MB UNIUD

1.

Tuptim's execution is the strongest sequence of the film. Roger Bondelli's editing juxtaposes the public execution of the lovers with Anna playing in her English home and Mongkut playing at a temple. Instead of showing the failure of Siamese culture, Tuptim and Mongkut accept their culture and the consequences of their actions. However, Anna's Bible offers her no solace, and in her frustration she knocks over her tea service: Christianity isn't without value, but it's inappropriate in Siam and leads to destructions.

I agree, because I think Anna understands that his religion can't change the Siam's culture thanks to that sequence of the film. Tuptim knows the rules of his country and she is responsible of her actions. She wants to challenge them in order to love, even if it is banned. Mongkut has to control the order of his country and he has to be a good King: everyone have to respect the same rules! Even Christianity values can't change Tuptim's destiny so Anna has to respect the Siamese culture and she has to put herself aside.

2.

In this postcolonial retelling of the relationship between the English teacher Anna Leon Owens and King Mongkut, the film does not make the common mistake of overvaluing or mystifying Eastern culture. The Siamese are not portrayed as "inscrutable" or "mysterious" or innately superior. Though the mirror English characters are shown as treacherous and hypocritical, treachery also exists within Siamese culture and is revealed to Mongkut by a self-serving English merchant. Buddhism is portrayed neither as pagan superstitions (as in the earlier movies) nor as more spiritual than Christianity. The respective religions are presented instead as separate paths. The King is shown to be a caring and loving husband to his many wives and concubines. When Anna' son, Louis, asks his mother "Why doesn't Queen Victoria have more than one husband?"--it is less a ridiculous thought than an honest questioning of cultural assumptions.

I agree, because I think that either Christianity and Buddhism are respected in the film. They are in an equal equilibrium and no of the two religions overtops. Even when Anna wants to stop the king's decision to kill the two lovers, the Christianity values don't overtop the Siamese culture. I like the film thanks to that aspect. 

DISCUSSION TOPICS

The film tells about different aspects of two culture: the Eastern culture and the Siamese culture. They try to live together even if it is difficult! Really the Siamese and the Eastern traditions are very different. I think only the empathy and the love between the two main characters let the two culture to live together, as a matter of fact only Anna has the permission to have a confidential relationship with the king.

MESSAGES

Leadership, the king Mongkut, has a specifically duty: to act in a right way. So he has to act in the same way with everyone. Rules have to be respected in order to create a fair country. Feelings have sometimes to be forgotten, because the justice has to be respected.

Who is the speaking voice?

The speaking voice is the Mongkut's son.

Why do you think the director used this narrative technique?

I think that the director used this narrative technique, because he is the major Mangkut's son and he is able to understand what happens in his father's life.