Wk#14 (4/18-4/22)

Chinese 307 |   三年中文: 從電影看中國文化的承傳與創新
 Through the Cinematic Lens: Old and New China in Film
十四週時間表 

Topic #4  從不一樣的喜劇來看藝術電影和商業電影的價值

課程題目與目標 Lesson Topic & Goals:
1.  透过幾種類型的喜劇片来看中國票房電影和藝術電影的不同;
2.  準備辯論題目: 制作艺术电影比商业电影重要。同意还是反对?

討論電影:

Wk #13: 《尋槍》The Missing Gun (China, 2002); Screening Notes
Wk#14:  《手机》Cell Phone (China, 2003) 
           or 《海角七號Cape No.7  (Taiwan, 2008)  完整版預告 Screening Notes – to be screened on Monday 4/18.
Wk#15:  《少林足球》Shaolin Soccer (Hong Kong, 2001)

Monday 4/18____________________________________________
1. 討論點:
a. 在国外,艺术类电影的生存空间相当大,比如在法国,观众较高的艺术素养就是艺术电影票房的保证。
b. 在国内,艺术片票房业绩不佳的现象继续延续。由于缺乏专门的艺术院线,艺术影片上映困难,导致投入产出资金周转不灵,艺术电影的制作数量减少。
c.  国外的艺术院线也会放映商业片,通过艺术风格较为鲜明或口碑较好的商业片带动观看。待市场培养起来,人群集聚多了,商业片所占比重就可以缩小。
d. 2009年,国产电影在类型上有了新的突破,也出现许多大成本的电影,电影的工业化转型进一步找寻市场。主流影片商业化,一些艺术个性很强的大导演放弃强烈的个人意识,面向市场拍片,希望成为卖座影片:
 e. 从国际方面看,国际大奖一向是对于电影艺术成就的认可。

2. 分组準備辯論:
组一:Riccardo, Nitai, Phillip
组二:Ada, Emily, Taylor 
组三:   Bo, Edmund
组四:   Colin, Liz

HW to be completed before Wednesday’s class on 4/20:
1.  準備辯論
2.  翻譯功課: 《海角七號Cape No.7  (Taiwan, 2008)  完整版預告 Screening Notes (turn in by next Monday 4/25)

Wednesday 4/20_______________________________________
1.  決定哪些電影(中國美國或別的國家)適合辯論題目。看全球票房最高的前20名電影。(見下)
2. 練習辯論。
3. Absence: 组一:Riccardo; 组三:   Bo; 组四:   Colin (please complete the following assignment as make-up work):
翻譯下面5點成英文: (Post under Comments)
商业片和艺术片的区别:
1. 什么是艺术电影,什么又是商业电影呢,界限没有那么明显,就拿今年的《King’s Speech》来说,是商业片呢还是艺术片呢?难道仅仅依靠票房来评价谁好谁壞吗?
2. 对于商业电影和艺术电影的区别,一般只是简单地描述为一个是以赢利为目的,一个不以赢利为目的。但是这样的区分会造成误解。我们应高从比较更深一层来看。一般而言,商业电影对于大众的价值观是遵循的,而艺术电影则会不断挑战大众的价值观,突破普通人的道德底线,探寻人性的深度。
3. 一个电影首先要好看,不管它让你感动还是让你反思,这才是最重要的,不是吗?
4. 电影是多元化的,满足不同人的需要,喜欢看什么由自己决定,艺术片是娱乐大脑,商业片是娱乐眼球。
5. 商业电影与艺术电影的区别不是以票房而论。商业性电影往往迎合观众的喜好,多数好莱坞大制片厂的电影都是这样的。而艺术电影则大多充满特殊的、个人风格化的电影语言,很多时候甚至主动与观众造成不亲近的感觉,让观众产生不舒服的感觉,引起观众的反感来表达艺术的目的。

HW to be completed before Friday’s class on 4/22:
翻譯功課:
艺术片比商业片有意义:
1. 喜欢看艺术片的观众多是喜欢想像和思考的人,他们觉得商业片实在是太肤浅,不愿意浪费时间!
2. 艺术片比较有内涵和深度,也许看了一次不懂导演的讯息,可以一看再看,是值得回味的经典
商业片比艺术片发展的空间大:
1. 商业片仅供消遣,故事内容不需要太严肃。观众没有时间和心情去分析电影,也不要希望看了电影后有挫折感
2. 商业电影的目的就是要普通大众从电影中找到娱乐性来疏解现实生活的负担和压力。
3. 电影就是一种产品,商业电影让人心甘情愿花钱去看,有人买就有人拍,竞争激烈自然会越拍越好。艺术电影没有观众看,没有人批评没有进步,那么就会慢慢淘汰了!

