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A documentary film Analysis: Crazy English (1999) by Zhang Yuan
Introduction
Throughout history, the filmmakers of the 19th century had used the cinematic techniques in multiple ways so that they can highlight a specific aspect or issue of that time. The contemporary documentaries have remained a source of conveying knowledge among the public. Besides this, for highlighting a specific issue or the bitter side of the society such types of documentaries are always presented. The film “Crazy English” is also among the list of those documentaries. This documentary film was directed by Zhang Yuan, in 1999 ("Crazy English." 1999). It was first presented in the Locarno International Film Festival, along with the other films of the director. This film made a position of Zhang in the society because till 1999, he had worked independently over various films. Moreover, because of the enriched social and political issues highlighted in his films he had some odds with the authorities in China. Unlike the earlier films such as West Palace, East Palace, the Crazy English was produced with the Xi'an Film Studio's corporation, which is owned by the state.
Cultural and Historical Context of the Film “Crazy English”
However, it is analyzed that the story of the film Crazy English is interesting because it is exposing the social and cultural aspects of the Chinese people. This documentary was presented in those days when the government was censoring films at a lower rate. Indeed, the Film "Crazy English" is highlighting a social and cultural issue but it does not reveal specific images and social personalities, hence it cannot be regarded as the film alike to the traditional propaganda. The subject of the film is limited to the use of the English language in a society which was a huge problem in those days. The name of the film reveals the crazy use of the English language so it is an entertaining and delightful film too. The film reveals that the idea of teaching the English language to the Chinese people which was argued by Li Yang is good enough for the people.
The film had a huge historical story linked to the film because director Zhang Yuan was fully authorized by the English Public Relations department to present an interesting documentary in front of the public. Because, the Li Yang crazy English classes were famous and followed across the country (Woodward et al., 14). The film was unique to the other films of the director because his previous films were banned many times due to the sensitive subject of discussion in them. No doubt, that the film was not about the political content but it is a good source of entertainment along with knowledge. That is the reason that the film of the Zhang Yuan was passed by the censor board without any objection. According to Zhang's ideology, he preferred the subject "Crazy English" because he wanted to work for his society. However, this title and content of the documentary are acceptable to the community and government as well. The film “Crazy English” can be regarded as a patriotic English language teacher and thus it holds a special position among all the other films (Gao, 358). The success of the documentary film "Crazy English" is a success for the director and Li Yang too (Woodward et al., 14).
The Role of the Filmmaker in Social Context
The filmmaker had played an important and different role in the production of this film. The evidence of this fact can be analyzed by analyzing the interviews with the director about the film. It is been stated by Zhang Yuan that his attitude towards this documentary has remained neutral. However, if he would add a tiny trace of subjective judgment then this film will be worthless. He added that “That’s why I had abandoned all of the views as an artist”. While in the making process of the film the director had focused on the subject which he wanted to communicate about the crazy English which was taught at that time ("Crazy English." 1999). In this regard, the filmmaker had played an appreciable role in the society because he had focused the content more than the editing, camera movements, music, and lightening technique. However, a subject of interest which is about crazy English has been conveyed in a nice manner.
The theme of the Film "Crazy English"
The deeper analysis of the documentary film “Crazy English” reveals that the filmmakers had not designed the script, subjectivity, and staging ("Crazy English." 1999). However, it is also felt that the filmmakers had simply taken microphones and cameras in order to convey the main theme of the story. The filmmakers had adopted a creative approach to convey the message in very less duration of time. The film comprised of the five to ten minutes of lectures of the Li Yang Crazy English lessons which were given all over the Chine. The main theme of the story is about English language teaching and presenting the lectures and interviews regarding English running exercise.
The artist's approach of the filmmakers can be analyzed by examining the start of every lecture. In order to keep the viewers interested the filmmakers had added the jokes and little bit fun before the startup of the lectures. Most of the lectures open with few second trips of the surroundings including the cityscape in Shanghai, and the rolling countryside in Heilongjiang, etc.
Changes due to the Film “Crazy English”
Another critical perspective about the film is also noticed which is about Li Yang and the Crazy English Lectures exposed in the documentary. It can be further added, that Mr. Li Yang believed that the film has portrayed him harsh and inaccurate. Whereas, according to some film reviews it is also observed that people believe that Li Yang's English was coherent, fluent, and accurate. In one of the interviews, Mr. Yang Li stated that the documentary was stupid because it was presented with the intention of the pleasing western audience; hence it was not a real documentary (Woodward et al., 14). However, the readers can find a little bit of difference and clash among the statements of the Zhang Yuan and Yang Li.
Later on, it was also heard from Yang Li after watching the movie he noticed some things which he did not like about him. Moreover, he also faced critic and negativity about his lectures. Concerning this, he made a critical analysis of his lectures and improved most of the things. On the other hand, Li also received a lot of fame and influence from the film which is not less than the feeling of pleasure (Gao 358). The film had influenced the English learners across the country and most of them are known to the personality of Yang Li (Woodward et al., 14). This success determines the success of the filmmakers and lecturer Yang Li as well.
The Chinese Contemporary Films
In the past few decades, Chinese contemporary films had played a vital role in social, cultural, and political and historical context. However, the Chinese documentary films are proposed on a particular theme and subjectivity. In addition to this, these types of films are full of artistic approaches and creativity which makes viewers interested and keep the charm throughout the film. By the time, a change in the theories and concepts concerning Chinese documentary films is noticed. However, such developments and changes have enabled the filmmakers to produce good content with good quality also. These films can be presented in the global cinema while the main focus of these films is to highlight a particular social issue so that the general message can also be communicated in the public.
The Aesthetic Features in the Chinese Contemporary Films
After the critical evaluation of the concept of Chinese aesthetics in contemporary films, it can be added that all these films present the cultural traditions, political issues, socioeconomic contexts in society. Moreover, the Chines aesthetics comprised of the three major ethical concerns including the anti-rationalism, perspectivism, and non-attachment. In terms of the film "Crazy English", it can be added that this film is of paramount importance and its success determines the appreciation from the audience. As the target of the film was the English learners who got impressed and influenced by the film (Gao 358). Moreover, the film "Crazy English" is unlike the other films because it is not produced with high editing, camera tricks, and scripts.
Conclusion
Based on the above analysis, it can be added that the film “Crazy English” is an interesting and charming film which also increases the interest and knowledge of the English language. It is also enriched in the social and traditional context because it highlights the need and importance of English learning which was common in 1999. This documentary is short which is highly focused and keeps the audience focus on its theme of the production. The film was produced to convey a specific knowledge among the public by the joint venture between the Yang Li and Zhang Yuan. In this regard, the filmmaker had focused on the subject rather than the artistic approaches and cinematic tricks. The movie was admired and remained influential for a long time after the production.
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