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jkujo
Reviews
Saving Face (2004)
Humanistic illumination onto women's right to love
Love between women is simply so pure and graceful, and it may not always be appropriate nor impartial to call them lesbians as the Occidental cultures have been labelling them. Man's love may include a portfolio of materialistic prosperity but there always be some area left out such as basis for a perfect equality which is essential for their sense of mutual belonging and a higher sense of harmony ultimately leading to spiritual unity that women vow to each other. I personally can not deny venerable deference of any mentioned qualities that we men can not compete that of women. It is invalid to deny that they have innate ability to embellish one another with sublime grace. I would certainly encourage if your own daughter fell in love with another woman, why can't you accept that woman as a member of extended family? Reward and contribution to the humanity is immense!
I have always wondered why the majority of films about woman's love had to end in tragedy unless there is a motivation to depict and criticise the cruelty of political agenda of the nation in effect during a period where scenario was written to criticise a dictator such as Chairman Mao, or worse yet when director is affiliated with the conservative financiers or with a political party where he or she belonged to, to supplant the idea on audience that it is wrong for any woman to love another woman hence the punishment is inevitable. When such scheme is in effect, how true and natural women's right to love can be accomplished free from delusion or deception?
Chinese films from main land have always showed us the singled out attacks only against women throughout recent history, and how these women were ill-reputed in China. I view such favouritism practiced also constitute a serious crime against humanity in contrast to men's rights (including same-sex relationship practiced between ancient emperors and his knights or lord chamberlains or lord regents) and its outcome as early as 1600 B.C. during Liu dynasty, Wei dynasty and Han dynasty are all well documented They even have had the most bizarre customs procuring catamite (pederastic relationship as bed mate) for sovereign prince . The economic impact resulting from the emperor willing to compromise the estate and wealth to sustain such extravagant relationship could be so large that could not be compared with any minimal impact that the relationship between women can likely to have caused to the community has always remained negligibly modest if not been none. What about for women's rights? Shamefully poor in comparison with other neighbouring nations in Far East, with Japan in particular? I grew up in Kyoto, Japan. Contrarily to common belief, before the paternalistic authoritarianism ever had any chance to come in effect in Japan, there were four contiguous centuries, a long historic period called the Heï An Era (794 - 1185 A.D. meaning the time for peace and tranquillity) where contemporary feminist scholars including art, poetry, and literature flourished in Japanese Imperial Court. It is often considered the peak of the Japanese culture particularly in women scholars. I have actually seen a 900 years old priceless byobu (silk panel folding screen) with two young lovely court ladies in waiting wearing summer Kimono attires) holding their hands on Great Gojo Bridge watching fireworks together on a mid-summer evening. I have always been a straight male but I could not help but so impressed by its poetry like beauty. There exists a court diary written by a high ranking court lady in waiting of noble birth referencing her adoration on sovereign princess whom she served with explicit words like "moist lips", 'full figure", "beautiful breasts", "silky skin", "perfect complexion" time after times in her diary. Traditionally those positions were monopolised by the daughters of Fujiwara, Taira, Konoye or Kujo Families. Women were allowed to sleep in the same bedroom, to bath together and to enjoy themselves much more openly in Japan before the dark age. Sadly in term of humanity, 1900's China was 900 years behind from it's neighbouring country Japan in term of woman's rights.
Since the beginning of civilisation, philosophers, psychologists, many scholars and like had debated against the superiority of love that a woman can offer to all of man kinds (to both men and to women). I strongly believe that of women are definitely superior to the others. Since the majority of us do not experience temporary loss of vision or complete loss of consciousness due to deep sedation for major surgery such as open heart or open skull procedures. Using artificial Heart and Lung machine, often the heart is removed outside the sternum whilst surgeon can work on. Such a procedures can cause tremendous trauma to your psyche. It is not unusual for patient and nurse to develop an almost like loving attachment to each other from the moment the nurse transfers you from a rolling bed to a recovery bed, then calling your name and caressing you as if rescuing you from desolated realm of unconscious. If you had compared it with the same task performed by male surgical assistants at operating room , you will become quite impressed with the fact that a woman's love is a priceless enlightenment. The tenderness of woman's expression of love is inexplicable beyond any words. It is highly likely that someone like Wil already had intuitively known the enlightenment that only a woman can bring to her soul. Pinecloud, a straight male, Palo Alto, California, USA
Between Two Women (2003)
f you consider yourself a purist, romanticist or idealist, you would appreciate this title!
