Shakespeare vs Nardong Putik et al
Possibly the finest film adaptation of King Lear: Ran by Akira Kurosawa. You don’t need subtitles.
On a few occasions we’ve heard the Ramgen Revilla murder case described as “Shakespearean” in scope. “Shakespearean” is the default adjective when one wishes to describe something that is complicated and full of stunning revelations about human nature, while feigning a knowledge of Shakespeare’s work. We know this because we do it all the time, for instance, “The Wire is so Shakespearean.” It is convenient because unless we say it in the presence of literature majors there is little likelihood that someone will call our bluff; everyone will be busy nodding in agreement, lest their ignorance be exposed. (As in “Hahahaha! Di ko gets.”)
Read our column in interaksyon.com.
Possibly the finest film adaptation of Macbeth: Throne of Blood by Akira Kurosawa.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
November 14th, 2011 at 16:54
“For years we have been pitching the idea of a local version of Macbeth set in Ilocos and called Pakbet. No one has take us up on it.”
Ha! :D
Well, people might think it’s the sequel to Talong. Or better still, people might think it’s “The Avengers” of Talong, Patikim ng Pinya, Itlog, etc. – the climax (no pun intended) of a series of individual films.
November 14th, 2011 at 17:46
Coke Zero just came out of my nose when I read that thing about Pakbet. Haha. Throne of Blood is really a great adaptation of Macbeth. I’d like to say that it’s the best, too, but then I haven’t seen any other Macbeth film adaptations. Ngek. Anyway, I don’t know if my observation is correct. But don’t you think A Game of Thrones is closer to Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood than it is to LOTR, which a lot of people have compared it with? Or is it just me invoking the “Shakespearean” default adjective? Or in this case, “It’s so Kurosawa.” Yun kasi naalala ko when I first saw the HBO series.
November 15th, 2011 at 10:06
allancarreon: Uro de la Cruz’s term for softcore porn of the Talong, Itlog, Kangkong school: Agribusiness films.
“Hail Makoy, that shalt be President thereafter.”
November 15th, 2011 at 10:09
ruth: George R.R. Martin has cited Tolkien as an influence and the Hundred Years’ War as source material.
November 15th, 2011 at 14:08
Deadwood is Shakesperean, The Wire is Dickensian. George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones is Tolkienesque, HBO’s Game of Thrones is Carlo J. Caparasian.
November 16th, 2011 at 11:52
mostly agree with anon although I sometime think The Wire is more Dickensian greek tragedy. Haven’t seen Throne of Blood yet.
November 17th, 2011 at 11:45
You just demonstrated our point about pretentiousness.
November 17th, 2011 at 11:45
Isa ka pa.