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Dr Tim Barnard | History | NUS | Back to GEM2005/HY2243 |
GEM 2005/ HY2243
FILM AND HISTORY
Feedback on Project 3
General Comments:
Films such as Iron Monkey and Seven Samurai tell us very little. If the students had read Rosenstone, and thought about some of the concepts that have been raised so far, they would realize that the films do not accurately reflect the Chinese and Japanese past. But, they do reflect our perception of this past. They reflect ideals and dilemmas of the time they were made, but fool us into believing a noble past that is simplified down to kung fu moves and sword fights. Thus, these films tell us more about 1950s Japan and 1990s Hong Kong than anything else. (After all, although Iron Monkey was entertaining, it told us nothing about late Ching China - gee, corrupt officials, that is part of any martial arts film no matter what era).
Double Tick: (Grade 85)
Articulates this in a remarkable fashion
Tick plus: (Grade 75)
Well-written and argued. Raises the important points. Says that it tell us nothing about the Japanese and Chinese past, but tell us a lot about perceptions of this past.
Tick: (Grade 65)
Raises some doubts about how "true" these depictions are. Martial arts films are entertaining, but help spur an interest in history.
Tick Minus: (Grade 55)
"We learn about corrupt officials and how people dressed." "Shaolin monks were bad." "We know Shaolin monks are good so the films are not accurate." Recounts the plot of the films in detail (it's OK if they do it a little, but they are probably wasting their 500 words). Could have been better written and articulated.