PSY 317 "Cinema Paradiso"

This movie is a mixture of romance, life and cinema.

        The first part of the movie was how Toto, Salvatore di Vita, was interested in the "broadcasting" of movies and the operation of the projection machine. Toto was seen as a mischievous little boy who would do anything to get close to his dream land, which is the cinema and the projector. Alfredo, the guy who was responsible for the projector in the cinema, refused to let Toto into the room or teach him anything. But, it all changed when Alfredo needs to pass an exam and cheated on it with Toto's help….. in exchange of teaching and letting him to operate the projector. (Why was it so easy for them to cheat?) 

Everything went on smoothly until the day where the film and the machine caught on fire.

        It was obvious that the cinema was really their only entertainment as everyone cried out what will they do as the cinema had been burned down. There were others also saying how will they live without the cinema.

        With Toto now as the projectionist in the new cinema, the village finally get to watch a kissing scene and what Father Adelfio called other scenes as, pornography. After that, the scenes later on were more to depicting the cinema as a a place to release their lust.. -_-||| But of course there are also comedy, horror, and sad scenes, like Charlie Chaplin and so. It was funny how the old guy could memorize and recite the lines of the sad movie and how the couple who were "neutral"  to watching the horror movie got together till the end. Even "The square is mine" guy enjoyed some of the movies.

        From all the transitions, we can see the time and technology flow to a more improved items and stuff. Even so, the villagers would still go to the cinema (fight to go to the cinema) until after 24/26 years. It proves how they cherished and liked the cinema that have been there for them all these years.

PSY 317 "La Vita è Bella" (Life Is Beautiful)

Beautiful Life of Guido before the Tragedy

A story of how a father "happily" surviving his way through the Nazi camp with his son, Joshua and separated wife, Dora. I like how he, Guido Orefice, cleverly played with his environment and controlled it. It was heart-warming seeing how he made up happy stuffs for his son and sometimes his wife before and during the Nazi camp as not many fathers, husbands or in general guys would do so. As everyone did, I've been through some tough situations but managed to smile sincerely to everything no matter what.

My most favorite part of this movie was the part where he manipulated and used his surroundings and previous causes to create a continuous event to woo Dora. It started with needing a key to open Dora's heart which Guido linked it to Mother Mary where he was calling out for the Mary upstairs, who had been seen to always throw the key down when called. Then, to the ice-cream shop, Guido noticed Dr. Lessing walking to him and asked Mother Mary how fast can he and Dora have an ice cream, where the doctor answered '7 seconds' in accordance to Guido's previous snow white riddle. Then, coincidently his hat got wet and Dora still in doubt asked Mother Mary to exchange a dry hat for Guido, which he got back his own hat from his friend's boss, I assumed that it was no coincidence and he cycled to find Guido. 

I like these kinds of cycle thing and how a simple thing could help others as well as how one's deeds would come back to self. This cycle actually originated from a Japanese Buddhist story called the Straw Millionaire (googled and Wikipedia-ed it). Previously, I remember this protocol was adapted in the life-jacket altruism video and the anime Hyouka.

Sorry, a little off topic.... Let's march back to business..................

Psychological Resilience

The term above refers to the adaptation to stress and hardships in a positive way. {research proposed too many definitions from different theorist so just straight to the point and wiki.. :P}
Many mentioned that it is not a rare phenomenon (?), but a common "thing" that all of us can learn and apply. It's not a trait, only a process of an individual adjusting to an adverse situation.

Obviously, the whole movie showed how Guido perceive, what we label bad events, as bad also but he could turn it around and see it as a new, fun adventure. Like when Dora fell on him, Guido describes as an Angel falling for him. But, a grumpy or negative guy would scold her or keep the grudge and thoughts internal or maybe just complain it was not his lucky day. Another example was how Guido take it as a nice decoration on Robin Hood, his uncle's horse, when painted in green with the words Jewish Horse.

We could also see that Guido is confident in himself and others. Thus, he have the confidence, courage, and self-efficacy to do what he say. It was funny how he posed himself as the German translator and entrusting other guys to helping Joshua believe he is in the game.

