Some questions on Blade Runner to replace those in the Critical Reader for Weeks 6-7!!
1. How has Blade Runner been received critically since its 1982 release?
2. How many versions of the film are there, when, and what are the differences?
3. Blade Runner is a highly complex movie has been described as a 'palimpsest' of clues and layers that rewards repeated viewing.
In particular, it is full of visual and written clues and references (often ironic) that help us in 'reading' it, but they are easy to miss. Here are some references that you can Google. Follow the clues:
- Zhora (snake dancing replicant) and Leon are staying a hotel called the Yukon at 1187 Hunterwasser St. What significance does the name Yukon have? (clue: frontier. colony). What is the significance of the name Hundertwasser? (clue: architecture, irony, dystopia)
- When Deckard goes to the Snake Pit nightclub in Chintown, Zhora (unseen) performs a dance called 'Miss Salome and the Snake.' What does this reference? (clue: Bible, John the Baptist).
- Not long after Roy arrives at Sebastian's apartment (after he kisses Priss and before he plays chess), he toys with the broken-half of a Barbie doll. In what way might this be allegorical?
- In the climactic scene in which Roy (uncomfortably for many viewers) kisses his 'father', Tyrell, what does the kiss represent? (clue: New Testament, Judas)
- Sebastian's apartment is located in the Bradbury building. How is this significant (clue: SF author Something Wicked this Way Comes).
- Much of the film is set in 21st century LA's Chinatown. How is this iconic? (clue: film noir, Polanski, femme fatale).
4. What did you think of the film? Does following these kinds of clues affect your appreciation of the movie?
Oh~ I’ve found a comment on the Blade Runner from Wikipedia too – answer for Q1. According to Wikipedia, "the film has since become a cult classic and also important concern of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, such as overpopulation, globalization, climate change and genetic engineering". Also, some critics from the audiences are received as follow: “some were not pleased about the movie but other people enjoyed the movie a lot about where it took place and how every scene’s complexity” (Wikipedia)
According to the Critical Reader (2008, p.232), "It spurred the world-wide interest in his work, leading to the republication of his science-fiction titles of the publication of his mainstream novels."
Furthermore, Tim Dirks has given comment to the film, "The ambitious, enigmatic, visually-complex film is a futuristic film noir detective thriller with all its requisite parts - an alienated hero of questionable morality, a femme fatale, airborne police vehicles called "Spinners", dark sets and locations in a dystopic Los Angeles of 2019, and a downbeat voice-over narration. The film mixed in some western genre elements as well, and is thematically similar to the story in High Noon (1952) of a lone marshal facing four western outlaws."
Q.4 -Tim Dirks has told us the China Town brings an incessant acid rainfall, mist, and fog to the dreary, grimy, congested landscape. The city, a mélange of Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, and other metropolitan areas, is in ruins. The neon-lit, dark, downtown streets are populated by the lower class dregs of society, an odd beleaguered assortment of police, Asians, Spanish, street gangs and punks carrying glowing umbrella handles. (http://www.filmsite.org/blad2.html)
In my own opinion, the writer wanted to make an irony to the Asian cities. He wanted to show to the audience how the cities were undeveloped and dirty. With the contrast of the pyramid, the pyramid represented the western cultures, which meant the western cities were more high class than Asian countries.
Q.4 Opps, the question I answer above should be Q.3
I find that the film is just fine to me. In the beginning, it’s boring. The director put an introduction before the first scene. This should be able to help the audience to understand what the film talks about. However, when Leon is being questioned by an officer, I don’t really know what’s going on. And when Deckard is eating his noodles, he is caught by the police to help to find the NEXUS. When he talks to the DR in the pyramid, it seems too much talking and a bit waste of time with the Rachel’s part. In the middle part, it started to give the audience the clue with Deckard has a fight with Zhora. And the appearance of Pris and Sebastian makes the story clearer to me. And I’m surprised that Sebastian betrays Dr. Tyrell. This is the part that I appreciate. Pris is also a surprising character. The kiss makes me think of the bible story – Judas betrayed Jesus and gave him a kiss. For the last fighting scene I’m disappointed. Deckard shouldn’t win Roy. Roy should have killed him easily.
Hmm… Edmond I guess your opinion makes a sense… It’s putting the western society above the asian society. What I thought about the reason of setting the LA’s Chinatown in the films was that… the director just wanted to show another world to viewer in our world. You know.. it’s contrasting that we are different… I’m not belong to their world/society and so do you.