Friday 4/22____________________________________________
1.  检查功课
2. 練習分组辯論: (Debate prosponed to Wed. 4/27 due to absences of students on Wed.)
组一:Riccardo, Nitai, Phillip
组二:Ada, Emily, Taylor 
组三:   Bo, Edmund
组四:   Colin, Liz
3. 开始写影评:你可以选择中文或英文电影。

Paragragh 1 (draft completed by Monday 4/25 5:00 p.m.): 开头应该包含两层意思。一是对分析的对象(即这部作品)做个简单的介绍:叫什么名字(标题),作者是谁(那个台拍的),讲了什么内容,表达什么主题等。二是对这部作品做个总的评价,就是提出全文的中心论点,如“这部片子拍得很成功”等等。

Paragraph 2 (draft completed by Friday 4/29 before class)中间是主体,要求具体分析这部片子的成功之处,有哪些创作经验。提出三个方面的特点,还可在前面加上“第一、第二、第三”,或“首先、其次、再次”。

Paragraph 3  ((draft completed by Monday 5/2  5:00 p.m.)  最后是结尾,是解决问题,即结论部分。这部分很短,主要对全文作总结,或指出其不足,或提出希望,或补充说明,或照应开头。。

HW to be completed before Monday’s class on 4/18:
1.  翻譯功課: 《海角七號Cape No.7  (Taiwan, 2008)  完整版預告 Screening Notes
2. 準備辯論 (不要缺席!Be sure to come to class!!!)

相關連接 Related Links:
1. 《海角七號》(Cape No. 7) 是一部2008年的台灣電影
2. 票房破62.06亿- 2009中国电影艺术与产业备忘; accessed on 4/14 at http://culture.people.com.cn/GB/70806/70982/10858520.html.

Next week (Wk#15): 
Monday: Discuss our last film | Student Evaluation
Wednesday:  in-class writing assignment: 怎么写影评? 
Friday:  in-class writing assignment

Save the date: May 11 (Wednesday) 4:00pm-6:00pm WY209
Class party for all 3rd-year students and graduating seniors in Chinese!
Take-out dinner from Tthe acoma Szechuan!

 背景閱讀資料 Background Reading Materials:
1. What Is Independent Film? – (accessed on 4/19 at http://www.askdeb.com/blog/movies/what-is-independent-film/).
2. New York Times Movie Review – The Missing Gun: It Would Have Been Much Easier if He’d Just Misplaced His Keys, By ELVIS MITCHELL (Published: April 2, 2003; accessed on 4/10 at http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D06EFDF1139F931A35757C0A9659C8B63.)
3. New York Times Movie Review – Happy Times: Where Happiness Comes in Small Dollops, by A. O. SCOTT (Published: July 26, 2002; accessed on 4/10/11 at http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C05E0DB1138F935A15754C0A9649C8B63.)
3. Film Review – Tropical Fish by DAVID ROONEY (Published on Aug 20, 1995; accessed on 4/10/11 at  http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117910007?refcatid=31.)

26 thoughts on “Wk#14 (4/18-4/22)

  1. 制作艺术电影比商业电影重要。同意还是反对?

    同意:
    1。 艺术电影有文化的价值,艺术电影会提出社会评论,让观众讨论复杂的问题。
    2。 艺术电影的导演可以传达讯息。
    3。 艺术电影一定有各别的特质,商业电影没有这样的多样性。

    反对:
    1。 商业电影会给很多人工作:导演,演员,照明,音乐,特效,戏装,制片人,等等。
    2。 一些商业电影有续集或者是三部曲,所以这些电影一定有追随者,他们支持电影工业。
    3。 一部人看商业电影以后会懂电影的讯息,多数人可能欣赏和理解。

  2. 艺术电影三点:
    Art movies create awareness about social problems.
    Art movies are more fulfilling to watch because of greater focus on message and story.
    Art movies are produced with more thought and care.
    艺术电影提高对社会问题的关心。
    艺术电影对人更有满足,是因为故事,主旨受到更好的重点。
    艺术电影拍得更好,有更多的照顾,理智主义。
    满足: mǎnzú-fulfilling
    主旨: zhǔzhǐ-message
    理智主义: lǐzhì zhǔyì-intellectualism

    商业电影三点:
    Commercial movies are more entertaining and have better production.
    Commercial movies don’t require any reflection or thinking.
    Commercial movies are a part of popular culture.
    商业电影比艺术电影引人入胜,有优质的制作。
    商业电影不需要个人反思。
    商业电影是大众文化的一部分。
    引人入胜: yǐnrénrùshèng-entertaining
    优质: yōuzhì-high quality
    制作: zhìzuò-production
    大众文化: dàzhòngwénhuà-pop culture

  3. 列出藝術電影的重要性:(三點)
    導演會透過許多藝術電影來描寫他們的訊息, 好像社會種種的問題.
    藝術電影是一個真正的藝術作品, 並不是為了觀眾而創作的所以比較有意義.
    藝術電影有教育性, 觀眾看了之後可能會提高他們的智慧.

