Slide 1

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 2

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 3

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 4

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 5

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 6

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 7

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 8

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 9

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 10

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 11

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 12

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 13

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 14

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 15

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 16

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 17

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 18

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 19

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 20

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 21

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 22

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 23

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 24

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 25

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 26

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 27

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 28

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 29

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 30

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 31

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 32

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 33

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 34

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 35

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 36

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 37

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 38

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 39

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 40

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 41

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 42

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 43

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 44

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 45

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 46

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 47

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 48

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.


Slide 49

Team Introduce
邱南億(Albert)
林靖惠(Anne)
陳淑芬(Bannie)
吳春連(Mary)
郭景玫(Rose)

#87110383
#91110876
#91110984
#92110271
#92210222

Job distribution
Leader:Albert
Writing Editor:Anne
Writing Editor: Bannie
Writing Editor:Mary
Art Editor:Rose

Discussion 3
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Plot

Summary of the Plot

Plot(1)
Indochina1992 during the 30's. A story of
romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. One of the
largest rubber-tree plantations is owned by
the French colonist Elaine, a proud but
imprudent woman. She lives with her father
and her native adoptive daughter Camille. At
an auction Eliane gets to know the young
officer Jean-Baptiste; after a short affair she
refuses to see him again.

Plot(2)
But in the meantime Camille falls deeply in love
with the young man, so Eliane takes the
necessary steps to cause a transposition of JeanBaptiste onto a far island. Though Camille gets
married to another guy she goes on a long journey
throughout the country in order to find the man
she loves.
A passionate story of a French mother and her
adopted daughter who fall in love with the same
soldier during the communist revolution in colonial
Vietnam.

Plot(3)
There are many good things in this film, not least
the sense of time and place: French Indochina,
later Vietnam, from the years of colonial calm to
the days when the French withdrew and the
beautiful country became an American trauma
This period is largely seen through the eyes of the
owner of a French plantation (Catherine Deneuve),
her adopted Vietnamese daughter (Linh Dan
Pham) and the daughter's son, who is raised
mostly in France by Deneuve after the mother
becomes a revolutionary.

Plot(4)
The beauty, the photography and the impact
of the scenes shot on location in Vietnam,
are all striking. But the people seem to drift
and waver in their focus. The film seems to
suggest that the French still do not quite
understand what happened to them in
Vietnam. Well, they're not alone.

Reflection

Written by Albert(1)
The first thing we would understand what’s the meaning
of hiding in this movie? People shouldn't be taken of
dictatorship , they have rights to choice their life. No one
has power to in place of them.
For this point, Vietnam didn't accept France colonization,
so the revolution was the last step for them. It’s just like
Camille who joined anti-settlement war, although France
represents freedom and profit.
This movie described that a colonialist—France and a
cover colonialist—Vietnam, the interaction of these two
countries. This sad story portrayed people how to against
west—power country.

Written by Albert(2)
We should understand it is true of west countries
and orient countries have different value of human
right. But power countries make final decision, and
weak countries have no choice in this game.
Vietnam asked for independence for past decade
years, she fights against powerful country again
and again. She wins the war, but she pays a lost
of cost---communism society.

Written by Rose(1)
This movie portrayed that story which was a loveheroic poetry and the background was on France
colonized Vietnam from 1930—1954. Camilla she
was adopted by Elaine and her father, but Jean
Baptiste who was France officer hung round with
these two women.
If Batpiste were not pursuit pure love ,he would be
a lover of Elaine –a rich woman. If Camilla were
not asked for freedom, she would be a bless girl
with peace and noble life. But these were not their
choice, so the ending was tragedy.

Written by Rose(2)
From this movie , we could find the relationship
man and woman, colonialism concept spread out
the plot. Camilla—Vietnam had win the freedom,
but this country was still poor. The question is who
is winner, France, Vietnam. Which choice is
correct? Rich or Poor, Slavery or Freedom, I think
different values have different choice.
Finally, the spirit of movie is Camilla still do not
forgot that she is a Vietnam person. She join to the
communist for her country.

Written by Anne(1)
The three main characters in this movie,
Jean Baptiste, who’s France and refer
France fortune. A line he said in the movie
“the things I want is a whole world, I can’t be
tie at a nook.” This situation likes France try
to control Vietnam.

Written by Anne(2)
Another a leading role Camilier, who refer
Vietnam’s fortune, is a forward freedom and
romantic girl. While she saw Jean Baptiste,
she falls in love deeply enthusiastically with
him, finally she forgo anything to find him.
When she saw Franch officer soldiers treat
her compatriot brutalize, she resist
regardless, at last she join to revolution,
fight for her country’s freedom. That is why I
thought her life reflect Vietnam’s fate.