If you consider yourself a purist, romanticist or idealist, you would appreciate this title! Very subtle yet a captivating screenplay throughout. A magnificent portrayal of a woman's love that only could be brought by woman's heart. Devastatingly romantic story. I am quite impressed by the splendid talents of captivating leading casts, masterful director, screen writer and crew of those who made the creation of this Magnificent masterpiece possible. I would not call this movie a lesbian film. It deserves to be categorised as mainstream story of love and trust between women so beautifully and intimately portrayed
Since the beginning of civilisation philosophers, psychologists, many scholars and like had debated against the superiority of love that a woman can offer to all of man kinds (to both men and to women) . I personally view that of women are definitely superior to the others. Since the majority of us do not experience temporary loss of vision or complete loss of consciousness due to the required depth of sedation for major surgery such as open heart or open skull procedures. These procedures can cause tremendous trauma to your psyche. It is not unusual for patient and nurse to develop an almost like loving attachment to each other from the moment the nurse transfers you from a rolling bed to a recovery bed, then calling your name and caressing you as if rescuing you from desolated realm of unconscious. If you compare it with the same task performed by male surgical assistants at operating room ,you will be impressed with the fact that a woman's love is a priceless enlightenment. It is highly likely that someone like Ellen had finally awakened from a life-long repression to that enlightenment by following her own heart. Every female child has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Lamentably, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with demands, duty and responsibility. Many women are tired, struggling under the senseless pressure to be of a faithful servant, or a caregiver for children, husband or father and like. If Chen An had realised that demands from her father were unreasonable, the both girls could have survived. I have known an award winning blind female writer and her nurse companion who helped her publishing her novels until the end of writer's life age 72. The nurse died next summer found afloat on River Kamo during Gion Festival (Buddhist Spiritual season) leaving a will to be buried next to the writer. In fact I have seen them twice together on the bridge across a pond within the property of an ancient Buddhist temple in 1970's. Nurse were eyes to the writer and describing everything that the nurse can see. The both women looked very beautiful radiating the glory of love between them. They both were descendant of ancient noble families go back to 11th century and their presence seemed to enhance the tranquillity of the mid-autumn setting. I could not help but wishing their happy union forever from the moment I saw the strength and intensity of woman's love. I have always been a straight male, However, it has forever changed my attitude about woman's love. So let's wish the two women best luck and let them pursue their happiness! Julien Kujo a.k.a.,Pinecloud, Palo Alto, CA., USA
Loving Annabelle (2006)
A woman's love is a priceless enlightenment!
I was somewhat heart-broken to see the sudden tragic and apathetic ending. Since the beginning of civilisation philosophers, psychologists, many scholars and like had debated against the superiority of love that a woman can offer to all of man kinds (to both men and to women) .I personally view that of women are definitely superior to the others. Since the majority of us do not experience temporary loss of vision or complete loss of consciousness due to deep sedation for major surgery such as open heart or open skull procedures. Using artificial Heart and lung machine, often the heart is removed outside the sternum whilst surgeon can work on. Such a procedures can cause tremendous trauma to your psyche. It is not unusual for patient and nurse to develop an almost like loving attachment to each other from the moment the nurse transfers you from a rolling bed to a recovery bed, then calling your name and caressing you as if rescuing you from desolated realm of unconscious. If you compare it with the same task performed by male surgical assistants at operating room ,you will be impressed with the fact that a woman's love is a priceless enlightenment. It is highly likely that someone like Simone already had learnt the enlightenment. Every female child has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Lamentably, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with demands, duty and responsibility. Many women are tired, struggling under the senseless pressure to be of a faithful servant, or a caregiver for children, husband or father and like. I have known an award winning blind female writer back in Japan and her nurse companion who helped her publishing her novels until the end of writer's life age 72. The nurse died next summer found afloat on River Kamo during Gion Festival (Buddhist Spiritual season) leaving a will to be buried next to the writer. In fact I have seen them twice together on the bridge across a pond within the property of an ancient Buddhist temple in 1970's. Nurse were eyes to the writer and describing everything that the nurse can see. The both women looked very beautiful radiating the glory of love between them. They both were descendant of ancient noble families go back to 11th century and their presence seemed to enhance the tranquillity of the mid-autumn setting. I could not help but wishing their happy union forever from the moment I saw the strength and intensity of woman's love. It has forever changed my attitude about woman's love. So let's give the two women a break, and let them pursue their happiness!! Pinecloud, Palo Alto, CA., USA
Xiao cai feng (2002)
An invaluably sad but exceptionally beautiful work of art
An invaluably sad but exceptionally beautiful work of art realistically depicting instability and mutability of all things in modern life. It's inevitably fluid like nature of human evolution between one époque to another. I can feel ethereal touch of Author's filial love to his mother country china. It is easy to see that the Author was torn between his deep seated love for China and Ambition of prosperity on his chosen land (France) at the moment of his life time decision making. This is something that not many understand unless you are forced to leave from your homeland and love ones for a cause. I have left Japan , Kyoto and a noble born beloved fiancé along with almost all things I perceived exquisite at that time for an ambitious cause.
