Please write a thoughtful, thorough 3-page response to the film performance (M. Butterfly).
https://www.amazon.com/M-Butterfly-Jeremy-Irons/dp/B0079D93L8
(this video required 2.99 renting fee)
Here are some questions to get you started. These questions are to be used as a starting point. You do not need to answer every question. Please do not write a list of bullet points/answers. Support your observations with specific examples of scenes, characters, or design elements.
1)Please give a brief description of the performance you saw. In 1-2 sentences, what was the play about? What was the basic plot and/or what events occurred in this film version of the play? What was the main conflict?
2)What themes or ideas were addressed in the play? In what ways was the play topical or relevant to todays world? Interesting or not interesting to you?
3)Were there any performances by particular actors that stood out? Which characters did they play? What, specifically, was memorable/ believable/ engaging about their performances?
4)Were there any design elements that you found interesting/ appealing/ intriguing/ unsettling/ memorable? This could include lighting, costumes, make-up, set, music, or other elements. How well did they serve the story?
5)What was your emotional or visceral response to the film? What did it make you think about? Was there anything surprising about the performance?
6)Drawing on concepts discussed in class, what style or styles do the playwright and/or film director use or borrow from? Give examples of elements that reflect those styles.
7)Was this film production of the play effective? Did the production meet or exceed your expectations? How and why?
8)Transferring a play to film can mean significant changes. What changes did you notice? Do you feel the playwright’s original intent translated to the screen?Why or why not?
8)Anything else that stood out? Questions or ideas that the film brought up for you?
