2012 MUBI World Cup Voting, Match #53: Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) vs. Sweden (Miss Julie)
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
Two couples in two films, somehow never striking the right chord and talking past one another by trying to get close.
The Malaysian short was realistic in dialogue and setting, showing us an emerging female director with a good feel for character and setting. However, it was no match (for me) with this intense Strindberg adaptation. Miss Julie now seems a dated play, almost misogynist in showing how a head-strong feminism instilled into Miss Julie by her domineering mother wrecks any chance she has at happiness. Strindberg struck a low blow to independent women of his own period (his play written in the late 1800’s) by portraying the mother as a feminist madwoman. Still, there is a lot of tension on display as the sexes and classes battle in this powder keg of a story. The romance between a self-centered young woman and her equally self-centered servant has almost Wuthering Heights overtones. But the element of suicide (second match in a row with suicide as a motif in a film) makes this an even darker tragedy than Heathcliff and Cathy.
One can see how Bergman was so drawn to Strindberg’s dark, Nordic sensibilities, as he considered Strindberg his favorite playwright. Nice to see a young Max von Sydow in a nearly silent role, but making the most of it. Good acting and filming, making this Cannes winner hard to beat – but I’m probably wrong, as the last match demonstrated.
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
An exciting match! ;)
For me the tension between Julie and the servamt was too low key almost. i must be one of the few people in the world(along with Den) that preferred Figgis’ version.
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
I wonder if anyone has been able to see other Sjöberg’s films besides “Torment” (my own favorite), I have heard great things about “Himlaspelet” and “Bara en mor”.
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1
Looks like another shut out in the works.
VOTING IS CLOSED
Final tally:
Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) – 0
Sweden (Miss Julie) – 6
The winner is:
SWEDEN!
For Sweden – With the Times!!
Thou ancient, thou free, thou mountainous North
Thou quiet, thou joyful and fair!
I greet thee, most beautiful land upon earth,
Thy sun, Thy sky, Thy meadows green
Thou art enthroned upon memories of great olden days,
When honored thy name flew across the earth,
I know that thou art and wilt remain what thou wast,
Yes, I want to live I want to die in the North
Pretty tough, if not impossible, for any short subject to compete equally against Alf Sjöberg’s Miss Julie—a revered, eminently skillful work which deserves its secure place in the film canon; but that being said, I relished viewing Tan Chui Mui’s short very much. All of the unspoken communication between the two actors certainly wasn’t hidden from the audience, and yet there was mystery, poignant scenes with and without dialog, and a clean window through which to witness the paroxyms of one youthfully romantic evening. Can’t wait to see more of her work.
I’m very sorry i missed this, i thought it was still ongoing- i really like both films, and it’s a pity Tree in Tanjung Malim, which i proposed, had no votes. I’ve been giving all things cinematic a miss recently, wondering when the enthusiasm will return :( Can’t force these things, will come naturally…
Risselada
This topic is part of the 2012 MUBI World Cup. If you have not already done so, please read the first post at the topic for an introduction to and rules about this year’s World Cup:
http://mubi.com/topics/2012-mubi-world-cup-introduction-submit-your-list-of-films
Malaysia
Original title: A Tree in Tanjung Malim
Directed by: Tan Chui Mui
Approximate runtime: 24 min
Submitted by: Kenji, scorpiorising
Sweden
Original title: Fröken Julie
Directed by: Alf Sjöberg
Approximate runtime: 90 min
Submitted by: Rio Johan
-
The purpose of this topic is to cast votes in the matchup listed above and also to be a forum for discussing the films in the match.
Anyone who has seen both of the films listed above may vote in this match. You must vote for whichever of the two films you personally like better. In order to vote you must post a reply to this topic containing one of the following sequences:
If you are voting for A Tree in Tanjung Malim: “Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 1 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 0”
If you are voting for Miss Julie: “Malaysia (A Tree in Tanjung Malim) 0 – Sweden (Miss Julie) 1”
Your vote must contain the names of both films with a “one” after the film you are voting for and a “zero” after the other film. If your vote is not formatted in this way it will not be counted.
Along with your vote you are strongly encouraged to leave additional comments regarding your reactions to the films, your reasons for why you voted the way you did, and responses to other participants’ comments. Being able to have deep discussion about the films and different aspects of them is an important part of finding enjoyment in participating in the World Cup.
This match will end on Saturday August 4 at 10:00 PM GMT. No votes attempted to be cast after that time will be counted. Shortly after the match ends the votes will be tallied and a winner of the match will be declared. If the films both receive the same number of votes, the match will be considered a tie.
The percentage of votes each film receives in a match will have an effect on whether or not the corresponding country will participate in the final round of the World Cup. Thus even if the film you vote for loses in this match, your vote will still be important.
The results of the matches as well as the schedule for future matches can be found here:
http://mubi.com/lists/2012-mubi-world-cup
If you would like to participate but are unable to find sources to watch these films, please send me a personal message so that I can invite you to the private website featuring internet links to view the films.