    灣列出商業電影的重要性:(三點)
    商業電影會給觀眾娛樂, 可以讓他們輕鬆是因為他們不需要反思.
    成功的商業電影常常都會有很大的開支, 所以對國家的經濟會比較好.
    許多商業電影也會有一個很好的訊息, 可以讓觀眾改變他們的日常行為.

  4. Colin, Liz
    商业电影比较重要。

    1。 商业电影有优质的制作。
    2。 商业电影会给很多人工作:导演,演员,照明,音乐,特效,戏装,制片人,等等。
    3。 一些商业电影有续集或者是三部曲,所以这些电影一定有追随者,他们支持电影工业。
    4。 商业电影的内容常常反映社会的趋向。
    5。 商业电影也有一个很好的讯息,可以让观众反思自己。

  5. 商业片和艺术片的区别:
    1. 什么是艺术电影,什么又是商业电影呢,界限没有那么明显,就拿今年的《King’s Speech》来说,是商业片呢还是艺术片呢?难道仅仅依靠票房来评价谁好谁壞吗?
    2. 对于商业电影和艺术电影的区别,一般只是简单地描述为一个是以赢利为目的,一个不以赢利为目的。但是这样的区分会造成误解。我们应高从比较更深一层来看。一般而言,商业电影对于大众的价值观是遵循的,而艺术电影则会不断挑战大众的价值观,突破普通人的道德底线,探寻人性的深度。(南粤论文中心(代写代发论文,论文网,论文)-WWW.NYLW.NET)
    3. 一个电影首先要好看,不管它让你感动还是让你反思,这才是最重要的,不是吗?
    4. 电影是多元化的,满足不同人的需要,喜欢看什么由自己决定,艺术片是娱乐大脑,商业片是娱乐眼球。
    6. 商业电影与艺术电影的区别不是以票房而论。商业性电影往往迎合观众的喜好,多数好莱坞大制片厂的电影都是这样的。而艺术电影则大多充满特殊的、个人风格化的电影语言,很多时候甚至主动与观众造成不亲近的感觉,让观众产生不舒服的感觉,引起观众的反感来表达艺术的目的。
    5.( seldom seen kid. says: December 4, 2010 at 9:45 pm
    Art-house movies:Generally speaking they’re made on low budgets [well actually they all are pretty much.] and they tend to be less cinematic, by this i mean that they don’t have great big action sequences or stereoptyical stories. They’re basically for directors who want to experiment with film making and try out new things, without caring whether or not anyone will actually like them. They aren’t made for a certain type of viewer if you understand what I mean.They also tend to do well at film festivals, check out anything that’s been at Cannes, Toronto film festival and the Raindance film festival. If you don’t usually watch stuff like that, go for something by Noah Baumbach, namely The Squid and The Whale [or Margot at The Wedding.]. Classic art film – Eraserhead. [very peculiar indeed though, directed by David Lynch].
    6. In my understanding, an art movie is something that is “personal” to the director; something that he “owns for himself”. The concept is as simple as that. There is no relevance to see that the common-audience likes it (though one would love to). There is no relevance to see that the movie achieves fame (though one would love to). There are no underlined factors to grow revenues. In other words, a director conveys his “candid thoughts” in the most natural way possible.

    艺术片比商业片有意义:
    1. 喜欢看艺术片的观众多是喜欢想像和思考的人,他们觉得商业片实在是太肤浅,不愿意浪费时间!
    2. 艺术片比较有内涵和深度,也许看了一次不懂导演的讯息,可以一看再看,是值得回味的经典

    商业片比艺术片发展的空间大:
    1. 商业片仅供消遣,故事内容不需要太严肃。观众没有时间和心情去分析电影,也不要希望看了电影后有挫折感
    2. 商业电影的目的就是要普通大众从电影中找到娱乐性来疏解现实生活的负担和压力。
    3. 电影就是一种产品,商业电影让人心甘情愿花钱去看,有人买就有人拍,竞争激烈自然会越拍越好。艺术电影没有观众看,没有人批评没有进步,那么就会慢慢淘汰了!

    The popularity of Cell Phone among the cinema-goers is evident in its strong box office performance. Having achieved ¥50 million in box office within a month after release (US$6.4 million in total according to Business Week[3]), the film became the best-selling domestic production in 2003.[1] The film also clinched all three top awards at the 2004 Hundred Flowers Awards, which is based on viewer voting. However, it failed to bag any award or even acquire nomination for any of the major awards at the jury-based Golden Rooster Awards in the same year. According to Golden Rooster’s leading juror Zhong Chengxiang, albeit being popular among viewers, Cell Phone lacked “class and style”.[4] Producer Wang Zhongjun retorted that viewers’ approval is of the utmost importance and rejected the Golden Rooster as an award that has “not a single bit of commercial driving force”.[5] On the other hand, the official Huabiao Awards gave out an unprecedented special award to Cell Phone for its achievements in “market development”, signifying official recognition of the market forces and taste of the masses.

