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diminishing because <strong>of</strong> Western society's obsession with keeping human existence under<br />

rational control and within fixed parameters. The recourse to the archetypes and myths in the<br />

film is a way <strong>of</strong> underlining their potential - both at social and individual levels - to shape<br />

people's perspectives and hence generate possible new life perspectives. The construction <strong>of</strong><br />

the film's final images seem to reflect this notion, in that the camera first frames the Conrads'<br />

boat (a realistic image), and then slowly moves backwards until it becomes smaller against<br />

Seattle's silhouette which is enveloped in a beautiful sunset (a poetic image). This is a clear<br />

cinematic statement that we are surrounded by natural wonders, provided that we take the<br />

time to become aware <strong>of</strong> this.<br />

Notes<br />

1. The myth narrates that Pandora was created on Zeus's command to punish Perseus and mankind for<br />

having stolen the sacred fire. Zeus sent Pandora to Earth to marry Perseus's brother, and knowing her<br />

curiosity, he gave her a beautiful vase with a strong recommendation never to open it. As expected,<br />

Pandora opened the vase, thus letting out all the punishments. After days <strong>of</strong> devastation. Pandora<br />

discovered that at the bottom <strong>of</strong> the vase, only one thing was left: hope.<br />

References<br />

Grazzini, G. (1993) review in L 'Indipendente, 10th <strong>of</strong> December, in Mirabella, JC. and Pitiot,<br />

P. (ed.) (1999) Inter-vista a Bemardo Bertolucci, Rome: Gremese Editore.<br />

Grodal, T. (1997) Moving Pictures, Oxford: Oxford <strong>University</strong> Press.<br />

Niogret, H. (1993) review in Positif, n.394, December, in Mirabella, JC. and Pitiot, P. (ed)<br />

(1999) Inter-vista a Bemardo Bertolucci, Rome: Gremese Editore.<br />

Smith, M. (1995) Engaging Characters, Oxford: Oxford <strong>University</strong> Press.<br />

Socci, S. (1996) Bemardo Bertolucci, Milan: II Castoro Cinema.<br />

269

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