From the APA website, they mentioned several factors in resilience
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx#

• The capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out. [which was done when Guido planned to make Joshua be included with the German kids and have something to eat plus the scene at the end when trying to escape and find Dora]
• A positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities. 
• Skills in communication and problem solving.   [problem solving skills can be proved from how quickly he solved riddles and deals with days in Nazi camp with Joshua]
• The capacity to manage strong feelings and impulses.
• Having caring and supportive relationships within and outside the family
• Provide role models and offer encouragement and reassurance [the way Guido "convince" his son and speaking to Dora through the loudspeaker to ensure they are safe]

Similar to being resilience

           I admire the character Guido on how he could change things around him to be positive and how smart he is in companion with changing the perception of things to be good (mostly for his son). Like how from the children's hide and seek he let Joshua into the group and how he predicted his own misfortune when asking Joshua not to come out until everyone is gone. Guido Orefice is a happy, positive person in general. Of course, how positive/resilience he is, Guido is still human who can feel many emotions. Like when he was carrying the anvil he complains why they have to do it, when they were moving to the Nazi camp, he felt disappointed + sad after knowing Dr. Lessing won't actually help him escape, and when he was desperately finding for Dora. Although so, he still showed a happy appearance to his family and marched happily to his death to not make his son worry.


       Though everyone could be resilient, I believe sometimes bodily chemicals and genes + environment would make it hard for some individuals. However, it is not too late to try and change. Anyway too much stress and adverse feelings/thoughts are not good for the body & mind.

PSY 317 "Parenthood"

      This film portrays how one family of different households ended up with different parenting styles towards their kids and the consequences of it.


       The start of the movie was funny and non-cliche. It was hilarious listening to a young boy speaking like an adult, claims he is 35, and have a grown-up wife with kids, which in the end turned out he IS a 35 year old adult speaking to his 'amalgam' in his childhood memories. The scene where Karen wants to 'help' the angry Gil in the car and crashed was hilarious, especially the part where the policeman asked how it happened then Gil answered "Show him, Karen". I could hear the whole class laughing at these scenes. We must not miss the diarrhea song too. (>v<)b Haha...

   

Parenting Styles

       Eh-hem! ....  OK...         Back to serious business, now it is time to read about each parents' parenting style and the consequences of it. Let's start from the eldest parent.

       The father of the Buckman family, Frank, obviously is introduced as a neglectful parent towards his children especially seen from the opening scene where he would leave his eldest son, Gil, to watch a baseball game with a paid usher while he meet up with his own friends, on his birthday. But, his style changed with his youngest son, Larry. We could see that Larry had always been his favorite son and was treated with more love than the older children. With Larry, his style changed to permissive and with his grandchild, Cool, he utilizes authoritative parenting.

       The eldest son, Gil, also used a permissive style with his children. Though it looks like, authoritative parenting, there were no clear rules. This can be seen by how Gil and his wife, Karen, lets their youngest son, Justin, continuously bang his head and eats the stickers from Patty's mathematical flashcards. As well as the product of their children's problems in school, where their eldest son Kevin, had to see a psychiatrist for emotional problems, their daughter, Taylor, kissing everybody (boy?) in school, and Justin with his head banging. Though they are still good natured children, they are also seen as pampered kids.

       The second child of Buckman family, Helen, had a hard time raising her children after her divorce. She somewhat portrays authoritative parenting where she did set rules for her daughter, Julie. But in exact, Helen is permissive at first with no clear rules for her son, Gary, and when she regrets chasing her daughter, Julie, out of the house. Slowly towards the end, she shows her authoritative side where she listens and attends to her children's needs without forgetting to set some rules. This can be proved by how she let's Tod, Julie's boyfriend, live in her house and talk to Gary as well as berated them as to solve their problems.

       Susie Buckman and her husband, Nathan, also changed their parenting style throughout the film. They first used an authoritarian style where they trained and teach their daughter, Patty, many things at a young age and restricted her play.

In between, Susie started to realize how different her child is in play when observing and comparing other kids. After some conflict and resolution between Susie and Nathan, their parenting style changed to the authoritative style. Patty also can be seen as a happier child in the end.

       The last Buckman child, Larry, is a neglectful parent that only knows how to gamble and go for get rich fast schemes. I believe this is because of the father, Frank, who used to spur on the get rich idea. Larry is the result of Frank's permissive parenting. It can be seen that he did not at all involve himself in parenting his son which symbolizes his father's previous parenting style. (or worse)

       To me, there is no perfect parenting style. I believe we should adapt to the child's behavior and temperament exclusive of permissive and neglectful parenting. For example, my mum was authoritarian and uses physical punishment along with strict, yet, reasonable rules when I was young. But, as I grow older, she become more authoritative as she know I'm mature enough to make a right decision myself.

PSY 317 "Departures ~ Okuribito" & "Grace Is Gone"

Two back-to-back movies of grief and tears.