Written by Anne(3)
The other actress is Eliane who display
bridge between France and Vietnam, who
has twofold nationalities. She administer her
plantation workers use economism, as
same as France’s manner to its colonization.
No ending between she and Jean Baptiste
is refer she will alone and helpless during
her life that likes France can’t control forever
Vietnam.

Written by Mary(1)
We have been watching Indo-chine in French
class and I absolutely loved it. Vincent Perez is so
cute. The movie is crazy and mind-boggling, but I
got it at the end. The only think that I thought was
weird was the part at the end when Elaine is
walking with Camilla, and she exclaimed that she
broke her heel, and then the movie ends. This
statement has nothing to do with the react of the
movie. Well I still really like it.
A story of romance and separation, told against
the backdrop of a ruinous war.
This statement has nothing to do with the recast of
the movie. Well I still really like it.

Written by Mary(2)
A story of romance and separation, told against the
backdrop of a ruinous war. The French, of course,
have their own ways of approaching such epic topics,
and this movie is heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter
on bluster and battle, than our American classic. It is
also curiously inconclusive; leading up to a final
meeting that never takes place.
The French, of course, have their own ways of
approaching such epic topics, and this movie is
heavier on boudoirs and chic, lighter on bluster and
battle, than our American classic. It is also curiously
inconclusive, leading up to a final meeting that never
takes place.

Written by Mary(3)
The leading lady looks cool and elegant,
and is dressed in understated tropical chic,
but from time to time she has a Chinese
retainer prepare her an opium pipe, and she
is not above a sudden rush of passion with
a handsome young French Naval officer
(Vincent Perez). He, alas, then falls in love
with Elaine's beautiful young adopted
daughter, and betrays the values of his
officer class to embrace the rising tide of ant
colonial rebellion.

Written by Mary(4)
The photography is the star of this movie.
As the two young lovers run away, hoping to
hide themselves in the countless islands of
a secret lake, a vast long shot shows their
boat as a speck surrounded by magnificent
landscape. Many other shots show
architecture in harmony with the land and
the climate, the outdoors sensed from
indoors, the walls and windows slatted or
curtained so that all life seems partly
exhibitionism.

Written by Mary(5)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Written by Mary(6)
"Indo-chine" is an ambitious, gorgeous
missed opportunity - too slow, too long, too
composed. It is not a successful film, and
yet there is so much good in it that perhaps
it's worth seeing anyway. The beauty,
photography and impact of the scenes shot
on location in Vietnam, are all striking. But
the people seem to drift and waver in their
focus. The film seems to suggest that the
French still do not quite understand what
happened to them in Vietnam. Well, they're
not alone.

Written by Bannie(1)
Customs
Vietnam, had been a long time belong to
China, so it reserves a lot of Chinese
customs, afterward, the land was occupied
by France four years, so we could see the
trace of western culture influence.
“Tanh’s mother: I’ll never understand French
people’ love stories so much folly, fury, and
suffering.” French are open and romantic,
on the contrary, Chinese are most
conservative and reserved.

Written by Bannie(2)
Metaphor
At the last scene, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, which she never been before. The same feeling
as Etienne, he had never seen his mother, Camilla.
“Mother”, for him is so stranger. He said to Elaine: You’re
always kidding! You are my mother!
She moved and tears on her eyes, Elaine asked: what’s the
matter?
Elaine: I broke my heel. Then took off the shoes, stood on
the land, France.
She brings nothing from Vietnam that means she doesn't
want to occupy anything anymore.
She decided let them be free, including herself.

Written by Bannie(3)
Colonialist’s cruel and coldhearted
From the movie, Yvette said to Elaine:
“ Lack of love is never a good thing. It’s the
worst illness of all go on with your superior
airs. The truth is you have no friends, if the
trees were sincere, they would not grow. ….
Goodbye Madame, people are fooled by
you, sure, you’re beautiful, but it’s sad when
you are not beautiful inside…”

Written by Bannie(4)
Ending
In 1954, Jul. 21, the Geneva conference was over
ending 15 years of turmoil and inaugurating the
division into two separate nations of what would
henceforth be called Vietnam.
At first, I couldn't understand its metaphor meaning,
the historical meaning represents by such incestuous
affair story, after watching several times, I feel it is a
good movie, especially for the meta-narrator’s setting,
it tell the reader, it’s true and objective, and means
French could make a introspection for their past
history and mistakes, the un-human behaviors and
actions.

