Team Introduce

邱南億 (Albert) #87110383

林靖惠 (Anne) #91110876

陳淑芬 (Bannie) #91110984

吳春連 (Mary) #92110271

郭景玫 (Rose) #92210222

Job distribution

Leader:Albert Discussion 3

Writing Editor:Anne Discussion 1

Writing Editor: Bannie Discussion 2

Writing Editor:Mary Plot

Art Editor:Rose

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)

Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of romance and separation, told against the backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by the French colonist Elaine, a proud but imprudent woman. She lives with her father and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At an auction Eliane gets to know the young officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)

But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love with the young man, so Eliane takes the necessary steps to cause a transposition of Jean-Baptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets married to another guy she goes on a long journey throughout the country in order to find the man she loves.

A passionate story of a French mother and her adopted daughter who fall in love with the same soldier during the communist revolution in colonial Vietnam.

Plot(3)

There are many good things in this film, not least the sense of time and place: French Indochina, later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to the days when the French withdrew and the beautiful country became an American trauma This period is largely seen through the eyes of the owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve), her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)

The beauty, the photography and the impact of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But the people seem to drift and waver in their focus. The film seems to suggest that the French still do not quite understand what happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)

The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one has power to in place of them.

For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization, so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France represents freedom and profit.

This movie described that a colonialist—France and a cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)

We should understand it is true of west countries and orient countries have different value of human right. But power countries make final decision, and weak countries have no choice in this game.

Vietnam asked for independence for past decade years, she fights against powerful country again and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)

This movie portrayed that story which was a love- heroic poetry and the background was on France colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean Baptiste who was France officer hung round with these two women.

If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl with peace and noble life. But these were not their choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)

From this movie , we could find the relationship man and woman, colonialism concept spread out the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom, but this country was still poor. The question is who is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think different values have different choice.

Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)

The three main characters in this movie, Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer France fortune. A line he said in the movie “the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)

Another a leading role Camilier, who refer Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste, she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with him, finally she forgo anything to find him. When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat her compatriot brutalize, she resist regardless, at last she join to revolution, fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)

The other actress is Eliane who display bridge between France and Vietnam, who has twofold nationalities. She administer her plantation workers use economism, as same as France’s manner to its colonization. No ending between she and Jean Baptiste is refer she will alone and helpless during her life that likes France can’t control forever Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)

We have been watching Indo-chine in French class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I got it at the end. The only think that I thought was weird was the part at the end when Elaine is walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This statement has nothing to do with the react of the movie. Well I still really like it.A story of romance and separation, told against the backdrop of a ruinous war.This statement has nothing to do with the recast of the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)

A story of romance and separation, told against the backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course, have their own ways of approaching such epic topics, and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final meeting that never takes place.The French, of course, have their own ways of approaching such epic topics, and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never takes place.

Written by Mary(3)

The leading lady looks cool and elegant, and is dressed in understated tropical chic, but from time to time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she is not above a sudden rush of passion with a handsome young French Naval officer (Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love with Elaine's beautiful young adopted daughter, and betrays the values of his officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)

The photography is the star of this movie. As the two young lovers run away, hoping to hide themselves in the countless islands of a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent landscape. Many other shots show architecture in harmony with the land and the climate, the outdoors sensed from indoors, the walls and windows slatted or curtained so that all life seems partly exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)

Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel. She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a lifetime - she spans decades, yet never ages, and the problem is not to make her seem young for the early scenes but old enough for the later ones. Her serenity in the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a grittier, earthier woman might have connected better with the realities of the country.

Written by Mary(6)

"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too composed. It is not a successful film, and yet there is so much good in it that perhaps it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty, photography and impact of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But the people seem to drift and waver in their focus. The film seems to suggest that the French still do not quite understand what happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)

CustomsVietnam, had been a long time belong to Chin

a, so it reserves a lot of Chinese customs, afterward, the land was occupied by France four years, so we could see the trace of western culture influence.

