tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post3221935126661943550..comments2023-05-12T15:43:13.657+08:00Comments on Alyssa Carlier | The Devil Orders Takeout: Chinese Culture [2]: MulanAlyssa Carlierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-2765763733391418102015-06-09T16:14:15.195+08:002015-06-09T16:14:15.195+08:00I have not, actually! I've seen bits and piece...I have not, actually! I've seen bits and pieces and I sort of know the plot. I didn't love-LOVE it, but I think that was more of an issue with cinematography and stuff more than the plot. I really liked how they integrated the ideas of integrity and family reputation and such into it. The most important thing here, I mean, isn't getting rid of the romance. It's making sure the romance fits the culture.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by, Katherine!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-90926328455877230782015-06-08T02:37:59.283+08:002015-06-08T02:37:59.283+08:00Have you have ever watched Mulan: Rise of a Warrio...Have you have ever watched <i>Mulan: Rise of a Warrior</i>? I hadn't actually seen the Disney version, but I started watching this thinking <i>they made a Disney movie off it, right? It has to have a happy ending...</i> Heh. Enter my initiation into another culture...XD <br />I'd be curious to know what you thought of it, though, because it added romance also, though certainly not the romance I was expecting. I can't see a Disney live action doing that, which is sad, because yeah, it seems to defeat the whole point of telling a story from another culture when you change major character arcs just because they don't make sense to your audience. Explain 'em so they do make sense and don't rewrite the characters' entire worldview. :P Katherine S. Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06153023909388700880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-57485444722884535142015-06-02T15:59:34.728+08:002015-06-02T15:59:34.728+08:00Badass princesses are the best type of princesses....Badass princesses are the best type of princesses. ... not that Mulan was even a princess. Yes! The fact that she was protecting her family was just akljsjkl *hugs Mulan despite sword*<br /><br />Yep, originals do get twisted, although I'm more bemoaning the eradication of Chinese cultural values more than the actual details. It's not like we support torture as a culture (except foot-binding, but that's another issue in itself.)<br /><br />The original story is indeed interesting! I've actually written a post for July on the casting, which differs slightly from your opinion -- hope you enjoy reading it :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-59207865808996772752015-05-30T10:01:30.004+08:002015-05-30T10:01:30.004+08:00I have always loved the Disney version of Mulan be...I have always loved the Disney version of Mulan because she's just so badass, and the movie was about her protecting her dad, and the romance wasn't all "my kiss and love will save your life, woman". I mean, they weren't even in a relationship. So super plus points. <br /><br />I think because Disney makes movies aimed at children, and also add aspects that parents can enjoy when watching with their children, they add and change elements to every story they adapt. I mean ... the little mermaid dies in the original tale. Cinderella's stepsisters cut off pieces of their feet and then get their eyes pecked out by ravens and whatnot.<br /><br />I like the original story you have here, though. Twelve years is a SUPER long time for Mulan to have hidden her true identity, and that's amazing. <br /><br />Also, I really want the Disney live action film to cast Chinese actors, and keep far far away from whitewashing it. I want it to be as amazing as the animation!Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04181153932836441611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-90208377275606741152015-05-09T20:03:05.962+08:002015-05-09T20:03:05.962+08:00Really, how fascinating! Cross-cultural melding is...Really, how fascinating! Cross-cultural melding is always amazing :D<br /><br />Yep, although I have to admit some of the Disney adaptations were ... awkward. The animation was always wonderful, it's just that there are some plot and character issues.<br /><br />You could ask your mother to roughly translate some of it! I might write and post a translation on the blog someday :PAlyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-81235146455745888572015-05-09T20:01:46.588+08:002015-05-09T20:01:46.588+08:00I'm glad you enjoyed reading about the differi...I'm glad you enjoyed reading about the differing values! Disney does have to consider modern western viewpoints, not just traditional Chinese values, and I don't fault them for it. Not too much, at least. These values are still important in Chinese life nowadays though, so I think it would be nice for them to take slightly more importance in the live action film.Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-31121331787326261862015-05-09T19:59:49.775+08:002015-05-09T19:59:49.775+08:00You make a fair point there, Disney does have to c...You make a fair point there, Disney does have to consider its Western audience might be less attuned to Chinese audiences. I'm personally biased against love stories anyways, so that's part of the equation, and I'm something of an adaptation purist XD Badassery is definitely important!