The Painted Veil Textual Analysis Karin Oxford 12/10/08

Political Economy -Director: John Curran The Painted Veil; 2006 -Producers: Mark R. Gordon, Edward Norton, and Naomi Watts In 2007, it won a Golden Globe for best original score The screenplay, written by Ron Nyswaner, was adapted from the original novel, The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham There have been two other previous versions called The Painted Veil and The Seventh Sin, The Painted Veil starring Greta Garbo, Herbert Marshall, and George Brendt (1934)

Political Economy We wanted this movie to be distinctly Chinese. We didn’t want it to look like a film that you could shoot in Canada or Mexico or Italy, says John Curran. We were determined to find a place in China that was right for the tone of the film both beautiful and gothic, that accommodated both personalities of the story. Interview with film critic Emmanuel Levy

Political Economy We secured four locations in China, which I’m not sure any other Western film has attempted to do before, Watts says. Once it was confirmed that the film would shoot in China, the filmmakers began cultivating a relationship with the China Film Bureau. "The Painted Veil" was particularly unique in that it would be a co-production with the Chinese. This meant, as John Curran points out, that we didn’t just come down here and shoot the film and get out. We actually worked with the Chinese and the China Film Bureau. It will be released as a Chinese film in China. Interview with film critic Emmanuel Levy

Political Economy Reviews The New York Times: “In the 1920s the Chinese backdrop gave Maugham’s story its whiff of exoticism (if not for Chinese readers); these days it’s the overwrought bedroom panting, the social reserve and Kitty’s apparent lack of choices that seem so foreign, like dispatches from some dying planet. This damp fog of repression that informs each personal gesture, every social decision, is also what makes the story seem so unlikely for modern adaptation, particularly when, as is the case here, it hasn’t been refitted with a contemporary hook or allegory for audiences who wouldn’t know Maugham from Edna Ferber.”

Political Economy Reviews Rolling Stone: “The film is a period piece propelled by emotions accessible to a modern audience. Maugham never detailed Walter's work or Kitty's frustration; the film does. Maugham couldn't show us the China that opened Walter's and Kitty's eyes to a world beyond their own; the film does. And Maugham didn't have the benefit of two actors -- Norton and Watts nail every nuance in their roles -- who could show the romance inherent in mutual respect. The Painted Veil has the power and intimacy of a timeless love story. By all means, let it sweep you away.”

Political Economy Reviews The cinematic version of 2006 was hugely disappointing, despite being well cast (except for Naomi Watts, who displayed more emotion in “King Kong”) and stunning authentic scenery (filmed in China). In fact, knowing Edward Norton was in it, I pictured him as Walter as I read the book. Forty five minutes into the film, however, it veered from the novel into a completely new story, not only tacking on a “woman in jeopardy” incident, but also politics and a soap opera. Often a different character would say lines from the novel, giving it a contradictory meaning. It was very frustrating when it had started out so well. But it is less so to those who see the movie first, and are better able to take it on it’s own terms, instead of referring to the novel. Though to me, if a book is used as a source, a certain amount of loyalty is called for. vulpeslibris.wordpress.com

Political Economy Facts: Edward Norton personally recruited Naomi Watts for her role in the film Warner Independents and Yari Groups brought in a Chinese production company to help finance the film. The Chinese partner was granted approvals over the script and the finished film. It was concerned about the film's depiction of the uprising during the Chinese Revolution as well as the cholera's victims and asks for these contents to be reduced, something Edward Norton and John Curran disagreed upon. In the end, about 38 seconds of footage were removed.” imdb.com

Political Economy High-Grossing Films and Genres 2006: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (action, adventure, fantasy) X-Men: The Last Stand (action, adventure, sci-fi, thriller) The DaVinci Code (drama, mystery, thriller) 300 (action, drama, history, war) Superman Returns (action, adventure, sci-fi) Casino Royale (action, adventure, thriller) imdb.com

Political Economy -Films released in 2006 had to be fast-paced, and exciting to attract viewers. -The Painted Veil was moderately paced and a love story, uncommon for the year. This is because the film was in negotiation for years. *The film was rated to be 7.6 out of 10 stars on IMDB

Political Economy Conclusion -The film’s main goal was to be authentic. It succeeded with the Chinese portrayal, but failed with the storyline. (In the novel, Kitty goes to live with the Townsends after Walter dies, and Charlie cheats on his wife with her again. She then returns home to live with her father. ) othemts.wordpress.com

Film Analysis Imperialism Although there was a great attempt to make to film objective in its depiction of nationalism, the film completely ignored the imperialistic side of the political conflict. There was ample heated response from the Chinese (depicted in flyers posted on buildings), but there was no visual sense of what the British did to provoke the Chinese. -This political strife in the country seemed to be complementary of the love story and the cholera epidemic.

Film Analysis Imperialism -Nowhere in the film is imperialism as apparent as it is within the scenes at the orphanage. -The nuns in the convent would go to Chinese families that just had children , and convince them to give up their children so that they could convert them. -The older child that refuses to be baptized in the film is noted to be defiant, and therefore disobedient and difficult.