According to Wikipedia,there are 7 versions of "Blade Runner" as Yuna told.
1. Original workprint version(1982,113 minutes)- it was shown to audience test previews in Denver and Dallas in March 1982 and was seen in 1990 and 1991 in Los Angeles and San Francisco as a Director's Cut without Scott's approval. Negative responses to the test previews led to the modifications resulting in the U.S. theatrical version while positive response to the showings in 1990 and 1991 pushed the studio to approve work on an official director's cut.It was re-released with 5-disc Ultimate Edition in 2007.
2.A San Diego Sneak Preview(only once in May 1982)- almost identical to the Domestic Cut with three extra scenes.
3.The U.S. theatrical version (1982, 116 minutes)- known as the original version or Domestic Cut, released on VHS in 1983 and laserdisc in 1987.
4.The International Cut (1982, 117 minutes)- known as the "Criterion Edition" or uncut version, included more violent action scenes than the U.S. theatrical version.
5. The U.S. broadcast version (1986, 114 minutes)- the U.S. theatrical version edited for violence, profanity and nudity by CBS to meet broadcast restrictions.
6. The Ridley Scott-approved (1992, 116 minutes ; Director's Cut)- Significant changes from the theatrical version include: removal of Deckard's voice-over, re-insertion of a unicorn sequence and removal of the studio-imposed happy ending.
7. Ridley Scott's Final Cut (2007, 117 minutes), or the "25th Anniversary Edition" - This is the only version over which Ridley Scott had complete artistic control; the Director's Cut was rushed and he was not directly involved. In conjunction with the Final Cut, extensive documentary and other materials were produced for the home video releases culminating in a five-disc "Ultimate Collector's Edition" release by Charles de Lauzirika.(Wikipedia)
Hi,all. I'm not sure but want to answer for the question "What significance does the name Yukon have? (clue: frontier. colony)."
According to Wikipedia, Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three territories.In Yukon's history,coastal and interior First Nations already had extensive trading networks and European incursions into the area only began early in the 19th century with the fur trade, followed by missionaries and the Western Union Telegraph Expedition. By the latter end of the 19th century gold miners were trickling in on rumours of gold, creating a population increase justifying the setting up of a police force, just in time for 1897's start of the Klondike Gold Rush. The increased population coming with the gold rush led to the separation of the Yukon district from the Northwest Territories and the formation of the separate Yukon Territory(Wikipedia). I think this is related to the background of "Blade Runner" because it is based on the period that the migration of the Earth people begins in earnest to other planets due to the excessive increase of the population with the progress of civilization.During this process, the replicants which are made for humans' convenience revolt against people and infiltrate into the Earth.
I'm going to answer for "What is the significance of the name Hundertwasser? (clue: architecture, irony, dystopia)".
I searched about Hundertwasser and dystopia.Firstly,Hundertwasser was an Austrian painter, architect and sculptor. His name Friedensreich Hundertwasser means, "Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water". The common themes in his work are a rejection of the straight line, bright colours, organic forms, a reconciliation of humans with nature, and a strong individualism(Wikipedia). Also, a dystopia is the vision of a society that is the opposite of utopia. A dystopian society is a state in which the conditions of life are miserable, characterized by human misery, poverty, oppression, violence, disease, and/or pollution(Wikipedia).When I think about the mood of "Blade Runner", it is really gloomy, humid and dark as if the reflection of dystopian society.However,there is the street called Hundertwasser which means "Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water" contrary to the mood. I think that's irony.
Hi, guys. How is it going? I think it's complicated and confused to answer the questions for week6-7. Actually, I don't understand well this movie coz I watched it without subtitle!(^_^;) So, I tried to find some information about this movie on the internet.Hope you guys can find the suitable answers. See you on Thursday.
I think the broken-half doll represents the NEXUS body. They know their bodies have problems so they gotta find Dr. Tyrell to fix it. And according to the conversation below, Roy wants to have an endless life to live. He wants everything to be perfect on him. Therefore, he picks on the doll and feels corny.
Roy: It's not an easy thing to meet your maker. Tyrell: What can he do for you? Roy: Can the maker repair what he makes? Tyrell: Would you like to be modified? Roy: (To Sebastian) Stay. (To Tyrell) I had in mind something a little more radical. Tyrell: What - What seems to be the problem? Roy: Death. Tyrell: Death. Well, I'm afraid that's a little out of my jurisdiction, you.
