Asian Films Summaries

Tutor

Date

Asian Film Directions

The Seven Samurai is a Japanese drama film that was directed by Kurosawa in 1954. It involves a story that took place during the Sengoku Period in 1586. The major idea of the film is to protect the village farmers from thugs who used to steal their harvest. Recently, the bandits raided the village just after they had harvested to steal the crops. After this attack, the villagers decided to search for help from Shimada Kambei. He hires masterless samurai (six ronin) to teach the villagers on how to defend their properties. The poor farmers would only afford food and a shelter for the samurai.

The entire film reflects how the villagers were going through a massive army of enemies and terrific war with the forty bandits. However, the seven samurai would ensure that they won the battle despite the problems and obstacles they faced. According to the film, forty bandits invaded the village leading to a giant battle. The battle made the farmers incur huge losses despite their preparedness. The battle ended leaving thirteen thieves under captivity and the three samurai. The samurai stood still watching the villagers sing with joy while planting crops. The movie ends congratulating the farmers as victors.

The Last Samurai is an American action film that was produced and directed by Edward Zwick in 2003. Tom Cruise portrays a U.S. Captain of the Regiment of the 7th Cavalry. Tom finds himself into contact with samurai culture during the Meiji Restoration in Japan. The main idea of the film is to obtain an advisor who would train the Japanese army in the art of contemporary war. The film reflects an American military consultant Tom Cruise (Nathan Algren) who is signed up by a Japanese Emperor to train the army that will be used to exterminate the samurai culture while the government prepares for friendly trade policies with the westerns. Unfortunately, Tom is captured by the samurai and in the process learns about their past and way of life. He seems comfortable and enjoying the samurai traditional culture. He finds himself at the middle of the struggle amid the two eras.

Farewell my concubine is a Chinese drama movie that was produced and directed by Kaige Chen in 1993. The film discovers the impact of political mayhem on the individual, family, and social lives of the Chinese in the 20th century. The main idea of the film is about two men Cheng Dieyi and Xiaolou Duan who met as learners in Peking Opera and retained their friendship for more than fifty years.

The film reflects a young men Leslie Cheung ( Dieyi Cheng) and Fengyi Zhang (Xiaolou Duan) who are found training at an Opera House in Beijing. Zhang is a specialist in playing male parts while Cheung takes the female parts. According to the film, Cheung pretends to fall in love with Zhang onstage; Cheung starts to develop true love feelings towards his co-actor Zhang. It is clear that the two men maintained their complicated relationship for more than fifty years while China experiences turbulent transformation.

Raise the Red Lantern is a Chinese film that was directed by Yimou Zhang in 1992. The story is about an educated young girl who turns to be among the concubines of a rich man during the Era of Warlord. The main idea of the film is about a teenage girl who would learn to observe strict rules and pressure after being married as a concubine of a rich lord.

The film reflects a young woman Gong Li (Songlian) who is overwhelmed by her father’s death. The situation has left the family poor and bankrupt. She is forced to get married by her stepmother. Later, she is married as the third concubine of a rich man Ma Jingwu (Master Chen). Gong Li later discovers that she and other concubines are rutted against one another behind the luxurious house in an effort for Master Chen affections; a situation that leads to jealousy, dishonesty, and disclosure of everyone’s darkest top secrets.

Taigukgi: The Brotherhood of War is an extremely emotional and touching South Korean action movie that was directed by Je-Gyu Kang in 2004. The starring of the film is Bin Won and Jang Dong. The major idea of the film concerns two brothers who were drafted into the army by force following the outbreak of war. The film reflects Jang Dong who took part in looking for his younger brother. He carries his duties effectively so that he is released early to take care of Won Bin. Jang would work as a shoe shiner to earn money and pay for his school fees. Later the Korean War erupts and both are involved in the battle. Jang takes part in protecting his little brother by bargaining with the commander that he will take the riskiest mission for the sake of shielding his brother. However, Won Bin is not aware of Jang’s great intentions, which lead to misunderstanding. Won Bin remains upset of his elder brother’s offhand deeds until Jang turns to be a hero who leaves his little brother shocked and amazed.