  6. 虽然艺术电影和商业电影都有好坏处也影响,但是商业电影对社会更重要。商业电影会给很多人工作。比如说,导演,演员,照明,音乐,特效,戏装,制片人,等等。在家上,很多的本土商业受益于电影带来的钱。最后一些商业电影有续集或者是三部曲,所以这些电影一定有追随者,他们支持电影工业。就此商业电影跟重要并不意味着艺术电影不重要。可是商业电影带来更大的影响。通过系连很大的受众商业电影挣更多钱。这个情事导致促进影业也同时根当地的经济利益有助于

  7. 艺术片比商业片有意义:
    Artistic films have more significance than commercial films.
    1. 喜欢看艺术片的观众多是喜欢想像和思考的人,他们觉得商业片实在是太肤浅, 不愿意浪费时间!
    Many people who like to watch artistic films are those who like to imagine and ponder things. They feel commercial films really are too superficial and are not willing to waste their time on them.
    1. 膚淺 (fu1qian3) superficial; shallow
    2. 浪費 (lang4fei4) to waste; to squander

    2. 艺术片比较有内涵和深度,也许看了一次不懂导演的讯息,可以一看再看, 是值得回味的经典。
    Artistic films have relatively more meaning and depth. Perhaps if you see it once and don’t understand the director’s message, you can watch again. They are classics worth reflecting upon.
    3. 內涵 (nei4han2) connotation; meaning
    4. 值得 (zhi2de2) to have value; to deserve
    5. 回味 (hui2wei4) aftertaste; to reflect on; to ponder over
    6. 經典 (jing1dian3) classics; scriptures

    商业片比艺术片发展的空间大:
    Commercial films have more room to grow than artistic films.
    1. 商业片仅供消遣,故事内容不需要太严肃。观众没有时间和心情去分析电影, 也不要希望看了电影后有挫折感。
    Commercial films are only for amusement. The content of the stories do not need to be serious. The audience does not have time or the mood to go analyze movies. Nor do they have any desire to feel frustrated after watching a movie.
    7. 僅供 (jin3gong1) only for
    8. 消遣 (xiao1qian3) to kill time; amusement; diversion
    9. 嚴肅 (yan2su4) serious; solemn
    10. 分析 (fen1xi1) to analyze; analysis
    11. 挫折感 (cuo4zhe2gan3) frustration

    2. 商业电影的目的就是要普通大众从电影中找到娱乐性,来疏解现实生活的 负担和压力。
    The purpose of commercial films is to just get the general population to find entertainment in movies – in order to ease the burden and pressure of real life.
    12. 疏解 (shu1jie3) to mediate; to mitigate; to ease; to relieve

    3. 电影就是一种产品,商业电影让人心甘情愿花钱去看,有人买就有人拍,竞争激烈 自然会越拍越好。艺术电影没有观众看,没有人批评没有进步,那么就会慢慢淘汰了!
    Movies are just one type of good. Commercial films make people perfectly happy to spend money to go see them. Someone buys it then someone films it. Competition is fierce, so naturally the more filmed the better. Artistic films do not have an audience watching them. They don’t have people criticizing and they don’t have improvement. So they will gradually die out.
    13. 心甘情願 (xin1gan1qing2yuan4) delighted to; perfectly happy to do
    14. 淘汰 (tao2tai4) die out; eliminate

  8. What is an art movie, what is a commercial film, the boundaries are not very distinct. Take the kings speech for example. Is it a commercial or art film? It can’t just be box office acclaim that values a film.
    For commercial and art films differences, they are generally described simply as for profit or not. But a distinction like this would be misleading. We should look for a deeper level of comparison. In general, commercial films adhere to the public’s values. Were art films continue to challenge the public’s values, break through ordinary peoples bottom line. And explore the depths of human nature.
    A movie should be good to watch, whether is touches you or make you reflect is the most important right?
    Films are diversified to meet many different peoples needs. You’re free to watch what ever you like. Art films are entertaining to the brain; commercial films are entertaining to the eye.
    Commercial films and art films are not the same in the box office. Commercial films focus on what the audience likes. The majority of films made in Hollywood are like this. But an art film is filled with special characteristics. Personal film language style, in many cases the audience does not connect with the theme., making the audience feel uncomfortable thus the audience feels adverse to the artistic goal.