Hi,Edmond.I agree with most of your opinion but I think Roy doesn't want to have endless life.He just wants to live like humans because replicants can live for 4 years only.Although Roy has enough power to kill Deckard, he doesn't kill him in the end part of the movie and says that "All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain...time to die...". Therefore, Roy knows that both of replicants and people die someday. How do you think about it?
Hi Edmond and SungHee... I could find many good comments from you guys. I agree with both of you... actually. ^^~ I'd like to believe that Roy didn't want the endless life as SungHee said. But WHO KNOW? I had a friend who dreamed about the ENDLESS LIFE so he said, if he can, he will make a DRUG or MEDICINE for it. ><''
Yea you’re right. I was disappointed that Roy didn’t kill Deckhard. If Roy understood everything at the end, why wouldn’t he just keep on living? Sometimes it doesn’t have to be a good ending, if Deckhard dies and Roy rules the world will be a surprised ending to the audience.
Hi, guys. I found some sentences about Salome in Mark and Matthew in Bible.
"Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced.She pleased Herod and his dinner guests.The king said to the girl "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath,"Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother,"What shall I ask for?" " The head of John the Baptist." she answered. At once the gil hurried in to the king with the request:" I want to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So immediately sent an excutioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went,beheaded John in the prison,and brought back his head on a platter.He presented it ti the girl,and she gave it to her mother.On hearing of this,John's disciples came and took his body and laid in tomb."(Mark 6:21-29). This story is appeared in Matthew 14:6-11 as well. According to Wikipedia,Salome or Salomé (Greek Σαλωμη) the Daughter of Herodias is known from the New Testament in connection with the death of John the Baptist. Christian traditions depict her as an icon of dangerous female seductiveness, for instance depicting as erotic her dance mentioned in the New Testament or concentrate on her lighthearted and cold foolishness that, according to the gospels, led to John the Baptist's death.(Wikipedia)
From my point of view, Zhora is a femme fatal character in the movie. Femme fatal means "deadly woman" in French.A femme fatale is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetypal character of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her male victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural, hence the most prosaic femme fatale today is still described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, female monster or demon.(Wikipedia) Salome is a typical femme fatal example in literary works so Zhora might be relate to Salome in Bible because Zhora is not only a sexy dancer but also a trained killer.
Q1. Blade Runner has received 2 Oscars award and 9 wins and 14 nominations. This includes Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Effects, Visual Effects award in USA.
It was accredited with Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA. Some of the awards are best director and best science fiction film.
2. There are over 6 version of this movie. This includes Original version and domestic cut copy.
The difference of the copy is the 1992's director version. It was unauthorized in 1991.
Some of the edition was created because due to unsuitable language and copyrights concern.
As my group mates have expressed the popularity of the moive in America in 1982, so I refer to the situation in Hong Kong instead.
The films critics considered that the movie confused the audience as the theme of the movie was very hard to perceive. Besides, there was the release of “Alien 2nd”, which was well received at the same time in Hong Kong (HK) . As a result, “Blade Runner” was less popular in HK and cut off the period of showing.
I would like to express my opinion on Question two. There are seven versions of "Blade Runner" in accordance with Wikipedia. To some of the Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Japan ,the second and fifth versions were not available to them. The seven versions have already been stated by Sunghee. Yet, I have some extra information on the fourth version.
The International Cut (1982, 117 minutes) also known as the "Criterion Edition" or uncut version, included more violent action scenes than the U.S. theatrical version.
Although initially unavailable in the U.S. and distributed in Europe and Asia via theatrical and local Warner Home Video laserdisc releases, it was later released on VHS and Criterion Collection laserdisc in North America, and re-released in 1992 as a "10th Anniversary Edition".[97]
21 comments:
Some questions on Blade Runner to replace those in the Critical Reader for Weeks 6-7!!
1. How has Blade Runner been received critically since its 1982 release?
2. How many versions of the film are there, when, and what are the differences?
3. Blade Runner is a highly complex movie has been described as a 'palimpsest' of clues and layers that rewards repeated viewing.