<br /><br />Still, with all the fuss the Internet's kicking up about the race of the actress (good fuss, of course), I think it's worth discussing how much of the cultural values translate across as well.Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-28840923944535127172015-05-09T18:53:24.110+08:002015-05-09T18:53:24.110+08:00I feel like it's kind of similar to book to mo...I feel like it's kind of similar to book to movie adaptions though - if you know the original that is (from what you say) about family and that's what you love about it, then the movie adaption might not be the thing for you, but if you don't know the original, then the love story is actually quite good. I feel like Disney movies are almost always only based on something rather than a direct adaption, so it's different from a movie adaption of The Fault in Our Stars or something (though even then you usually have to make a lot of allowances if you know both). As long as they keep the badassery, I'm happy. (Though a story mainly about family would be awesomesauce too!)Vlorahttp://www.reviewsandcake.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-63130758038867115142015-05-07T21:23:28.061+08:002015-05-07T21:23:28.061+08:00Well, basically this ballad is the origin of my na...Well, basically this ballad is the origin of my name... I'm called Mulan. My mother is Chinese and my father liked the movie... also they wanted a Chinese name, that Germans could pronounce, so I was called Mulan...<br />I personally think it's okay to make long movies out of short ballads, because basically, the other fairytales they make their movies out of, are often of the same length and yet it isn't bad that they made them.<br />But on the other hand I don't speak almost no Chinese (yes, I'm a poor person) despite of my Chinese mother and I don't exactly know, how the ballad is originally (I mean, I've been told of it when I was little, but that's too long ago...)windspritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06478484772242332262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-6620238039050014992015-05-04T22:02:46.053+08:002015-05-04T22:02:46.053+08:00Thanks for sharing this. It is super interesting t...Thanks for sharing this. It is super interesting to see the different values of the cultures as reflected in the differences between the traditional Mulan and the disney version. Disney catered to the modern feminism movement and to our obsession with love (there always has to be a guy...don't know why, but there always has to be one). The original tale seems to reflect on the values of that time period. They are both beautiful and inspiring in their own ways, I just think it is really neat to compare them. Thanks for sharing. Susanna https://www.blogger.com/profile/00066037966026823577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-28019196204614802672015-05-04T16:50:43.123+08:002015-05-04T16:50:43.123+08:00*high-fives* Yay for Chinese solidarity! I do actu...*high-fives* Yay for Chinese solidarity! I do actually like the original more than the animation due to the lack of romance, but I suppose we all have our own penchants :) The live action should be fabulous, despite the controversy over the race of the actress :)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-69848675995677656712015-05-04T16:49:03.330+08:002015-05-04T16:49:03.330+08:00Ooh yes, Beauty and the Beast was quite nicely don...Ooh yes, Beauty and the Beast was quite nicely done. Especially loved the teapots and such. The original story is more poignant than the Disney, although I am looking forward to watching the live action film!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-28402614832771561792015-05-04T16:47:36.731+08:002015-05-04T16:47:36.731+08:00It is definitely one of the favourites, even with ...It is definitely one of the favourites, even with all the Frozen fever :D I've never read any adaptations other than the original, I think, which was a pain to go through :/ I certainly haven't seen one online, but I might try my own hand at it sometime. (Not the best at poetry, though.)Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-2514463962025060592015-05-04T16:46:10.410+08:002015-05-04T16:46:10.410+08:00... there was a second movie? I did not know that....... there was a second movie? I did not know that. (Way to overcomplicate things, Disney.) Wow, a redhead as Mulan ... I suppose school productions are limited. I'll try to fit them in sometime, and I'm looking forward to the live action one too!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-16711155379166948592015-05-04T16:45:08.487+08:002015-05-04T16:45:08.487+08:00I do enjoy Disney movies, even if I'm not a hu...I do enjoy Disney movies, even if I'm not a huge fan. Of course Mulan is one of my favourites, and OF COURSE the original is better. (Aren't they always?) I'm looking forward to the live-action one too!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-59099366898841498332015-05-04T15:03:40.931+08:002015-05-04T15:03:40.931+08:00Ahh, I totally didn't know that they were goin...Ahh, I totally didn't know that they were going to do a live action for it! I'm extremely excited, being Chinese as well. (And of course because I loved the Disney animation.)