Textuality » 4A Interacting
ANNA AND THE KING
I think that Tuptim's execution is the strongest sequence of the film., because in this scene there is a comparison between the two cultures: Siamese and Christianity culture. During Tuptim and Balat's execution, both Anna and the King pray . Moreover this scene represents a change. As a matter of fact the king understands that he shouldn't inspire fear or appear strong to be a good king , moreover he shouldn't respect injustice lows. Anna understands that Siamese culture is highly different from Christian one and so he decides to left Siam.
I think also that the film does not make the common mistake of overvaluing or mystifying Eastern culture. At the beginning English were considered treacherous but successively King's ambassador betrayal the king revealing the equality of cultures. The respective religions are presented instead as different paths. Siamese culture accept polygamy while Christianity accepted monogamy only.
The speaking voice is the King's firstborn .I think the director choose this narrative technique because the children represents the union between two cultures . The most important themes discussed in the film are love , conflicts between cultures and betrayal . The most important king's change consists in understanding that he is happy whit an only woman. Love derives from conflicts between cultures as a matter of fact at the film's beginning there are contrast between Anna tradition, for example equality of man and King's one, for example the King' s adoration . Last but not least I think betrayal connected conflict and love, because through betrayal the king understands who are faithful people