Departures & Grace Is Gone

       A Japanese movie focusing on the culture of making the body clean and beautiful before putting them into the coffin and sending them off to their new journey.

        Whereas Grace Is Gone, focuses on how a husband goes through accepting and breaking the news to his daughters about Grace, his wife, their mother's death.

Death

       Before moving onto analyzing the movie :P, I want to state my believe that Kubler Ross's 5 Stages of Death is applicable to both the person experiencing death and those close to them. Therefore, everybody experiencing death of their loved ones would also go through 

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargain
• Depression
• Acceptance

       I believe no matter it is Western or Asian cultures, they will eventually go through the same stages. The only difference is the time and how they accept it as they go through the acceptance stage. In Departures, it is a film of Japanese culture during the funeral where the people had already accepted their death and preparing to send them off to the other world. Through those different funerals, we are able to recognize how different people and family watch as their loved ones were slowly cleaned up as they were alive before being encoffined, as well as burned off to their gateway. The process was so elegant and graceful, especially how they respect the body and the family, made me confirm that Japanese is of a different culture from Chinese. I know that Chinese culture also make-up the body but the Japanese do it in front of the family. In the middle of the film, the encoffinment became more happy and various in how they said good bye or how they beautify them like how the granddaughters put loose socks on the grandmother plus how the wife and daughters leave kiss marks on the father and said thank you to him. It shows that not everybody deals with the departures sadly.

       From the last scene of Kobayashi Daigo's father encoffinment, it really shows how important the process is to the family as well as how a person's death / funeral is a task and a new adventure of those left behind. This can be seen how the stone from his father's hand threw his hatred away and passing down the stone to his unborn child.

       In Grace Is Gone, Stanley Phillips took a longer time to fully accept and tell his daughters about the death of Grace Phillips during duty. This focuses more on the whole 5 stages where at first he denies Grace's death by calling back home to listen to her voice and imagine that she's ok as well as refuses to talk about it with the soldiers and his brother. Anger was released with making donuts on the fields as it was frustrating to go back and face reality. {Of course, there were other scenes but this scene was what I could relate to.} Bargain was not displayed or experienced as Stanley thought that her death, though not acceptable, was still patriotic and was for the protection of the country. This is also one of the distractions which I believe to fall under denial. Depression was experienced along the whole journey till Enchanted Garden. It was obvious on how Stanley hardly smiled and was still unable to tell his daughters about their mother's death. Lastly, he finally accepted the fact to his gut and decided to tell Heidi and Dawn their mom's death.

       I believe that what Heidi went through was not about the mother but the uncertainty of her father's actions. She was strong to handle the news after hearing the voice message left by Stanley. I think she somewhat guessed the situation but did not expect it to be a death as shown in the beach where she rejected and denied what her father said about their mom.

       As a sum, all deaths were grieved at the funeral more. There were not much difference despite of different cultures. As I had experience a few deaths around me, I feel that as long as they died in peace and going up there which could be either heaven, or pureland, or any other levels. Before this, I wouldn't think that I would be this open. But, after maturity and experience I believe death is inescapable, nature thing as said in Departures. It is no use to grieve on the deaths of someone who has left, but to treasure those who are still alive.

It is hard to cherish those alive. But, it is harder to accept one's death with regret.

        So, if you can't stay close to them, make regular visits. Make sure you observe others' sudden change of behaviors along with fulfill their wishes.

PSY 317 "When A Man Loves A Woman"

Four Roses Bourbon

       This movie portrays how an alcoholic wife and her husband struggle their way through before and after dealing and treating alcohol. A tear-inducing movie that revolves around the family and their interaction with each other.

Alcoholism

       This film displayed how Michael and Alice Green, including their daughters Jess and Casey, were involved into the drinking habit as well as their way of seeing alcoholism. Alice was at first a normal woman with no signs of alcohol abuse until after her marriage. The director made Alice depend on alcohol because of her lack of ability to deal with stress. Alice also claimed that she was belittled by her mom and Michael, not smooth at work, and would suddenly feel down and very sad. The daughters also proclaimed that their mother always hide in the toilet and cry before she drinks and become drunk.

       Before treatment, Alice is aware of her doings but could not control the behavior and the urge of drinking. There were many bottles of wine hidden cleverly inside the house. The turning point that made her want to change is that she hit Jess and fell down unconscious on the bathroom floor.

       When in the treatment centre, we can see how hard the alcoholics go through when deprived of alcohol. Alice was sweating and frustrated when she was under detoxification.


