. I blamed my mother, because I was traumatized for a week. Chuyia's childhood was unexpected for me (it was the first Indian film that I saw). I didn't know the cultural differences between Mexico and India. Child marriage! Sati! Suicide! Child abuse! No wonder why I was mad at my mother. But I enjoyed the technical elements of the film, such as soundtrack, cinematography, and art direction. I don't regret watching Water at that age. I realized that I am lucky to have the life that I have. In some countries, people don't have a proper way of life.

Blog #5: Special Effects from Tokyo!

If you have seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of the Sleep, and Be Kind Rewind, you probably noticed the visual effects that Michel Gondry used. He is not a big fan of CGI. He thinks himself as an illusionist (not the GOB type though). If you don't believe me, check this out!

This scene is from the film Tokyo! It was disturbing the first time I saw his short film. I was thinking: how did Gondry do it? I've never found my answer, because there is no video explaining how he did it. There is an interview about his short film Interior Design, but it is in French. Please, check his films! He is an old school filmmaker.

Blog #5: Emotional Music (Tsotsi)

As soon as I start watching Tsotsi, I couldn't stop thinking about Slumdog Millinaire. Both films have similar elements: tough childhoods, male characters, poverty, and music. The music in Slumdod Millionaire is fantastic! A. R. Rahman knows how to please our ears. I was surprised that Tsotsi and Slumdog Millionaire has almost the same opening scene. I couldn't find the opening scene of Slumdog Millionaire on Youtube, but if you own the movie, please check it out!

In Tsotsi, I couldn't stop crying when Tsotsi find redeems himself by returning the baby to the parents. The song is beautiful! It definitely adds emotion to the scene. There is no dialogue, just music. What a powerful scene indeed. Despite the fact that the film has many songs, the one that has no lyrics are the ones that I love the most. The whole soundtrack represents South Africa.