My heavens, how quickly those communists seem to stray from their ideals. My first reaction to DEFA's film is to cringe at the physical comedy-I hate that crap. The role it took in the film, the focus in my opinion, obviously moves the audience to kids. That is really no surprise, given DEFA's historical background, but seems much more "kid only" focused than the Grimm's edition. I enjoyed reading the Grimm's version of the story. I did not enjoy watching this film.
But back to the Communists burying their high ideals for the proletariat under a pile of balsa-wood cars and hats with furry ears. Look at DEFA's version of Snow White. We talked about how it stresses the traits that bright, individualistic children need to become cogs in the machine. There was that scene working in the kitchen, showing children how important inane work really is. The social elite are portrayed as pigs in Snow White. By the time DEFA made The Devil and his Three Golden Hairs it looks like they were pretty much out of the brainwashing business and looking to be the next Disney. Sure, the king is still a pig, but that is about it. The change I was least pleased with in the story line was how they made Jacob just a stupid boy as opposed to marked by fate. I understand that Marx hated fate because it turned down his offer to escort her to the communist prom. However, DEFA freely switches between two very distinct male hero story archetypes. They make no attempt to explain why it is good to be stupid. All it does is make the implicit point that fate should not be considered a guiding force in life.
The major change, or rather subtraction, of fate in the movie, coupled with the cinematics obviously designed for children make the DEFA version of the story really not worth telling in my opinion. I feel like they should have either done their job better and properly brainwashed the soft minds viewing it to be better cogs in a better machine or found a more interesting story to tell. Don't get me wrong, I really like the Grimm's version of the tale. I just wish DEFA had given me what I wanted.
Song of the blog: "Nobody's Perfect" by Hannah Montana. Just like DEFA.
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I totally agree. I hated that the boy was just stupid rather than fortunes favorite. I mean he did appear lucky but there was no adress of this and his stupidity was frustrating. It was like DEFA was saying you can be stupid, clumsy, and kind, and everything will turn out alright.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I could be completely off track, maybe it's not necessarily DEFA's viewpoint as it is of the majority in Eastern Europe?
ReplyDeleteAll in all, disappointing film, agreed.
If this film were made in the US, I could see Zac Efron (High School Musical) portrayed as Jacob (although I'm not a fan of his) -- just thought I'd add that in.