Augmented by an outstanding soundtracks with his genius touch in a perfect synchronization with emotion portrayed in screenplay. Since I have played harpsichord continuo part for Haendel's tragic opera such as Alcina, Otone and Radamisto for student soprano singers during rehearsals in the past, I can readily feel Author's masterful quality of refined artistic mind in every scene.
This is a second film that I bought for my collection of Dai Sijie's works. I must admit that he is a genius of screenplay when it comes to depicting moments of painful separation. Who else can reproduce so vividly on the screen with such poetic touch today? Julien Kujo, Palo Alto, California
Les filles du botaniste (2006)
Exceptionally Poetic Portrayal of the Last Eden of Asia: I love this movie
It is an exquisite work. With an incredible cinematography and both casts are exceptionally well fit for the part they play. It is very hard not to learn to love Mylène Jampanoï who plays Li Min She is an exceptionally precious asset to Asian Love Stories of highly spiritual contents that requires subtle but sublime or even ethereal quality.
Sad and lonely look in her eyes in contrast to such girlish and intimate gaits with energetic down to earth acting makes her endearing image to retain a very special place in every viewer's heart of both genders her muted whispers in search of love can be heard time after times like a poem. It's a hauntingly beautiful story too but very sad and heart breaking with a sudden shocking and apathetic ending for those understands that how much the relationship meant to Li Min, The Conservative society was so unforgiving to them in such a way that the Chinese society could not offer a space for them to survive.
It would surely cause a traumatic sorrow to everyone grew up in Japan to find out Li Min and Chen An were put to death. Only if they had lived in the community knowing the fact that they could have found their perfect paradise in Kyoto Japan and worked together as long as they wanted. It was considered perfectly normal for a couple of court ladies to share a bed room and bath whilst in service to the imperial court.
Japan has a long history of parthenocratie blossomed amongst highly privileged members worked in the court in ancient imperial capital 'Kyoto' from the Hei An Era (meaning Periode for "peace and tranquility" It still continues to be an elegant and definitely most popular and lenient city for female couples. Lush and ancient gardens of average age of 1000 years old. Luscious landscapes and uni-sexed sweet sounding dialect makes it a Heaven for young couple like Li Min and Chen An. Only the requiring for them to become wealthy and affluent was to be born or adapted into a noble family and work for a crowned princess as lady in waiting. There were in fact generous princesses who would accept a pair to be employed at the same time. There is a silk screen painting of a female couple of court ladies on the Great Gojo bridge holding hands in a summer evening watching fire works. Such a scene comes out quite naturally and blends well into this 1200 years old city built around ancient tradition catering to Imperial family, lord chamberlains, lord reagents and court ladies including those who preferred same sex companions.
Relationships amongst Female were not penalised elsewhere in the world either Orient(Japan) or Europe (Sweden) in human history. They have been protected by sovereign monarch since such relationship were more readily blossomed in highly privileged or educated environment such as in and between princess and lady in waiting, court poets, court musicians and likes amongst those who are blessed with exceptional beauty like Li Min (Venus) and An Chen (Diane). When a woman look for a soul of mother in another woman, such bond can grow often stronger than relationship with a male. I as a bystander, can almost visualise their ethereal love precipitate and purify, then crystallise into a precious jewel.
Mylène Jampanoï impresses every viewers with such a captivating screenplay so real and natural She is simply outstanding! Throughout my life, I have never seen a such an exceptionally perfect mixture of both Eastern and Western worlds in any one person to this date. Needless to mention even in 1116 models whom I photographed for Pinup and Calendar market between 1980 and 1994 in San Francisco Bay Area. No one has even come a halfway near to such an incredible perfection in projecting beauties from the both side of worlds with such balance and harmony that I find in this actress. I was so stunned and could not help but repeatedly keep asking myself "What Have I done with my life?" "have I been a blind or sleeping all these years? You have to be very patient and watch the entire length of movie to understand her indispensable assets that are uniquely of her own due to the fact that her incredible beauty comes out to afore from her soul. Look for an intimate smile filled with warmth and bliss in the scene by the temple where she releases 108 doves into the sky with Chen An. Once you discover her inner beauty it is very hard for anyone regardless of gender or age not to love her. Her image will stay behind your eyes for days.
Sadly there is only one Mylène in this entire world of 6 billion people. I am a mixture of oriental and occidental myself but I look more oriental except for my mouth snd nose. In fact I am extremely envious of her parents for being blessed with a daughter with such extraordinary ability, beauty, talents and wisdom. It always has been one of my life long dream to have children with more perfect mixture from the both worlds, I married an American lady of Germanic heritage. But all our children look more like occidental with a long and pointed nose along with turquoise blue eyes not harmoniously blend in with oriental crowds.