In particular, it is full of visual and written clues and references (often ironic) that help us in 'reading' it, but they are easy to miss. Here are some references that you can Google. Follow the clues:
- Zhora (snake dancing replicant) and Leon are staying a hotel called the Yukon at 1187 Hunterwasser St. What significance does the name Yukon have? (clue: frontier. colony). What is the significance of the name Hundertwasser? (clue: architecture, irony, dystopia)
- When Deckard goes to the Snake Pit nightclub in Chintown, Zhora (unseen) performs a dance called 'Miss Salome and the Snake.' What does this reference? (clue: Bible, John the Baptist).
- Not long after Roy arrives at Sebastian's apartment (after he kisses Priss and before he plays chess), he toys with the broken-half of a Barbie doll. In what way might this be allegorical?
- In the climactic scene in which Roy (uncomfortably for many viewers) kisses his 'father', Tyrell, what does the kiss represent? (clue: New Testament, Judas)
- Sebastian's apartment is located in the Bradbury building. How is this significant (clue: SF author Something Wicked this Way Comes).
- Much of the film is set in 21st century LA's Chinatown. How is this iconic? (clue: film noir, Polanski, femme fatale).
4. What did you think of the film? Does following these kinds of clues affect your appreciation of the movie?
Hey guys… ^^~ no one is here yet!
I’ve been ‘BUSY’ working on Fanfiction thing… it looks like all of you’ve done it well.
Anyway my answer for Q2 is…
* 7 different versions of Blade Runner from Wikipedia *
1. Workprint version (1982, 113mins)
2. A San Diego Sneak Preview shown only once in May 1982
3. The U.S. theatrical version (1982, 116mins)
4. The International Cut (1982, 117mins)
5. The U.S. broadcast version (1986, 114mins)
6. The Ridley Scott-approved (1992, 116mins; Director's Cut)
7. Ridley Scott's Final Cut (2007, 117mins), or the "25th Anniversary Edition”
Oh~ I’ve found a comment on the Blade Runner from Wikipedia too – answer for Q1.
According to Wikipedia, "the film has since become a cult classic and also important concern of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, such as overpopulation, globalization, climate change and genetic engineering". Also, some critics from the audiences are received as follow: “some were not pleased about the movie but other people enjoyed the movie a lot about where it took place and how every scene’s complexity” (Wikipedia)
Q.1
According to the Critical Reader (2008, p.232), "It spurred the world-wide interest in his work, leading to the republication of his science-fiction titles of the publication of his mainstream novels."
Furthermore, Tim Dirks has given comment to the film, "The ambitious, enigmatic, visually-complex film is a futuristic film noir detective thriller with all its requisite parts - an alienated hero of questionable morality, a femme fatale, airborne police vehicles called "Spinners", dark sets and locations in a dystopic Los Angeles of 2019, and a downbeat voice-over narration. The film mixed in some western genre elements as well, and is thematically similar to the story in High Noon (1952) of a lone marshal facing four western outlaws."
http://www.filmsite.org/blad.html
Q.4
-Tim Dirks has told us the China Town brings an incessant acid rainfall, mist, and fog to the dreary, grimy, congested landscape. The city, a mélange of Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, and other metropolitan areas, is in ruins. The neon-lit, dark, downtown streets are populated by the lower class dregs of society, an odd beleaguered assortment of police, Asians, Spanish, street gangs and punks carrying glowing umbrella handles. (http://www.filmsite.org/blad2.html)
In my own opinion, the writer wanted to make an irony to the Asian cities. He wanted to show to the audience how the cities were undeveloped and dirty. With the contrast of the pyramid, the pyramid represented the western cultures, which meant the western cities were more high class than Asian countries.
Q.4
Opps, the question I answer above should be Q.3
I find that the film is just fine to me. In the beginning, it’s boring. The director put an introduction before the first scene. This should be able to help the audience to understand what the film talks about. However, when Leon is being questioned by an officer, I don’t really know what’s going on. And when Deckard is eating his noodles, he is caught by the police to help to find the NEXUS. When he talks to the DR in the pyramid, it seems too much talking and a bit waste of time with the Rachel’s part.
In the middle part, it started to give the audience the clue with Deckard has a fight with Zhora. And the appearance of Pris and Sebastian makes the story clearer to me. And I’m surprised that Sebastian betrays Dr. Tyrell. This is the part that I appreciate. Pris is also a surprising character. The kiss makes me think of the bible story – Judas betrayed Jesus and gave him a kiss. For the last fighting scene I’m disappointed. Deckard shouldn’t win Roy. Roy should have killed him easily.
