Assessing Snowpiercer

At this point, we have read sections of the graphic novel Snowpiercer, and we've watched the film.

Using the aesthetic rubric from our text (please read Chapter 4), assess how well Bong Joon-ho (the director) "translated" the graphic novel into a film.  The Aesthetic Rubric includes these four following terms of assessment:

"1.  The film must communicate definite ideas concerning the integral meaning and value of the literary text, as the filmmakers interpret it.

"2.  The film must exhibit a collaboration of filmmaking skills (the details of which are provided in Chapter II [editing, montage, continuity, camera angles, shots, movement])

"3.  The film must demonstrate an audacity to create a work that stands as a world apart, that exploits the literature in such a way that a self-reliant, but related, offspring is born.

"4.  The film cannot be so self-governing as to be completely independent of or antithetical to the source material. " (Cahir, Linda.  Literature into Film, page 99)


Using a 0-4 point rubric, with 4 being the highest score, assess the film in each area.  Then please explain why you assessed it as you did.  What you say here will help with Thursday's discussion, so please be clear and thoughtful.

Snowpiercer's Meaning of the Arm

During class, we have talked about arms and it's meaning. Almost everyone has sacrificed their arm expect for Curtis. Also Gilliam have talked about having both arms and how useful it is. Curtis has scares from wanting to cut his arm off but he never brought himself to do it. But in the end, he has sacrificed his arm to save Timmy. Wildford also talked about how Curtis has a destiny but he would never have thought that it was to destroy the train. He has tried to in a way brainwash Curtis and it did not work out.

Snowpiercer, the graphic novel

In class, we discussed various aspects of the graphic novel, Snowpiercer #1: The Escape  (written by Jacques Lob; Art by Jean-Marc Rochelle.  Translated by Virginie Selavy).

We discussed matters of plot, character, setting and situation, 

as well as how it works as a graphic novel. 

We also discussed what Snowpiercer is really about.  What are the larger issues at play?

Pick up on one of those questions we discussed in class, and develop your own thoughts more fully.  

or--

Consider this:

Snowpiercer was originally written in French.  It was called Le Transperceneige, by Jacques Lob and Jean-March Rochette.    Here, in fact, is the above image in French:

Here is another scene, in German:

Notably, too, the film we will watch was made in Korea. 

Does the language matter?  Could we understand this graphic novel in any language?  Why/why not? 

What is it about the book that might make it appeal to many different cultures?