the feminine archetype in cinema

by sam_micheal | January 22, 2011 at 07:22 am
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i've been wanting to write an essay about this because the feminine archetype is somewhat - a face of God. In this essay, we'll examine five relevant films: Ichi, Shinobi, Princess Blade, Ring (Korean version), and Kung Fu Hustle. Ichi is a remake of the famous Japanese persona of Zatoichi (but starring an incredibly beautiful Japanese girl). Shinobi is a 'real version' of Naruto, perhaps the most famous Japanime in the history of TV. Naruto has incredible action scenes, realistic intimacy, unbelievable ninja magic, but most of all - impressive values. Shinobi brings to film all of that and more. Ring presents Eun-suh, a misunderstood and feared gifted girl who can manipulate matter (psychokinesis) and energy. Quite honestly, if she wanted me for her lover, i could never say no. (Not because she'd likely kill me out of rejection - but because of the essential purity and goodness of her.) Now many of you who know the story will say "Sam, that's insane. How can you want to make love with a demon-girl who murders people with the power of her mind?" The reason i'd want to be her man is because i feel, in the story, she was basically misunderstood and under-appreciated. If that story was real, i feel we should make a temple to Eun-suh and worship her. She only killed when people dissed her mother or made unwelcome advances toward her. Later on, she only killed when people did not tell her tragic story. So essentially, her story is about Truth. In Kung Fu Hustle, we find a mute girl who gets continually dumped on by her future boyfriend. The apparent hero of the story is director Stephen Chou. But the true heroine is his future mute girlfriend who, without her, he would be no better than the Beast (the symbol of ultimate evil in the film). (His perception of reality is why i need him to direct The Avatar - if it's ever made.) Finally, we find the heroine of Princess Blade: a very slight girl but unmatchable swords-woman. She can deflect bullets; she can beat the best of them. But she only uses her power for good. If i could choose anyone to 'cover my ass' in battle, it would be Eun-suh or Princess Blade. If they truly loved me, they would be unbeatable. In each story, we find an adorable woman who has some gift. They never use that gift for evil; they only use that gift to conquer evil! Of course, the heroine in Shinobi blinds herself to avoid being murdered by the king (her power is derived by her sight). But to have the courage and power of spirit to blind yourself - in order to retain the love of your man in your heart - is indescribable. It may sound pathetic to some .. But i believe there's strength of character unmatchable in that story .. We find in film the essentials of God: unmatchable power and strength of character, power is only used for good, love is the only motivation for anything, and the fact: She Loves Her man. If we think of man as humanity, we realize we're all the bridegroom of God. Many Christians see the Church as the Bride of Christ. But i believe it's the other way around: We are the Bridegroom; God is the Bride. i know it's not easy for women to see like this (unless they're lesbian). Again i ask: who's more forgiving, accepting, open, loving, caring, nurturing,..? Many educated philosophers of religion will propose God shows whatever face we need to see; we all see different facets/faces of the divine. But i argue this is 'riding the fence'.. There's nothing inherently wrong with proclaiming God's a Woman. i can think of several women that model God's essential characteristics - but only a few men.
Women: mom, Yui, Thai-Grandma, Bee, Chui,.. (to be honest, i think this list is endless)
Men: Gandhi, .. Gandhi, .. Gandhi .. i can't think of anymore offhand..

So if my conjecture is eventually proven as fact, which is It? Man or Woman? If my conjecture is divinely inspired and i claim She's a Woman, what would you guess? ;) .. The bottom line in any essay is: Trust Her; She Knows what's She's Doing.

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YankeeJim

Wow. A writer writes.

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

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YankeeJim
First Flagged at 8:56 AM, Jan 22, 2011 by YankeeJim
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