I just came back from a free screening with a friend, the Korean drama from 2006 No Regrets (http://www.noregret-themovie.com/). A few boner moments, but over all a very cute film. Talk about drama though. Thick headed Su-min doesn't want to admit love. (I personally started thinking about how strong Jae-min's attachment is. It's great he's aiming to get what he wants but it's also ruining his family, the boy's personal strength (which may or may not be a bad thing.... ok it turns out to be a good thing in the end.)) Several times I was shocked, and so was the whole audience, with the crashes, the kidnapping. It didn't pull me in though. As much as I felt for the boy, knew what he was feeling, my own feelings weren't pulled into the movie, to affect me to cry when the tragedy was too much. When Ga-ram died, I knew it hurt Su because of hidden feelings to the nooB of the scene. No wonder he cried so deeply. AT first I though it was Jae who crashed, but I was deeply mistaken.
The ending scene was really sweet, reflecting back on when Su was taking care of Jae. The crotch grab I won't forget.

Furthermore, I was also reflecting how much I was learning through my Music Appreciation: Opera class. I can undertand the operas on a deeper level because I have learned some of the confusing structure. I also am learning to put away my personal preferences and attention to detail, as they continually got in the way of my enjoying the music on a bigger scale. Today I was almost brought to tears because of the musical qualities of Rodalinda. The textural music, the visuals they conjured up when my eyes were closed, the emotional power of the singers.
To really appreciate something, one must learn the different levels of being something has. For opera, I had to be aware of where it was coming from, what aim it had, how music tied into it. I had a pretty good grasp of instrumental music before I attached it to emotion and theatrical drama, but with a visual reference and a human voice behind it, my comprehension was brought to a whole different level.
With this, I am interested now in a film appreciation course.  This way, I can learn the history of it, the subtleties of it's very own language, the unique portrayals and presentations. I can then look back on underground films that have won awards and see what the critics were so enthusiastic about. That I may have to save for next term.

Tags: appreciation, asians, film, opera
Current Mood: contemplative