  9. People who like watching art films are the type of people who like to think and reflect. They feel that commercial films are superficial, and are not willing to waste the time.
    Art films have more meaning and depth, and perhaps you wont understand the directors message the first time watching. You can watch it again and again, its worth looking at the development from commercial and art films.
    Commercial films that are only for entertainment do not need to have to serious of a story. The audience is not in the mood or does not have the time to analyze the film. And don’t want to watch a film with frustration.
    The purpose of a commercial film is found in what makes the majority of the audience entertained, used to ease the burden and pressure of real life.
    Films are a product, commercial films make people want to spend money to go see them, if some one will buy it then someone will film it. there is a fierce natural competition to get better and better. Not very many people see art films; there is no one to criticize it so no improvement. Then they will slowly disappear.

  10. 翻譯功課:
    艺术片比商业片有意义:
    1. 喜欢看艺术片的观众多是喜欢想像和思考的人,他们觉得商业片实在是太肤浅,不愿意浪费时间!
    The audience that enjoys art films like visuals and like to reflect on characters. They believe that blockbuster films are too superficial and don’t want to waste their time watching them.
    2. 艺术片比较有内涵和深度,也许看了一次不懂导演的讯息,可以一看再看,是值得回味的经典。商业片比艺术片发展的空间大:
    Art films have more meaning and depth; sometimes watching it just once you won’t understand the director’s message. You can watch it again and again and it would still be worth it to reflect on the classics. Blockbuster films, compared to art films, have more availability to grow and develop.
    1. 商业片仅供消遣,故事内容不需要太严肃。观众没有时间和心情去分析电影,也不要希望看了电影后有挫折感。
    Blockbuster films are only for killing time and the storyline doesn’t have to be very serious. Audience members don’t have time or mood analyze the movie. They also don’t have the desire to be frustrated after watching the movie.
    2. 商业电影的目的就是要普通大众从电影中找到娱乐性,来疏解现实生活的负担和压力。
    Blockbuster movies’ purpose is to target the common masses and to entertain them so that they can relive themselves of the burden and pressures of reality.
    3. 电影就是一种产品,商业电影让人心甘情愿花钱去看,有人买就有人拍,竞争激烈自然会越拍越好。艺术电影没有观众看,没有人批评没有进步,那么就会慢慢淘汰了!
    Movies are like a commodity. Blockbuster movies let people to spend money to watch because if people buy tickets, then there will films to make. To compete, naturally the more you films the better they get. Art movies don’t have spectators to comment or criticize so there is no improvement; therefore, it will slowly wash out and disappear.

  11. Art films are more important than moneymaking films:
    1. An audience that likes to watch art films is an audience that likes to imagine and reflect. They feel that moneymaking films are in reality too shallow, and they do not want to waste their time.

    2. Art films are relatively meaningful and deep. Seeing one for the first time, it’s possible not to understand the director’s meaning. Seeing it again, it is worthy of reflection.

    The market for money making films is greater than for art films:
    1. Moneymaking films are only for wasting time, so the plot does not need to be too serious. The audience doesn’t have the time or the desire to analyze a film, and also does not want to be frustrated afterwards.
    2. The purpose of a moneymaking film is to amuse the largest audience and ease the pressures of real life.
    3. A movie is just one kind of product. Moneymaking films allow people to spend money, and there are people who will buy, and there are people who will film. This intense competition naturally results in more movies with more quality. Art films do not have an audience. Without criticism, there is no improvement, and like that, it can just fade away.

  12. Artistic films are more meaningful than commercial films:
    1. The people who like to watch artistic films often like to reflect. They think commercial films are too superficial and are unwilling to waste their time.
    2. Artistic films have more meaning and depth. Even if they do not understand the director’s message, they can re-watch it many times. It is a classic piece that’s worth pondering over.

    Commercial films have more room to develop than artistic films:
    1. Commercial films know how to entertain; the content does not need to be too serious or complicated. The audience does not have time and are not in the mood to depict the movie. Also, they do not want to feel frustrated after watching the movie.
    2. The main purpose of a commercial film is to entertain the general audience to ease the burden and pressure of real life.
    3. Film is a product; people are willing to spend the money to watch a commercial film. If people are willing to watch it, there will be people willing to film it and the more competition the better the movie is filmed. There is no audience for artistic films. Thus, artistic films cannot improve because there’s no criticism and will slowly phase out.

