need suggestions: films that display storytelling and myth

[kratsayra]

I am looking for films that highlight the way that folktales and myths, or any kind of stories, get told and retold. So, film retellings of particular folktales or myths are good. But even better are films that also highlight the process of storytelling itself somehow.

My problem is that I really only know African examples of these things. And as I'm teaching a course on world mythology (again), I would like samples from more of the world. I'm especially low on East Asian and South/Central American examples, but anywhere other than Africa is excellent.

The film Keita: the heritage of the griot is the best example of what I'm talking about. It contains a retelling of the story of Sundiata but more importantly highlights the actually transmission of the story as well as different forms of knowledge (oral and written).

I know, I know, this could be in the teaching sub-forum, but the thread could also just be a discussion on film, adaptation, and storytelling. So it's not just about the class I'm teaching.

[Niamh]

humm.... thats a tricky one.

[Petrarch's Love]

The first thing that sprang to mind in terms of film and storytelling was Kurosawa's Rashoman, though that doesn't really tie in with mythology. There are, of course, those corny Hollywood films, like The Thief of Baghdad from the '40's, which derives from the Arabian Nights, or the 1963 Jason and the Argonauts, which gives you some Greek mythology. I'm sure I've seen some sort of mythology inspired films in Indian cinema, but I can't for the life of me think of what stories they were or what the film titles might be. I'll give it a bit of thought and see if anything else comes to mind.

[kratsayra]

You know, I was actually thinking of Rashomon. Now I'm even more convinced I should use it, because I respect your opinion PL. :) I've actually never seen it :blush: though I've seen lots of other Kurosawa films. I'll have to watch it before I decide, but I think it would work really well.

And even though it's not the same story, it kind-of has connections to the selections from the Ramayana in the textbook we use. Because it is the same sort of issue - a woman who is compromised in her husband's absence and there's a need to ascertain her innocence afterwards.

[sprinks]

Well... Not sure if I'm on the right track but...

Retellings of Cinderella include:
Ella Enchanted
A Cinderella Story
Cinderfella
There is a list here including these and many more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cinderella_adaptations

Apart from the retellings of Cinderella I can't think of much, sorry.... Good luck finding what you need :)

[Niamh]

sprinks you forgot Ever After.

Things based on little red riding hood (or have it in it)
A company of Wolves
Hoodwinked
Brothers Grimm,
And i'm not sure but possibly The Tenth Kingdom

[sprinks]

sprinks you forgot Ever After.

Things based on little red riding hood (or have it in it)
A company of Wolves
Hoodwinked
Brothers Grimm,
And i'm not sure but possibly The Tenth Kingdom

Ah, so I did, thanks for pointing that out :)

The 10th Kingdom incorporates many fairy tales... Assuming we are talking about the same thing :lol: From memory it has Little Bo Peep, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and some others

[Nossa]

I second Brothers Grimm...it was the first thing that popped in my head.

[Niamh]

Ah, so I did, thanks for pointing that out :)

The 10th Kingdom incorporates many fairy tales... Assuming we are talking about the same thing :lol: From memory it has Little Bo Peep, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and some others

yes, but i'm just not too sure about the little red riding hood being in it. Like the boo peep story! The Tenth KIngdom is great!

[sprinks]

yes, but i'm just not too sure about the little red riding hood being in it. Like the boo peep story! The Tenth KIngdom is great!

I agree :D Maybe I should go watch it again and see if it has Little Red Riding Hood in it :lol:

[JCamilo]

Hero by Zhang Ziyu - Is about storytelling.
The Adventures of Baron Muchausen by Terry Gilliam.
Big Fish by Tim Burton is also about a storyteller
Now, Rashomon is worth to be read, It is a great short story by Akutagawa.
The Princess Bridge by Rob Reiner.
Brazilian, Morte e Vida Severina is basead on a Book (a long poem) that is displayed like Cordel Writers (A Style of brazilian poetry where the written text still alongside with the oral transmition)
O Auto Da Compadecida (there is more than one version) , also brazilian. Also a form of popular literature, but the main characters being typical oral tradtion characters.

[kratsayra]

thanks you guys - some of those films that include fairy tales could especially work quite well with what I already have planned for the course.

I am teaching a summer course with long sessions so I am happy to have lots of visual material, even if I just end up showing clips of some of these things. It all could be useful. :)

[Nightshade]

10th kingdom which one was that again?
Pretty woman is a cinderella story of sorts, it fits the archytype anyway. The labyrinth ( thats the one with the troll king and stealing the baby isnt it?)

But let me be sure Ive got thi striaght your after a film that tells the story of a changing story? In that case of what youve got so far Brothers Grimm and ever after are your best bet.

[Niamh]

10th kingdom which one was that again?
Pretty woman is a cinderella story of sorts, it fits the archytype anyway. The labyrinth ( thats the one with the troll king and stealing the baby isnt it?)

But let me be sure Ive got thi striaght your after a film that tells the story of a changing story? In that case of what youve got so far Brothers Grimm and ever after are your best bet.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0207275/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_10th_Kingdom

[byquist]

As mentioned, The Princess Bride is a very entertaining tale.

Also, maybe Oh Brother Where Art Thou is supposed to be based on The Odyssey, right?

[Bookworm Cris]

Hi Kratsayra,

Talking about myths, a good source of information (and interesting, too!) is the minisseries "The Power of Myth", where Bill Moyers interviews Joseph Campbell. It was a long interview that took place in George Lucas' ranch, and discusses myths of several cultures grouped by theme.

It was released as a DVD in Brasil (thankfully!), so I believe you won´t have trouble finding it in USA ;-) There is also a book with the same name, with the complete interview and illustrations. Definitely it´s worth watching and reading!

Cheers,


Cristine