Hmm… Edmond I guess your opinion makes a sense… It’s putting the western society above the asian society. What I thought about the reason of setting the LA’s Chinatown in the films was that… the director just wanted to show another world to viewer in our world. You know.. it’s contrasting that we are different… I’m not belong to their world/society and so do you.
I'm going to add on Yuna's comment for Q2.
According to Wikipedia,there are 7 versions of "Blade Runner" as Yuna told.
1. Original workprint version(1982,113 minutes)- it was shown to audience test previews in Denver and Dallas in March 1982 and was seen in 1990 and 1991 in Los Angeles and San Francisco as a Director's Cut without Scott's approval. Negative responses to the test previews led to the modifications resulting in the U.S. theatrical version while positive response to the showings in 1990 and 1991 pushed the studio to approve work on an official director's cut.It was re-released with 5-disc Ultimate Edition in 2007.
2.A San Diego Sneak Preview(only once in May 1982)- almost identical to the Domestic Cut with three extra scenes.
3.The U.S. theatrical version (1982, 116 minutes)- known as the original version or Domestic Cut, released on VHS in 1983 and laserdisc in 1987.
4.The International Cut (1982, 117 minutes)- known as the "Criterion Edition" or uncut version, included more violent action scenes than the U.S. theatrical version.
5. The U.S. broadcast version (1986, 114 minutes)- the U.S. theatrical version edited for violence, profanity and nudity by CBS to meet broadcast restrictions.
6. The Ridley Scott-approved (1992, 116 minutes ; Director's Cut)- Significant changes from the theatrical version include: removal of Deckard's voice-over, re-insertion of a unicorn sequence and removal of the studio-imposed happy ending.
7. Ridley Scott's Final Cut (2007, 117 minutes), or the "25th Anniversary Edition" - This is the only version over which Ridley Scott had complete artistic control; the Director's Cut was rushed and he was not directly involved. In conjunction with the Final Cut, extensive documentary and other materials were produced for the home video releases culminating in a five-disc "Ultimate Collector's Edition" release by Charles de Lauzirika.(Wikipedia)
Hi,all.
I'm not sure but want to answer for the question "What significance does the name Yukon have? (clue: frontier. colony)."
According to Wikipedia, Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three territories.In Yukon's history,coastal and interior First Nations already had extensive trading networks and European incursions into the area only began early in the 19th century with the fur trade, followed by missionaries and the Western Union Telegraph Expedition. By the latter end of the 19th century gold miners were trickling in on rumours of gold, creating a population increase justifying the setting up of a police force, just in time for 1897's start of the Klondike Gold Rush. The increased population coming with the gold rush led to the separation of the Yukon district from the Northwest Territories and the formation of the separate Yukon Territory(Wikipedia).
I think this is related to the background of "Blade Runner" because it is based on the period that the migration of the Earth people begins in earnest to other planets due to the excessive increase of the population with the progress of civilization.During this process, the replicants which are made for humans' convenience revolt against people and infiltrate into the Earth.
I'm going to answer for "What is the significance of the name Hundertwasser? (clue: architecture, irony, dystopia)".
I searched about Hundertwasser and dystopia.Firstly,Hundertwasser was an Austrian painter, architect and sculptor. His name Friedensreich Hundertwasser means, "Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water". The common themes in his work are a rejection of the straight line, bright colours, organic forms, a reconciliation of humans with nature, and a strong individualism(Wikipedia). Also, a dystopia is the vision of a society that is the opposite of utopia. A dystopian society is a state in which the conditions of life are miserable, characterized by human misery, poverty, oppression, violence, disease, and/or pollution(Wikipedia).When I think about the mood of "Blade Runner", it is really gloomy, humid and dark as if the reflection of dystopian society.However,there is the street called Hundertwasser which means "Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water" contrary to the mood. I think that's irony.
Hi, guys. How is it going?
I think it's complicated and confused to answer the questions for week6-7. Actually, I don't understand well this movie coz I watched it without subtitle!(^_^;)
So, I tried to find some information about this movie on the internet.Hope you guys can find the suitable answers. See you on Thursday.
For Q.3
I think the broken-half doll represents the NEXUS body. They know their bodies have problems so they gotta find Dr. Tyrell to fix it. And according to the conversation below, Roy wants to have an endless life to live. He wants everything to be perfect on him. Therefore, he picks on the doll and feels corny.