  13. 1, Audiences who enjoy art films also enjoy imagining and reflecting on the films. They believe business-oriented films are really shallow and are not worth wasting time to see.
    2. Art films have a relatively larger depth of meaning and profundity. Perhaps the first time you see a movie you may not understand the director’s message and you may need to watch it again and are worth being reflected upon as classics.
    1. Business- oriented movies only serve to waste time since the story and content do not require serious thought. Audiences do not have time or are in the mood to analyze the movie, and also do not wish to be frustrated after the movie ends.
    2. Commercial films’ exact purpose is to provide the general masses with entertainment, and to mitigate the reality of the burden of real life (provide an escape from the reality of day to day life)
    3. Movies are just one kind of good/service. Commercial films make people willing to spend money to go see. Some people buy, some people shoot, naturally the fierce competition allows the movies to be better and better. Art movie audiences believe that if people do not criticize then there will be no progress and slowly poor movies can be eliminated.

  14. 广受好评- widspreadc (ally)acclaimed- guangshouhaoping
    市场营销- advertising- shì​chǎng​yíng​xiāo​
    有争议性的-controversial

  15. 鏡頭 – scene
    主題 – main topic
    不清楚 – unclear
    複雜 – complicated
    很久 – old
    節奏 – pace
    搞笑 – comedic
    分析 – depict
    劇情 – plot
    介紹 – introduction
    製作 – production
    經費 – budget
    成本 – budget
    拍的手法 – filming style

  16. 預告片yùgàopiān movie trailer
    爭議性zhēngyì xing4 controversial
    勵志lìzhì to encourage
    現代觀念xiàndài guānniàn modern ideas
    戲劇性xìjùxìng dramatic
    適合家庭 shìhé jiātíng family friendly
    情緒 qíngxù emotional

  17. 迪文,寧芝

    節奏 (jie2zou4) tempo
    特效 (te4xiao4) special effects
    空鏡頭 (kong1jing4tou2) empty shot
    固定鏡位 (gu4ding4jing4wei4) fixed camera position
    長鏡頭 (chang2jing4tou2) long shot

  18. In recent years, there has been an economic recession for Tawainese films because of funding difficulties. It cost fifty million Taiwan dollars to film Cape No. 7 and it is one of few large, high-budget movie productions. However, not a lot of money was spent on advertising the movie and it was mostly viewed through BBS and blogs. The movie became popular through public praise and is considered a miracle in Taiwan’s film industry. Afterwards, the box office had a break through of 50 million Taiwan dollars and consequently caught the attention of the news media that resulted in positive effect for the movie. On December 12, 2008, the first round of the nationwide theater statistics recorded a total box office of 530 million Taiwan dollars for Cape No. 7. In the history of Taiwan films’ box office success, this movie is only second after Titanic. Among national/Chinese films, Cape No. 7 is clearly ranked first. The movie also had the best box office success during the first week showing in Hong Kong. From December 23, 2008, the box office has reached 7.61 million Hong Kong dollars.

  19. “Cape No. 7” Screening notes:

    In recent years, Taiwanese films have been in a long-term depression. It is difficult to raise money. But “Cape No. 7” spent NT$50,000,000 to film. Of the few recent Taiwanese films, it is one of the productions with the largest budget. However the above-mentioned film did not have a large amount of expenses in publicity. In the beginning most publicity went through BBS and blogs. Public praise brought it to become highly popular. It was regarded as Taiwanese films’ miracle. After the box office broke through NT$50,000,000, it began to attract new attention from news media, adding fuel to the fire. On December 12, 2008, at the end of the first round of the nationwide screening, the box office totaled NT$5,300,000,000. In history of Taiwanese films box office records, “Cape No. 7” is second only to the champion “Titanic”. It seems that among national films/Chinese language films’ box office record, “Cape No. 7” ranks number 1. And in Hong Kong, in the first week the film screened, it also ranked as Hong Kong’s box office champion. On December 23, 2008, the box office reached HK$7,610,000.

    1. 低迷 (di1mi2) depression (esp. economic)
    2. 籌資 (chou2zi1) to raise resources, money
    3. 耗資 (hao4zi1) consume; waste funds; to spend; expenditure
    4. 成本 (cheng2ben3) production cost
    5. 宣傳 (xuan1chuan2) publicize; propaganda
    6. 花費 (hua1fei4) expense; cost
    7. 初期 (chu1qi1) initial stage
    8. 口碑 (kou3bei1) public praise; public reputation
    9. 抬 (tai2) to lift; to raise
    10. 被視為 (bei4shi4wei2) was regarded as
    11. 奇蹟 (qi2ji1) miracle; wonder
    12. 新聞媒體 (xin1wen2mei2ti3) news media
    13. 推波助瀾 (tui1bo1zhu4lan2) to push the wave and add to the billows; to add fuel to the fire
    14. 首輪 (shou3lun2 ) first round (of a competition)
    15. 正式 (zheng4shi4) formal; official
    16. 僅次於 (jin3ci4yu2) second only to
    17. 冠軍 (guan4jun1) champion

