"Legal Copy" (2010) is a Europeanized film made in Italy by Abbas, and neither form nor content is related to his home country. In other words, he has been unable to make films in Iran in these years, and can only complete his own creations in a roundabout way, which is also a helpless move. But this does not mean that the films he creates cannot express his true creative thoughts, but may expand the possibility of another dimension.
On "Journey to Happiness," we see the power of a short film he made. "Legal Copy" speaks English mixed with French because the hero is from England and the heroine is from France. The short story of the two of them meeting, takes place in a beautiful town on the outskirts of Florence. French beauty Juliette Binoche, who has made English-language films such as "Chocolate" and "Prague Love", naturally speaks English as well as her native language.
James, a writer, was in Florence to attend the launch of his new book "The Relationship between Original Art and Copies". She left in the middle of the meeting. Her ten-year-old son, who was estranged, was troubled by her nagging. Bring her deep joy. So she drove a car alone with James and started a fun journey. The beautiful scenery of Tuscany, the fake ancient paintings of the Muse in the small town museum, and so on, all made the two of them have a subtle harmony around the relationship between copy and reality. Whether this was intentional or unintentional, only Abbas himself knew.
It is impossible to explore the only rationality of human existence in one film. As the author said: "When people enter the museum, it is not the thing that matters, but the vision of the people... A book can't cover everything."
And she said: "A wife's appreciation can give birth to her husband's talent."
He said: "The cemetery was full of people who saw us off..."
Their conversation in the cafe is undoubtedly philosophical. It's not that Abbas wants to show off deliberately, it's what the film needs to do. Since it is a dialogue, it will be all-encompassing and referencing, abstract and concrete. In this sense, it is a subtle fit with Abbas' previous films. "The Taste of Cherry" has the strongest philosophical meaning. Although the dull rhythm has been criticized, it does not hinder the quality of life pursued by the film.
We couldn't have asked for more, because the style of the author's film, that's what it was. Without the characteristics of personal style, he can only be a "parallel import", while Abbas is a master of creation without any trace. He is well versed in the elements contained in film aesthetics, and discussing life and philosophy is just a ruler for his deconstruction of life. It is easy for him to put away or put down, and he needs to watch movies.
The relationship between the original and the copy is always just a subordinate relationship or a master-servant relationship. The affection between men and women does not matter about subordination. Only in addition to emotions, there will be many uncertain relationships. This is the real cooperation between the original and the copy. It has nothing to do with people's original emotions. For most people, the day is the original, the night is the copy, and for a few, the yin and yang are reversed. We are just authentic moviegoers, we just need to hold our breath and let the breeze gently brush our ears. The rest, leave it to the next moment.
2012, September, 20
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