“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and suffering.” French are open and romantic, on the contrary, Chinese are most conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)

MetaphorAt the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,

France, which she never been before. The same feeling as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.

“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re always kidding! You are my mother!

She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the matter?

Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on the land, France.

She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't want to occupy anything anymore.

She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)

Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted

From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:

“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the worst illness of all go on with your superior airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the trees were sincere, they would not grow. …. Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)

EndingIn 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the division into two separate nations of what would henceforth be called Vietnam.At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning, the historical meaning represents by such incestuous affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting, it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means French could make a introspection for their past history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and actions.

Discussion 1

Cultural identity can be expressed in many aspects: ways of life, behaviour, or beliefs or cultural values. In this movie, what culture does Elaine identify with? How does she display it?

Topic

Discussion 1(1)

There is always something bittersweet and decadent about the dying days of colonial regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly among her plantation workers, who may, for all she knows, be communists preparing an uprising. She is protected by the invisible shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)

Her society is a decadent one. She looks cool and elegant, and is dressed in understated tropical chic, but from time to time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she is not above a sudden rush of passion with a handsome young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)

Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel. She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a lifetime - she spans decades, yet never ages, and the problem is not to make her seem young for the early scenes but old enough for the later ones. Her serenity in the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a grittier, earthier woman might have connected better with the realities of the country.

Discussion 2

What culture does Elaine adopted daughter, Camilier identify with? How does she display it? Is there any change in her cultural identity through out the movie? If there is any, what causes it?

Topic

Discussion 2(1)

Culture identity

The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner. She never hoped the France navy could win, it means she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.

One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls light-skinned like you?

Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)

ProtectFrom Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,

she know nothing about me.”“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be

happy.”She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone. When Camilla was released from prison, she

said “ I tried everything to get you out, I prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain, the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)

Camilla’s murderI didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they w

ant I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder that in time it would erase it.Control

On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like

in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her father control her.)

She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:

I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)

Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me, C

amilla, your life.How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father sti

fled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them and drain them. You are insane.

• Change:

At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland, France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)

“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything; Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)

She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She wants her daughter marry Tanh.

In the lake:

Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and thinking of something. She had decided her future and which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)

Off the scent: When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself

and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die, she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs identity---)

“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has Indo-china inside her now.”

I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could find….

I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)

Communist:

People called Camilla “ The Red Princess” She was a communist at last.

One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine, he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you are a red. A dirty communist.

Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

From this movie, give an example which displays conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict been resolved? Why or why not?

Topic

Discussion 3(1)

From this movie, give an example which displays conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict been resolved? Why or why not?This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and East Timor. The main reason is both of these countries are quite difference.For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300 local regional languages.Major religion: Islam.East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese, English.Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)

Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful people and fight for independence.

East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some 400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying the country until 1999. In the early years of the occupation, the Indonesian military killed one-third of the population - 200,000 people - through murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)

The complete cut-off of military ties with Indonesia by President Clinton in September 1999 was critical to the Indonesian military withdrawal from East Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow an international security force to enter Timor.The years of occupation was spread with massacres, Indonesia government wanted to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of thousands suffered tremendous hardships to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)

It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of East Timor. A campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives.On August 30, 1999, the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence in a UN-conducted popular consultation that despite months of systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)

After the result was announced, the Indonesian military resented by destroying the country: murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the country's facility.East Timor will become the world's newest nation on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations transitional administration will hand over and control to the East Timor government, and the East Timor people will have achieved their long-sought goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)

The new nation faces major challenges: justice remains hard to catch, government services are not working very well, unemployment is high and economic development is slow, security along the border is weak and all refugees who wish to back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)

Now Indonesia faces growing demands for independence among several provinces, where secessionists have been encouraged by East Timor's success in breaking away after 25 years of occupation.

Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about our future, we still struggle with hooligan neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s think about it and face with this fact.