  20. Translate the following paragraph:
    台灣電影近年長期低迷、籌資困難,但《海角七號》共耗資新台幣5,000萬元拍攝,是台灣電影近年來為數不多的較大成本製作之一,不過該電影在宣傳上並沒有大量花費,初期大部分是透過BBS與部落格,以口碑拉抬出了超高人氣,被視為臺灣電影奇蹟[4];而後票房突破新台幣5,000萬才開始吸引新聞媒體的目光,起了推波助瀾的效果。2008年12月12日全國首輪戲院正式下片後統計總票房為5.3億元。在台灣電影史票房記錄,僅次於冠軍《鐵達尼號》;若以國片/華語片票房排名,《海角七號》便居第一名。而在香港方面上映首週更穩坐香港票房冠軍,票房方面至2008年12月23日止,達到761萬港幣。
    Taiwan movies recently experienced a long term economic depression with difficulty in raising resources. But “Cape No. 7” made 5 million yuan on the film and is one of Taiwan’s small number of large productions hat did not have great expenditure in production. Most people learned the movie from BBC, blogs, or word of mouth to promote its popularity. It was considered Taiwan’s top 4 and after that, hitting 5,000 million, it started to attract media and created a momentous effect. On December 12, 2008, the country’s first round of showings of official statistics showed that the movie made 5.3 million dollars in the box-office. It was one of Taiwan’s box-office records only second to the champion movie “Titanic.” If they were only counting Chinese films, “Cape” would be ranked first. In Hong Kong, it is the box office champion in respect to December 23, 2008, it made 7.61 million in Hong Kong dollars.

  21. Cape No. 7 Translation

    Taiwanese movies in recent years have been going through a long term depression with financial and funding difficulties but altogether Cape no. 7 cost 50 million NTD to shoot and it is one of a small number of Taiwanese movies in recent years with comparatively large production costs. However in terms of marketing, they did not have very many expenses because initially a majority of it was conducted through BBS and blogs. Because of its reputation and buzz that raised public opinions, it is deemed as the Taiwanese movie miracle; it broke through at the box office making 50 million NTD initially which attracted the news media attention which added momentum and hype to the movie. Initial formal screenings stopped on December 12th 2008 and they added up the box office statistics that revealed that the film made 530 million yuan. This was Taiwanese box office record, barely second to “鐵達尼號”; in terms of national films/ Chinese language films box office rankings “cape no.7” resides as the most famous. Moreover with respect to Hong Kong screenings, in the first week it was the box office champion. Through December 23rd 2008 it brought in 7.61 million Hong Kong dollars

  22. 1. What is an art film, what is a commercial film? The boundary is not very distinct. Take this year’s film The King’s Speech as an example. Is it a commercial film or an art film? Could it be that you only depend on the box office results to find out who is good and bad?
    2. Regarding the differences between art and commercial films, it generally only simply describes whether or not the point is to make a profit, however this type of differentiation will bring about a misunderstanding. We should compare them from a very deep perspective. Generally speaking, commercial films adhere to the audience’s system of values, whereas art films are unceasing in their challenging of these beliefs and break through ordinary people’s moral baseline and seek the depths of human nature.
    3. A movie should be first and foremost visually appealing, regardless of whether or not it moves you or makes you think. This is of utmost importance, is it not?
    4. Movies are diverse, and they meet the needs of diverse people. People like watching whatever they decide on their own, and art films entertain the brain while commercial films entertain the eyes.
    5. The differences between art and commercial films are more than box office results and discussion. Commercial-type movies often suit the likes and interests of the audience, and most Hollywood productions are of this type. Art films are for the most part very unusual, and have an individual style of movie language, and often times even take it upon themselves to bring about an intimate feeling from the audience, and make the audience uncomfortable which gives rise to a disgusting feeling toward art films’ point of view.
    —————————————————————————————–
    1. Art films are more significant than commercial films:
    Audiences who like watching commercial films are people who like to imagine and reflect upon things. They feel commercial films are actually too superficial and are unwilling to waste their time on them.
    Art films have more meaning and depth, perhaps after watching it once you don’t understand the director’s message, you can watch it again and it will be a classic that is worth reflecting on.
    2. Commercial films develop in a greater space than art films:

    Commercial films are only for amusement, the content of the stories aren’t too serious. The audience doesn’t have time or mood to go and analyze the movie, and don’t need to hope to be frustrated after they watch it.

    Commercial movies’ purpose is only to bring entertainment to the masses, and to ease the pressures and burdens of actual life.

    Movies are only a form of merchandise. Commercial films make people delighted to go and spend money to see them; some people buy and some people produce. The intense competition naturally makes production better and better. Art films have no audience to see them, with nobody criticizing there is no progress, and they will be slowly eliminated.