<br /><br />I love the original story as much as the animation (despite the lack of romance... heh), and I never knew that her comrades didn't find out that she was actually a girl!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, Alyssa! :)<br /><br />Aimee @ <a href="http://deadlydarlings.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Deadly Darlings</a>Aimee (Aimee, Always)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12987337914677408281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-15864409643933124902015-05-04T07:29:43.556+08:002015-05-04T07:29:43.556+08:00I've never heard the original story of Mulan, ...I've never heard the original story of Mulan, but now I think I like it way better than the Disney adaptation, and that's one of my favourite Disney movies, coming in behind Beauty and the Beast of course. But I read correctly that there is to be a live action version made now? How exciting!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05746017057593508370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-72623266739817433782015-05-03T19:45:36.713+08:002015-05-03T19:45:36.713+08:00Mulan is one of my favorite Disney movies,and even...Mulan is one of my favorite Disney movies,and even though I knew that the actual Ballad of Mulan is pretty different (I think I read a picture book adaptation of it at some point) I still tend to think about the Disney movie when someone mentions Mulan. Do you know if they're any good English translations of the actual ballad?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177685866335675217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-65790514072943872015-05-03T15:59:53.148+08:002015-05-03T15:59:53.148+08:00Mulan has always fascinated me. I knew it was base...Mulan has always fascinated me. I knew it was based on a poem, but the movie (and the 2nd movie, which is just dumb) are really disneyfied and I don't really think the ending was that realistic or anything. They did Mulan at my school a few years ago and my friend (who is a red head) was Mulan. Anyway, I'd be interested in the results of the survey and the live action movie sounds really great. :DSharMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03782160828123089711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-26056770440351782662015-05-03T13:39:54.614+08:002015-05-03T13:39:54.614+08:00I kind of love Mulan! I am not into Disney movies ...I kind of love Mulan! I am not into Disney movies EVER, but I could not turn away from Mulan, I loved it! And the original story is amazing too, probably more so. I think I would see the live-action version too, hopefully it will be done well! <br /><br />Shannon @ <a href="http://itstartsatmidnight.com" rel="nofollow"> It Starts At Midnight </a>Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-77583338764268549552015-05-03T12:07:14.623+08:002015-05-03T12:07:14.623+08:00Well, I love the original more. Like you say, simp...Well, I love the original more. Like you say, simplicity has its own beauty. :)<br /><br />Ooh, on the subject of a Chinese actress, I'm sort of not so sure. Obviously I will murder Disney if they try to cast someone obviously not Chinese, but the borderline cases ... Well, I don't think a border can be drawn. A blog post on that is forthcoming!Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-33939237526065148422015-05-03T11:59:38.350+08:002015-05-03T11:59:38.350+08:00Mulan is kickass and gorgeous - both the Disney ve...Mulan is kickass and gorgeous - both the Disney version and the original character - and it is 200% imperative that they use a Chinese actress for the live-action interpretation. (Seriously, I can't believe there's even debate about this. I had hoped it would be a given.) <br /><br />You're right, though, on the stark loveliness of the original folktale - it's far less dramatic and superhero-ish, but the simplicity makes it poignant, I think. Great post, Alyssa. xtopaz wintershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03266048278124376231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-9522776433883581912015-05-03T10:40:43.603+08:002015-05-03T10:40:43.603+08:00WHAT BLASPHEMY IS THIS.
*coughs* Well, at least y...WHAT BLASPHEMY IS THIS.<br /><br />*coughs* Well, at least you've learned more today. And I'll probably blog more about Mulan, so. *narrows eyes*Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-76204256078986555962015-05-03T10:30:02.060+08:002015-05-03T10:30:02.060+08:00*whispers* I've never actually seen Mulan.*whispers* I've never actually seen Mulan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2981664243653036268.post-86935468356753910562015-05-03T09:14:41.774+08:002015-05-03T09:14:41.774+08:00TRUE. All retellings are different, but I always s...TRUE. All retellings are different, but I always saw Disney's as an adaptation. It's like introducing the subplot of Primrose's romance into Catching Fire or something. That would just be weird.<br /><br />Well, yes. I do prefer the original Grimm's fairytales. BUT YES, BE EXCITED. I AM EXCITED. WE CAN YELL AT DISNEY AFTERWARDS, BUT THERE MUST BE EXCITEMENT.Alyssa Carlierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995554896786109238noreply@blogger.com