I really enjoyed this. Very stylish and moody and the atmosphere was well done. The plot was complex with both the romance but also the war and the effect of the precense of Americans in the conflict. I do wish Toshia Mori had more screentime.

I really enjoyed this. Very stylish and moody and the atmosphere was well done. The plot was complex with both the romance but also the war and the effect of the precense of Americans in the conflict. I do wish Toshia Mori had more screentime.

i can't decide what's worse: a white man being cast for the role of general yen when there are dozens of asian actors in the sidelines of this movie alone, or the fact that this is labeled as a romance and "seduction" when it's actually just a case of stockholm syndrome...despite this, i appreciate the dreamy facades of soft focuses and gauzy lighting as well as barbie's wonderful performance (as always) and toshia mori's dazzling eyes and facial expressions

i can't decide what's worse: a white man being cast for the role of general yen when there are dozens of asian actors in the sidelines of this movie alone, or the fact that this is labeled as a romance and "seduction" when it's actually just a case of stockholm syndrome...despite this, i appreciate the dreamy facades of soft focuses and gauzy lighting as well as barbie's wonderful performance (as always) and toshia mori's dazzling eyes and facial expressions

My thoughts haven't really changed on this too much since I last watched this, incredibly dicey but somehow compelling at the same time. But it is nice watching this in the context of Capra's career because this film looks ridiculously good. The use of lighting and shadows and a dreamlike atmosphere is so unlike most other things in his filmography, from a technical standpoint this is really stunning. Stanwyck is also a major plus as always. Though I'm trying to figure out how I feel about Nils Asther as General Yen, because I do find the character legitimately interesting and it is well performed, but it's still a Swedish guy in yellowface playing a stereotype, but like a nuanced stereotype. Old movies are complicated, man...

My thoughts haven't really changed on this too much since I last watched this, incredibly dicey but somehow compelling at the same time. But it is nice watching this in the context of Capra's career because this film looks ridiculously good. The use of lighting and shadows and a dreamlike atmosphere is so unlike most other things in his filmography, from a technical standpoint this is really stunning. Stanwyck is also a major plus as always. Though I'm trying to figure out how I feel about Nils Asther as General Yen, because I do find the character legitimately interesting and it is well performed, but it's still a Swedish guy in yellowface playing a stereotype, but like a nuanced stereotype. Old movies are complicated, man...

pre-code Midsommar

pre-code Midsommar

A curious film to talk about, that's for sure. Controversial for the time for depicting interracial attraction, which rings a bit hollow when the Person of Color is played by a white man in yellow face. But, similar to Broken Blossoms, it's still quite an interesting movie despite everything. The film definitely uses Chinese stereotypes, but it's honestly confusing which are used because of stereotypes and which are used to make an active comment about stereotypes. That's an essay topic that should be written by someone much more knowledgeable than myself, but I would very much like to read it.

A curious film to talk about, that's for sure. Controversial for the time for depicting interracial attraction, which rings a bit hollow when the Person of Color is played by a white man in yellow face. But, similar to Broken Blossoms, it's still quite an interesting movie despite everything. The film definitely uses Chinese stereotypes, but it's honestly confusing which are used because of stereotypes and which are used to make an active comment about stereotypes. That's an essay topic that should be written by someone much more knowledgeable than myself, but I would very much like to read it.