       I find it quite amusing to how most of the alcoholics in the end develop smoking habits in order to relieve and substitute for the alcohol consumption. To be fair, smoking excessively will only deteriorate own and others health whereas drinking excessively could risk someone's safety and lives. In this movie, Alice did not return back to drinking alcohol but did not adapt well to life at home after coming out.

Ripple effect

A ripple effect is as the phenomenon displayed in the picture. A drop of water spreads little waves of water outwards and become still water again. Many drops of water spread their own water waves outwards but in the end meets with other waves and gradually stops. The ripple effect in this movie is how groups of people suffering alcoholism and alcoholics' spouses get together and share their own personal stories, learn new experience or improve own mistakes, along with learning there are others who are in similar situations or are going through worse. This group activity also helps by empathizing others, care for them, as well as influencing others.

Finale

         Based on current statistics, there are not much successful relationships and marriages. With little or many conflicts in and out of these relationships, not many couples could fight through reality. I believe that if a couple "really" loves one another, they could go through many obstacles and still be together in the end. A happy ending needs a lot of damned hard work to make it possible. My believe haven't changed after watching the movie but has added some points to it.

Couples who "really" loves each other, have respect to self and the other as well as find ways to adapt to changes in life will still be together in the end till they die.

       In a sum, alcohol can be beneficial in small amounts as well as deathly, dangerous in large amounts. Even if someone became alcoholic, it is never too late to stop. But, it needs real determination to change. There are obvious symptoms of alcoholism as well as a few treatment centre's withdrawal symptoms. SO...... Be careful with your own drinking and remember to control yourself.

PSY 317 "Chariots Of Fire"

       Basically a historical movie of the running lives of Eric Liddell and Harold Abraham. 

       Who are they?

Harold Maurice Abrahams - A Gold medal winner for the 100 metres run.

                                           - A Jewish Englishmen who had been discriminated by other Englishmen.

                                             To avoid all these, he decided to win in an aspect he is confident and good

                                             at which is running.

Eric Liddell - In the film, he was emphasized only as the Gold winner of the Olympic's 400 metres run.

                    - A Scottish missionary who was born and died in China.

                    - He quit rugby to run in the Olympics before going back to China as a missionary.

How the film portrayed them?

       A 'normal' Scottish Christian and a 'normal' Englishmen (Jewish) as any other who lived their passion and broke the record of running in the Olympics. It was said that the way Eric Liddell ran was as portrayed in the film. I watched some clips from youtube and think the one in the film ran with more hand movements. There was also a part where Eric chose not to run on a Sunday, Sabbath day, and missed one of the categories that was the 100 metres. His determination proved that he still remembers and honors God even if he is running on the track.

       All of those running scenes made me think of how the director behind the scenes shouted at the runners. I would imagine that in the race the director would shout out "slow down", "don't run too fast", "let him win", or even "put your head back", and "swing your arms harder", "you are Eric, smile". It makes me realize how funny it would be if we can hear these voices on screen or as bloopers..... (Appreciate the job of the backstage crew)

       Other than that, I won the bet of guessing Eric will win Harold of their first encounter. Muahahahahaha..... (KIASU.... (-_-)|||...... To me, it was kind off predictable as Harold was getting a little high up the air and to win the Gold medal he needs to be hit back down to the ground plus realize there are other high mountains. I also think that even though it is a movie, the storyline was from a real life individual. As the Chinese saying goes "戏如人生，人生如戏", which means life is like a movie and vice versa. Things portrayed in the movie could come from real experiences or the interaction between people along with how successful life in movies could be accomplished.

Motivation

       To me, I think that both Eric and Harold are experiencing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. But according to the film, Harold was somewhat an intrinsic then unconsciously developed an extrinsic motivation. Harold wanted to show people how he could "run them off their feet" being a Jewish as well as the want to be accepted as an Englishman. After losing to Eric Liddell, Harold wanted to win against him and have a more stronger desire to be the fastest of them all. 

       Eric, however, ran because he loved it, he intrinsically was motivated by it. He also believed that running is like running with/for God and when he ran, he could feel God is beside him, running with him. He would rather delay his missionary duty for running. As God is within, Eric is obliged and happy to do what he can do for his passion and God.

       In a sum, as always never give up and try harder. It is never too late. To be good at something, we must have our own drive and motivation to pick us up and going. Without the motivation, people would experience burnout even faster and frequent than a person who love doing their job. Good luck to sports people in training and Enjoy the Movie!!!