Film Analysis Book Review [Maugham] is also full of poetic descriptions, whether about the Chinese landscape or a person’s thoughts. For instance, Kitty, in a rare moment of insight after her affair is revealed, realizes Walter’s jealous mental state “was like a dark and ominous landscape seen by a flash of lighting and in a moment hidden again by the night.” The poetic prose and melodic metaphors are a large part of what made this book a joy to read. vulpeslibris.wordpress.com The film mirrors the novel’s imagery by depicting China in all its splendor. The countryside is constantly used to juxtapose the conflict between Kitty and Walter, and accentuates their love when Walter forgives her.

Film Analysis Music Like many other films, the score designates the tone of each scene. In the scene at the orphanage when Kitty is playing the piano, the piano is fairly out of tune and sharp; the notes sound distinctly Chinese. Play Clip

Film Analysis Female Subjugation Kitty, although very independent, must rely on a husband and is very naïve. Charlie Townsend: Women are always under the impression that men love them more that they really do. Kitty Fane: I wouldn't delude myself for a second that you were in love with me. Charlie Townsend: Now there you're wrong.

Film Analysis Male Western Domination Dr. Fane is only a bacteriologist, but he has control over all decisions on control of the water in Mei-Tan Fu. He also has power over Kitty, who must follow him into the cholera ridden town. This is parodied when Walter is leading the traveling group, but takes the wrong path and the Chinese must correct him.

Film Analysis Conclusion The Painted Veil is a modern love story that accurately portrays China, as that was one of its most important goals. It could have tried harder to include the political climate of the country during the time the film was placed, because the time explains the Chinese resentment towards the British.

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Questions -- all female During the movie, please note which character you relate to the most, and why. What do you think the plot/theme of the movie is? What did you like about the movie? What didn’t you like about the movie?

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Asian viewers Cannot easily relate to any characters, but Kitty (because she’s a girl, and they had sympathy for her) or Sung Ching (awkward but helpful) if forced to choose “Epidemic is physical manifestation of the inner turmoil between wife and husband and political.”

Audience Response Answers Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Asian viewers Theme: “Relationship dynamics in adversity,” and “cultural displacement” “Two people falling in love with China and each other”

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Asian viewers Likes: Character interactions, growth of Kitty and Walter, forgiveness Dislikes: Depiction of some of the Chinese

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Caucasian viewers Related with Walter because “he’s smart, closed, patient, loyal, but socially awkward” Related with Kitty because “she’s very passionate and a romantic, and she learns loyalty”

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Caucasian viewers Theme: Passion versus Love Commentary on Nationalism in China Life of women in the 1920s, powerlessness against men, importance of marriage during the time

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Caucasian viewers Likes: The music and imagery, subtlety of the acting, Walter, character development (particularly Kitty’s), accentuation of cultural differences, time period Dislikes: Kitty’s infidelity, Walter’s death

Spectator Analysis Audience Response Answers Conclusion: Comparison Asian spectators: -Were quicker to pick up on any negative depictions of the Chinese -Related to Kitty because she was a woman Caucasian spectators: -Themes of social injustice and inequality stood out -Related to Walter to distance themselves from Kitty’s adultery

Spectator Analysis Conclusion “Dry as dust on the page and nearly as hard to grab hold of, Walter registers as a far more robust character on the screen. The novel centers on Kitty and contains large swaths of her cogitating and fretting by way of the third person narration, but the film opens up the story to embrace her and Walter more equally.” –NYT In this film, Walter is portrayed to be more accepting of Kitty than he is in the novel, so that the female spectator may relate more with Kitty, instead of wishing to separate themselves from her, as they may have wanted to earlier in the plot.

Compare/Contrast of Three Analysis’ Political Economy The history of film in 2006 and the producer and director statements allow the back story of the film and original intentions to be brought to light. Film Analysis A reading of this text from a critical studies point of view allows the discourses in the film to be realized. Spectator Analysis The spectator, the unsuspecting audience, relays what it is they felt was important from the text, and how it effected them.

Compare/Contrast of Three Analysis’ Conclusion From these analysis methods, one can identify what kind of situations, language, and meanings an audience absorbs while watching a film. In The Painted Veil, for female college students these include the disassociation of Other with infidelity, the association of Self with forgiveness, and the appreciation of a good love story.

Curran: There is a quote, I think, from a line of a poem in one of the editions. I did of research and it's a Shelley poem and it's a poem called 'The Painted Veil.' What it refers to is a guy who is brave enough to lift the veil that we call life and look beyond that. He is inevitably broken hearted by what he finds, but he's a brave person nonetheless for looking beyond the illusions. I think that there are similar themes in the book. So that's the title. Collider.com Lift not the painted veil which those who live Call Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there, And it but mimic all we would believe With colours idly spread,--behind, lurk Fear And Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weave Their shadows, o'er the chasm, sightless and drear. I knew one who had lifted it--he sought, For his lost heart was tender, things to love, But found them not, alas! nor was there aught The world contains, the which he could approve. Through the unheeding many he did move, A splendour among shadows, a bright blot Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.    Percy Bysshe Shelley

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The Painted Veil Textual Analysis Karin Oxford 12/10/08