Roy: It's not an easy thing to meet your maker.
Tyrell: What can he do for you?
Roy: Can the maker repair what he makes?
Tyrell: Would you like to be modified?
Roy: (To Sebastian) Stay. (To Tyrell) I had in mind something a little more radical.
Tyrell: What - What seems to be the problem?
Roy: Death.
Tyrell: Death. Well, I'm afraid that's a little out of my jurisdiction, you.
Hi,Edmond.I agree with most of your opinion but I think Roy doesn't want to have endless life.He just wants to live like humans because replicants can live for 4 years only.Although Roy has enough power to kill Deckard, he doesn't kill him in the end part of the movie and says that "All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain...time to die...". Therefore, Roy knows that both of replicants and people die someday. How do you think about it?
Hi Edmond and SungHee... I could find many good comments from you guys. I agree with both of you... actually. ^^~ I'd like to believe that Roy didn't want the endless life as SungHee said. But WHO KNOW? I had a friend who dreamed about the ENDLESS LIFE so he said, if he can, he will make a DRUG or MEDICINE for it. ><''
Sunghee,
Yea you’re right. I was disappointed that Roy didn’t kill Deckhard. If Roy understood everything at the end, why wouldn’t he just keep on living? Sometimes it doesn’t have to be a good ending, if Deckhard dies and Roy rules the world will be a surprised ending to the audience.
Hi, guys. I found some sentences about Salome in Mark and Matthew in Bible.
"Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced.She pleased Herod and his dinner guests.The king said to the girl "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath,"Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother,"What shall I ask for?" " The head of John the Baptist." she answered. At once the gil hurried in to the king with the request:" I want to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So immediately sent an excutioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went,beheaded John in the prison,and brought back his head on a platter.He presented it ti the girl,and she gave it to her mother.On hearing of this,John's disciples came and took his body and laid in tomb."(Mark 6:21-29).
This story is appeared in Matthew 14:6-11 as well.
According to Wikipedia,Salome or Salomé (Greek Σαλωμη) the Daughter of Herodias is known from the New Testament in connection with the death of John the Baptist. Christian traditions depict her as an icon of dangerous female seductiveness, for instance depicting as erotic her dance mentioned in the New Testament or concentrate on her lighthearted and cold foolishness that, according to the gospels, led to John the Baptist's death.(Wikipedia)
From my point of view, Zhora is a femme fatal character in the movie. Femme fatal means "deadly woman" in French.A femme fatale is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetypal character of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her male victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural, hence the most prosaic femme fatale today is still described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, female monster or demon.(Wikipedia)
Salome is a typical femme fatal example in literary works so Zhora might be relate to Salome in Bible because Zhora is not only a sexy dancer but also a trained killer.
I take Q1/2
Q1. Blade Runner has received 2 Oscars award and 9 wins and 14 nominations. This includes Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Effects, Visual Effects award in USA.
It was accredited with Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA. Some of the awards are best director and best science fiction film.
2. There are over 6 version of this movie. This includes Original version and domestic cut copy.
The difference of the copy is the 1992's director version. It was unauthorized in 1991.
Some of the edition was created
because due to unsuitable language and copyrights concern.
This is my opinion on Question one.
As my group mates have expressed the popularity of the moive in America in 1982, so I refer to the situation in Hong Kong instead.
The films critics considered that the movie confused the audience as the theme of the movie was very hard to perceive. Besides, there was the release of “Alien 2nd”, which was well received at the same time in Hong Kong (HK) . As a result, “Blade Runner” was less popular in HK and cut off the period of showing.
I would like to express my opinion on Question two. There are seven versions of "Blade Runner" in accordance with Wikipedia. To some of the Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Japan ,the second and fifth versions were not available to them. The seven versions have already been stated by Sunghee. Yet, I have some extra information on the fourth version.
The International Cut (1982, 117 minutes) also known as the "Criterion Edition" or uncut version, included more violent action scenes than the U.S. theatrical version.
Although initially unavailable in the U.S. and distributed in Europe and Asia via theatrical and local Warner Home Video laserdisc releases, it was later released on VHS and Criterion Collection laserdisc in North America, and re-released in 1992 as a "10th Anniversary Edition".[97]
Post a Comment