PSY 317 "Dances With Wolves"

How the main character, Lieutenant John Dunbar, got his Sioux name.

        This movie is all about how one soldier who had learned to despise the 'Red Indians' getting to know them and in the end be a part of their culture. Before and during the warming up with the native Americans, all of them and John displayed many cute and hilarious scenes, which comes to show that they are really trying to understand and know about each other as well as what they are saying or thinking. I really like to see how different people and culture blend with each other and this film have the transition of who/what are you, what are you saying, can you be trusted, until they blended in with each other where John learned Lakota and Kicking Bird learned English.

       It was somehow intriguing to see how John Dunbar slowly threw away his soldier identity and became one of them obviously through his clothing and his shaved beard. It was also fun to see how the Siouan learned and applied John's english in a short time. However, until now I still don't understand why must one start war or kill each other. When fighting against the other native American clan, they said it was an honor and pride to do so as to protect their family and food supplies. Since they are capable enough, why can't they just provide information where the bulls are and not kill each other? Unless the other tribe's culture encourages killing of others {which is also stupid, but it's their culture} to get what they want and need. 

Intergroup Contact Theory

       Many researchers including the our known researcher, Allport, had run various researches regarding the intergroup contact theory in order to reduce prejudice and racism. Pettigrew & Tropp ran many meta-analysis and research to find that intergroup contact could reduce racism surrounding 3 types of themes, which are knowledge of others' culture, reduces intergroup anxiety, as well as empathy towards others. Through association within a group, members will get to know about the other person whether or not they are from a same culture or otherwise. For example, John and the native Americans had a few meetings before he could visit their village again still without learning each other's language yet. This also means to understand others, verbal language is not the most essential element but it is still in top 2. There are many scenes where John waved at their people and slowly everyone learned it and waved back.

       Anxiety towards other culture can be reduced when groups of individuals associate together for a certain goal. Like when John Dunbar at first was ready to attack back at the 'Red Indians' and when they Siouan steal his horse. These scenes were full of fear and anxiety towards the other party. But slowly after the first meeting {Tatanka} and the coffee with sugar meeting, they slowly open up to each other and .... all of us know what happened in the end.

       Empathy and Perspective Taking happens especially in cross-group friendship. Befriending each other always happens and sometimes started off by taking their perspective into thought and empathize their feelings. The only scene I could think of so far is how John understood their need for food and fur of the bulls. He risked his safety barging into the village (as he was still a suspicious white man) to tell them bulls are around the corner.

       Throughout these recent movies, we should by then realize there is no our group against theirs or them against us. We are still humans with different cultures, ethnic, race, gender, age, and skin color and so on and so forth. Though there are some "inhumane" rules in some tribes and culture, we are all still a part of this cruel reality.

"We Are The World" by Michael Jackson

Reference

1 - Pettigrew, T. F. & Tropp, L. R. (2008, October). How does intergroup contact reduce prejudice? Meta-analytic tests of three mediators. European Journal of Social Psychology, 38 (6), 922-934. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.504

PSY 317 "Cry Freedom"

       Similar to "Mississippi Burning", this film is a history description about prejudice against the 'blacks' in africa. The only big difference is it involves the government and the whole of South Africa. This movie showed how the government treat the Africans by forcefully chasing them away and running their house down, banned Steven Biko, shooting at the children mob, as well as how they use baloney reasons to cover their murder in jail. This actually make me realize some things that is happening around us.


      At first impression, I thought the movie would revolve around Steve Biko because at the start of the movie, it mentioned the film was based on the book 'Biko' (picture above) and 'Asking For Trouble' (picture below). But as the movie goes on, Biko died and towards the end it was about how Donald Woods struggle his way to publish his book containing the truth and evil deeds of the South African security force led by the Minister of Police himself, Jimmy Kruger. I don't know why but I got the feeling he's the bad guy during the conversation where Jimmy greeted and invited Donald to the house. Maybe from these lines after Donald Woods commented on not having a police around, "Perhaps not in sight, but if you weren't expected". Or from how he interpose how their white ancestors burgeon the country with the help of slavery from the Africans, or how he described Biko.