  23. Translate the following paragraph:
    台灣電影近年長期低迷、籌資困難,但《海角七號》共耗資新台幣5,000萬元拍攝,是台灣電影近年來為數不多的較大成本製作之一,不過該電影在宣傳上並沒有大量花費,初期大部分是透過BBS與部落格,以口碑拉抬出了超高人氣,被視為臺灣電影奇蹟[4];而後票房突破新台幣5,000萬才開始吸引新聞媒體的目光,起了推波助瀾的效果。2008年12月12日全國首輪戲院正式下片後統計總票房為5.3億元。在台灣電影史票房記錄,僅次於冠軍《鐵達尼號》;若以國片/華語片票房排名,《海角七號》便居第一名。而在香港方面上映首週更穩坐香港票房冠軍,票房方面至2008年12月23日止,達到761萬港幣。

    In recent years, Taiwan movies have experienced an economic depression and difficulty raising resources, but Cape No. 7 cost 50 million dollars to produce, and was one of the few largest costs to produce in recent years. Not only did the movie give publicity to propaganda, but it also didn’t have large expenses; initially the majority came through BBS and blogs. The public praise raised the movie up to exceed high expectations, and it can be seen as one of Taiwan movies’ wonderful 4. After that box office numbers exceeded 50 million dollars and the movie began to attract the attention of the news media and create a momentum effect. On 12/12/2008 after all theatres stopped screening the movie, the box office results were above 530 million. In the history of Taiwan box office results, it is a close second only to Titanic. It seems that it is ranked for Taiwan and Chinese language number one. And in Hong Kong it was screened and was even more successful. As of 12/23/2008 it reached 7.61 million HK dollars.

  24. 1. What is an artistic movie and what is a commercial movie, there’s no actual borderline, for example “King’s Speech”, is that a commercial or an artistic movie? Is the success at the box office alone enough to say what’s good and what’s bad?

    2. The main difference between Art and Commercial movies can be mostly described by the “making money” factor. But this could be misleading. In order to compare it we should go deeper. Generally, commercial movies follow public’s tastes, although the artistic movies will also follow public’s tastes, they will challenge people’s morals and explore the depths of human nature.

    3. A movie may look good at first, but the most important aspect should be if the movie moves you, or if it makes you reflect, shouldn’t it?

    4. The movie is diversified to meet different people’s needs, what one likes to have in a movie is a personal choice, artistic movies are a delight for the brain while commercial movies are delight for the eyes.

    5. The difference between Artistic and Commercial movies isn’t on the box-office. Commercial movies tend to pay close attention to the audience’s preferences, many Hollywood movies are like this. On the other hand, artistic movies are filled with special effects, personal film language, in many cases do not result in active and close feeling of the audience, so the audience feels uncomfortable, causing the purpose of the art offensive.

  25. Cape No. 7 Screening Notes:
    Taiwan movies have recently experienced a long-term economic depression because of funding difficulties. It cost fifty million Taiwan dollars to film and produce the film Cape No. 7 and it is one of the few large, high-budget movie productions. However, not a lot of money was spent on advertising the movie. Most people heard about it from BBC, blogs, or word of mouth. It became very popular and is considered a miracle in Taiwan’s film industry. Afterwards, the box office had a breakthrough of 50 million Taiwan dollars and consequently caught the attention of the news media that resulted in a positive reaction to the movie. On December 12, 2008, the country’s first round of nationwide theater statistics recorded a total box office of 530 million Taiwan dollars for Cape No. 7. In the history of Taiwan films’ box office success, the movie is only second after Titanic. Among national/Chinese films, Cape No. 7 is clearly ranked first. The movie also had the best box office success during the first week of showing in Hong Kong. From December 23, 2008, the box office has reached 7.61 million Hong Kong dollars.

  26. 《海角七号》英语翻译

    In recent years, Taiwanese film has suffered a long-term depression, where raising the resources for a movie has become too much of a financial difficulty. However, the film “Cape No. 7” cost a total of NT$50,000,000 to film, one of the most expensive productions for Taiwanese cinema in recent years – but very little money was spent advertising for the film. Initially the majority of publicity for the film came from BBS and blogs. Public praise brought attention to the movie, and the movie’s success was considered something of a miracle in Taiwan. After it broke NT$50,000,000 at the box office, it began to attract the attention of the media, which added fuel to the fire and improved the success of the movie even further as a result. On December 12, 2008 after the movie had stopped screening nationwide, the box office statistics showed that the movie had grossed NT$530,000,000. This makes “Cape No. 7” the second highest grossing film in Taiwanese history, second only (and just barely) to “Titanic.” If you were to look on a list of the highest grossing Taiwanese national films and Chinese language films, you’d find “Cape No. 7” at the top of the list. In Hong Kong, as well, the movie still sits on the throne of box office champion, having grossed HK$7,610,000 by December 23, 2008.

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