Mystery Man on Film: Chinatown Analysis

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Chinatown Analysis

3 comments:

Mim said...: In the 30's, before the war, in Poland, many parents sent their children from their homes in the cities to small towns in the country to hide them from the Nazis. They were mainly put to work, and always treated as outsiders. Sometimes they were abused, physically or sexually.

Once the war started, the refugee children of the rich were thrown out to wander the countryside. The small communities had enough to worry about with their own children.

Roman Polanski was one of them. I don't know exactly what he saw or experienced while he lived on his own when he was less than ten years old, but it gave him not only a deep insight into human beings, but a great joy of life. You can see this in his work, and also in his resiliance.

He never lost his humor. I think the experiences of his childhood sparked his humor. He's famous for "Repulsion" and "Knife in the Water," but one of the first movies he made in Hollywood was called "What?" It was a comedy.

Thanks for reminding me, MM.; February 15, 2007
Mystery Man said...: You're very welcome!

I do feel for Mr. Polanski. His past is truly horrifying.

I love these clips. I know it's a lot of time, but they're really worthwhile if you can make time for them. McKee's discussion about symbolism was really great. I still cannot fathom Bob Towne getting upset about changing the ending. Had that been me, I can pretty well assure you that I would not have complained. A happy ending is what the people want but a tragedy is high art.

-MM; February 15, 2007
Mim said...: Well, it's always disappointing to realize that somebody else saw something about your story that you didn't, but screenwriting is truly a collaborative process and I always remind myself that without what I brought to the table, nobody else would have been inspired.; February 15, 2007

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