        The most inspiring part of the movie was that Biko, without the certain education, could perform a charismatic speech and debate in court. For example, when the lawyer judged Biko for his 'naked terrorism' to have a confrontation including violence in his paper. Biko responded "You and I are having a confrontation but I don't see any violence" and when the judge asked "Why do you call yourselves black? You look more brown than black". To that, Biko replied "Why do you call yourselves white? You look more pink than white". The judge understands the hidden message in between by acknowledging it with a slight smile and saying "Precisely". It makes me wonder whether it is the actual words in history. As I went through youtube, I saw some videos of Steve Biko's speech and interviews so I guess it's documented straight from recordings of before. I also admire the courage Donald Woods took to help the people after being inspired by Biko and his death. Because personally, I know currently I can't do such thing no matter in any aspects. I also think it was funny that the disguise worked.

From this video, we could see how they segregated and differentiated the 'whites' and the 'blacks' during the APARTHEID. It is an obvious discrimination countrywide that limits the resources of an African. It is no wonder many others have to stand up and speak for their rights. {Just to get banned} I would always think of why would they need to segregate or label people who are different. I do agree we have to know others before judging them with many other sources promoting the learning of the other culture improves racism and prejudice. Prejudice and whatnot always happens with fear first.

       

For example, in the olden days the Japans called the 'whites' a ghost because they are fair-skinned with bright colored hair and eyes and they drank 'blood'. Obviously this is because previously, the Japanese were conservative and did not know there are other kinds of people and that the 'blood' is actually a drink called red wine. It's the same with Donald Woods where Ramphele criticized his first article on Biko saying he do not understand him. Then slowly, Donald became friends with Biko after few get-a-long meetings and trips to the 'black' society. This could also be seen by the workers in Donald's company who at first troubled by the idea of hiring the Africans. Yet, when one of them got sent to jail all of them came out to send him off and Ken, the photographer, took a picture of the police officer as an act of despise.

"Do you know what we call opinion in the absence of evidence? We call it prejudice." ― Michael Crichton, State of Fear 

       Thanks to a banned journalist there is no more fear for the government in South Africa. Prejudice is not a problem if the individual is willing to learn and change the facts.

"The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."

Steven Biko

South African's anthem with 3 languages.....

PSY 317 "Burning Mississippi"

A film to repent on all of our doings...

Living in a multicultural country, we might have just did the same to others with or without noticing it.

       Agent Rupert Anderson and Alan Ward, 2 FBI agents "invading" into a small town to find the 3 missing civil rights agents and all they get is their 'feet in the mud'. In Jessup county, most villagers treat the FBI as how they treat the "blacks", which are the African American. They called them the outsiders and would not let them find the 3 'boys' in their state. To obsessed in thinking that they are the superior beings, they neglected and would not take the chance into really seeing who or how are the African Americans. In the end, there was finally an integration displayed where a few "whites" were singing together with the "blacks" on the burned down church.

      I've always liked to watch films that involves police or a detective solving crimes. It has been a thing that police usually go by the order of stuffs and that defiant police are not the best police. To my opinion, to catch a bad guy, you either think like one or be like one. The best is to give them an eye for an eye since the good old way would make them running further. At first, Agent Alan and Rupert did it the old-fashioned FBI way. Until Rupert started to make a different approach.

After many incidents, especially the part where the judge released custody of 3 of the Ku Klux Klan, Agent Alan became even more desperate to catch the culprits as soon as possible. Agent Alan who was against Agent Rupert's idea had to go along with it in the end. Due to the suspense, my friend and I thought that throughout the movie Rupert will be killed while taking dangerous measures. Well..... All's well that ends well....  I still don't understand why the Sheriff got acquitted....


       From a few scenes, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) burned giant crosses when committing the wrongs or worshipping their clan. I thought the KKK were heavily dependent on Christian and worship God until I came upon websites explaining that there were no burning crosses in the beginning of their acts. The burning crosses means the lighting up of the cross that symbolizes a light for God to watch and know of their 'deeds'. Or just a simple sign of victory of war to others. I see it funny how they could kill lots of people, or perceived they are acting in the name of God when the Bible has a commandment "Thou shalt not kill".

Prejudice & Discrimination {that always leads to HATE}

        An innate response from a baby is crying. As they grow, the first thing a baby learn to do is smile and laugh, not hate or hurting others. Thus, as said by Mrs. Pell, hatred is not something innate, but taught, "After seven years of age, you get told enough times, you'd believe it." 'It' being the disassociation of the African Americans from themselves.






       I believe there is also an essence of conformity and obedience in discrimination. Because one person obeys the hatred to the African Americans, everybody else follows and conforms to it which gradually turning it into a norm. It is not just a norm but a generational and worldwide norm, even children have to believe in it. Like how Clayton Townley give speeches to the people and the audience supported it. In many of these scenes, there are children watching and some big enough to follow or conform with their parents. The social learning theory of being exposed would eventually lead to imitation of the behavior. The same goes to hatred. My father threw a stone at an African American, then I'll throw a stone at his son, no biggie.


