Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Favourite Films, The Scent of Green Papaya

I thought I would share with you one of my favourite films, 'The Scent of Green Papaya', this masterpiece directed by Vietnamese/French director Tran Anh Hung is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, it's a work of art.


The story is set in Saigon in the 1950's (It's so refreshing to see a film set in Vietnam that does not involve war and violence) it centres around the life of a ten year old girl Mui who is sent from the country to work as a servant for a somewhat dysfunctional, wealthy merchant family, Mui (Lu Man San) is clever and resourceful and she sees  beauty in all that surrounds her, we see her going about her daily tasks, finding wonder in everything.  The story is spiritual and embraces Buddhism.


Mui blossoms into a beautiful young woman (Tran Nu Yen-Khe), she leaves the family who have fallen on hard times and goes to work for a friend of theirs; a young, handsome musician, who is engaged...


The film won Camera d'Or at the 1993 Cannes film festival and was nominated for an academy award for best foreign film 1993.  The film is in Vietnamese with subtitles but there is not much dialogue and as the film is so visually stunning, it's very easy to follow without even reading the subtitles.













Available here
and here

11 comments:

  1. It sounds like something that I would like. It's going on my wishlist.

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  2. This looks like a great film. It is going on my netflix list.

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  3. I love a subtitled film and I haven't seen that. Thanks for the recommendation, one to look out for at the library. xxx

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  4. Ooh this sounds really interesting, i'll definetly be checking it out. I may have to be a bit naughty and see if i can find it uploaded on the internet somewhere, although i'll have to make sure it's good quality :) x

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  5. I love discovering new films. This looks beautiful!! Can't wait to add it to my netflix list!!

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  6. I love the sound of this. A film set there with no war or violence sounds absolutely up my street. I'm off to Amazon for the second time today. Thanks for the recommendation. Hope you're having a good week xx

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  7. I will most certainly hunt this down on your recommendation. xo

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  8. Thank you! I am a total movie buff (especially foreign films) and have never heard of this one. I am going to Netflix now and if I have no luck, off to Amazon I go. Wonderful - the photos are beautiful and I can't wait to see it!

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  9. I am surprised I haven't seen it. I know what I'm going to watch this weekend, thanks to you!

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  10. Hi Dash
    These pictures are beautiful, I've never seen this film. Thanks for the recommendation
    Sharon
    xx

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  11. Hi Dash

    Funny you should mentioned it as I received this film in my Christmas stocking. I am in the midst of Indochine for a second time and will move this film to the top of the list. It looks wonderful, thanks so much for recommending it.

    Thanks for your comment today! :)

    Jeanne xx

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