       As we all know, prejudice is not the same as stereotype. Yet, it could be the source of one. We should not discriminate a group just because a minority/majority does the same. The only way to avoid this is to understand everything about one another or just don't make it worse by putting your nose in it. I stop myself from negative impressions of someone until I see evidence. Besides, this is only to that particular individual and not the whole group.

We are a bunch of different, yet, unique individuals.

{who unfortunately conforms to anything available}

P.s. I'm sorry but I don't agree that every single person would learn from their mistakes. As mentioned earlier, it is taught, conformed, and practiced over time. Plus, lots of people just watch movies for the sake of it. Not many would consider about stuffs after a movie. {not like us curious, nosy psychology students :P}

PSY 317 "Eat Drink Man Woman"

     

      A movie of cooking and family relationships. To be fair, Asian, in this case Chinese cultures, always have banquets for social gatherings often more than a Western. It has always been in the tradition to serve food at every single event. That was why every eating scene in this movie was used as the main setting for the characters to have a little chitchat or a heart-to-heart confession.

     The father, Mr. Chu, started off as a typical Chinese man and father. But, as the story developed he was not as traditional as every other traditional Chinese father in classical Chinese movies. This can be seen by how he faced with his first and third daughters' relationship. Jia-Jen and Jia-Ning told the news out of the blue during their usual Sunday banquet dinner. After they confessed having a baby and already married, he calmly sees them off to their new life with their new partner. A typical Chinese father would forbid their daughters even for having a relationship with another unknown person. Mr. Chu's reaction was portrayed as silently accepting + giving his blessings to them.

      It has been a generational culture for the typical Chinese, maybe Asians, without exposed of much Western culture to be all lovey-dovey to each other. The Chinese would usually express themselves through body language, facial emotions, and the action of concern to each other which makes us behavioral interdependence instead of affective interdependence. Therefore, we usually take for granted for what has been there without much interest until one expresses what was really inside their hearts. One of these were shown by the interaction with the first and second daughter while washing plates. Biologically a male, it would be harder for a man to read the emotions of a woman (proven by research <http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0060278#s1>). Yet, Mr. Chu pulls it off by being able to read his daughters' emotions about his food and every other day. Not many fathers would help do their daughters' laundry as well.



      Being the youngest, Jia-Ning had not much interaction with her father. So to my opinion, there was not many changes between her and Mr. Chu. She still loves him and wants the best for him. Towards the end of the movie, she expressed that she was sorry for what she had done to him and doesn't want him to get married to Mrs. Liang. The only change similar among all daughters was that the Sunday dinner was a more welcoming event than before.


     The most interesting father to daughter relationship scene in the film was how he wakes every daughter up before and maybe after his morning jogs. I believe after seeing all his daughters settled down and having their own family and goals, he, himself decided to pursue his own future by announcing his unexpected relationship with Jin-Rong. Knowing about the Holland project (Jia-Chien's Amsterdam promotion), he made up his mind to sell the house and led a new life where I believe it is to make Jia-Chien less obliged to him and strive for a better future.

     As all of the daughters became more open and true to themselves together with their father, their relationships deepen within each other. Their relationships stopped developing further after the mother's death or the disapproval of career option for Jia-Chien's case. Following the social penetration theory, their usual conversation was simple and small, or at least sharing an issue. Whereas, deeper statement and private issues were discussed at the dinner table. Finally, the daughters now shares their own believes and values after some climax and arguments.




Conclusion -----> The movie was an inspiring Chinese familial conflict and relationship development with a combination of food events. The title actually explains the basic needs of human which was mentioned in the drunk scene of Mr. Chu and Old Wen. The movie was surprising and unexpected that made it funny. A nice movie to watch when hungry...

PSY 317 "Strictly Ballroom"

Tango

     

       After watching this film, there were many uncertainties and questions that emerged and I hoped to get the answer. I didn't really gave a thought about some scenes until after the movie. For example, the dance scene with Fran and Scott. The lyrics from the background music:

You won't admit you love me

And so how am I ever to know?

You always tell me

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

 A million times I've asked you,

And then I ask you over again

You only answer

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

 If you can't make your mind up

We'll never get started

And I don't wanna wind up 

Being parted, broken-hearted

So if you really love me

Say yes, but if you don't dear, confess

And please don't tell me

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

which in the movie means that Scott didn't confess to his mum and Les that he decided to dance with Fran plus the fact that Scott was having doubts whether to dance with Fran or Tina until he connected with Fran in their dance. (Ok. After typing this, only I realized why.) But, I don't know why he chose to dance with her at that time in the first place. Maybe the director wanted to show the audience how Scott , still with his doubts, got determined that his partner will only be Fran through the connection and expression they displayed with dancing.

       The other scene I still didn't understand was the scene where Liz helped out in the end after she was 'abandoned' by Scott. The change was quite immense even if she was touched by Scott and Fran's dance without music. Unless, before this she unconsciously felt that their dance really deserved credit.

       Based on the question Dr. Goh asked about why did the film revolved around ballroom dancing and not others like rugby and somewhat, other than the way dance can be expressive, I believe it is also because ballroom dancing competitions have real strict rules in the olden days.

       In history, ballroom dancing was a form of socialization and an encouragement to men going into war until it became popular and 'standardized' to everyone. Then, competitions were held where dancers were to show their mastery in basic steps while restricting new steps to be formed or displayed. Only those who are professional teachers could invent and display new steps. Until new style of musics came in -- like jazz and blues -- only then the dances became more broad and passionate that altered the rules and regulations of competitions. 

A start of new dance steps from jazz music. Swing Dance from <http://www.danceheritage.org/swing.html>

       From the film, there were scenes where Scott carried Liz and did some power moves along with Fran's father criticizing Scott's dance to be "too jazzy", so I guess these came from the growth of modern innovative dance steps and styles. Of course, there were more to it than that to have caused the change in competitions. Also, I realized from the film the paso doble dance had a stance portraying a bull and looked up on it.

       I found that it is a dance of a matador before his bullfight and now it has evolved into a partner dance where his partner is the red cape. It has a few elements from rumba and flamenco. From <http://dance.about.com/od/partnerdancestyles/qt/Paso_Doble.htm>, the author mentioned that it is a dance of "arrogance and passion" compared to Flamenco. This explains why Fran's father demanded  a strong face and focus between partners from Scott as well as Fran's dress to be in red before and during the Grand Prix.

       To sum it up, I find this movie really inspiring as it seems with almost the similar element from the "Awakenings" which was to never give up on our own dreams and hope. Therefore, we must live our lives as we want to and not live in fear, or we will be "half-lived".

Tango

References? (not all are credible, just for detailed information): http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/savoy_essay_stern.pdf
          http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/ballroom.html
http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/English_ballroom_style.htm
          http://www.tdcomsa.com/niche_site/ballroom-dancing/history_of_ballroom_dancing.php
                             

PSY 317 "Awakenings"

This movie has depicted what people should be doing in their everyday life, which is to enjoy life or to take risks and chances in pursuing their goals instead of keep being in one's protective shell. Other than that, I see that it depicted that people tend to comment things negatively where the doctors believed there was no hope for the catatonic patients. Likewise, it made me think again to why people don't know how to appreciate things in life or why they lost hope in things. From what I see, people tend to think that there is always a way out to things eventually or they are just unconscious of what exactly is important to them. This was shown by how Dr. Sayers showed no interest in going out with Nurse Eleanor until he realized how he felt for her later in the film.

After watching and reflecting on what Dr. Goh asked, I find that the influence of the movie is based on different unique perceptions. This movie really did moved most of the audience. Yet, I think not all audience feels the same way. Some might change to a better while others perceive it neutrally. It may not be because of the movie quality, but unique individuals' perception of how they perceive it. I believe that the movie did not actually inspired me to live my life to the fullest due to my own factors. But, it did in fact hit me again with reality and encouraged me to crack open my protective shell slightly wider.

Honestly, the character I like the most in this film would be Rolando, next to the Leonard and Dr. Sayer combo. In the movie, Rolando is one of many catatonic patients who did not speak and uses music to express himself. I believe I connected with his character because I love to play and listen to music. I also like how Rolando could talk/sing through his piano and my jealousy increases my attraction to him. The scene where the nurse barged in and uttered "It's a f***-ing miracle" made me in awe for the scriptwriter and the director whom were clever to create comedy by breaking the representative heuristics of a nurse.

Additionally, I’m interested in becoming a psychiatrist. So, I find this movie a little helpful for what to expect for the future. Therefore, I should be able to start on preparing myself for that ‘anything can happen’ and to 'never give up trying'.