Discussion 1

Topic

Cultural identity can be expressed
in many aspects: ways of life,
behaviour, or beliefs or cultural
values. In this movie, what culture
does Elaine identify with? How
does she display it?

Discussion 1(1)
There is always something bittersweet and
decadent about the dying days of colonial
regimes; Elaine character strides fearlessly
among her plantation workers, who may, for
all she knows, be communists preparing an
uprising. She is protected by the invisible
shield of decades of French rule.

Discussion 1(2)
Her society is a decadent one. She looks
cool and elegant, and is dressed in
understated tropical chic, but from time to
time she has a Chinese retainer prepare her
an opium pipe, and she is not above a
sudden rush of passion with a handsome
young French Naval officer.

Discussion 1(3)
Through this film, Elaine drifts like an angel.
She is as beautiful as ever, in the role of a
lifetime - she spans decades, yet never
ages, and the problem is not to make her
seem young for the early scenes but old
enough for the later ones. Her serenity in
the face of crisis is perhaps too perfect; a
grittier, earthier woman might have
connected better with the realities of the
country.

Discussion 2

Topic

What culture does Elaine adopted
daughter, Camilier identify with?
How does she display it? Is there
any change in her cultural identity
through out the movie? If there is
any, what causes it?

Discussion 2(1)
Culture identity
The story begins with a dragon competition festival. Two
teams, one is France navy; the other is Vietnam’s
coolies. Elaine believed her team would be the winner.
She never hoped the France navy could win, it means
she is part of Indo-Chinese, not just a French.
One day, Camilla asked Elaine: Are all French girls lightskinned like you?
Elaine: It’s not their color that’s important, it’s this, the
taste, the fruit, a child who eats only apples can’t be
like me. I’m an Asian, a mango (mango metaphor
yellow skin, it means her identity of China culture.)

Discussion 2(2)
Protect
From Elaine ‘s narration: “I want to protect Camilla,
she know nothing about me.”
“ She is my daughter now, and I want her to be
happy.”
She loves Camilla, is not second to anyone.
When Camilla was released from prison, she
said “ I tried everything to get you out, I
prayed, I’d have given my life, I was so afraid
you’d die, I have kept everything, the domain,
the land, It’s yours….”

Discussion 2(3)
Camilla’s murder
I didn't answer my father. Camilla was mining what die they
want I couldn't talk about her to anyone. I felt that my
silence would protect her, that it would conceal her murder
that in time it would erase it.
Control
On Christmas party, Elaine invited Camilla to dance.
Elaine: I want to be along with you, in the mountains. Just like
in fairy tales.(Elaine wants to control of Camilla, like her
father control her.)
She asked Jean-Baptiste to leave her daughter, the same as
Elaine’s father asked Baptiste to leave her, she said:
I wanted to save her form you. I don’t want her to think love
means suffering.

Discussion 2(4)
Jean-Baptiste : Save her from me ? You want revenge.
You can’t bear freedom. You can’t let others live.
You think you have a monopoly on life that you control me,
Camilla, your life.
How awful to be like that. You stifle her the way your father
stifled you. You treat people like your trees; you buy them
and drain them. You are insane.
• Change:
At the last, Elaine took Etienne back to her motherland,
France, without taking anything, just her grandson. She
gave up all of her fortune and wealth in Vietnam. She
wanted to have a new start, to live for her-self.

Discussion 2(5)
“For the first time I left matters in someone else’s
hands.”(Madame Minh Tanh had arranged everything;
Camilla was which her, to marry Tanh.)
She wanted to protect Camilla, and wanted her daughter not
to leave her, that Jean-Baptiste had been transferred. She
wants her daughter marry Tanh.
In the lake:
Camille wanted to leave that she looked far away and
thinking of something. She had decided her future and
which is why she looked so beautiful.(Finally, Elaine
choose to leave her father, the fate same as her adopted
daughter, Camilla.)

Discussion 2(6)
Off the scent:
When Camilla left: Elaine : “I love her more than life itself
and I had never told her. Now she was leaving for
good.” She went to a temple to pray, she hoped
Camilla was safe. She knew, in Asia one does not die,
she hope Camilla’s father to protect her.(--- beliefs
identity---)
“I often dream about her(Camilla). I thought she has
Indo-china inside her now.”
I read every book of Ha-Long bay, everything I could
find….
I felt sobbing to my knees,(As Elaine’s missing of her
daughter, she also has Indo-china inside her.)

Discussion 2(7)
Communist:
People called Camilla “ The Red Princess”
She was a communist at last.
One day, a French boy throw a stone at Elaine,
he was arrest, he said: “My parents said you
are a red. A dirty communist.
Elaine answered: “ tell them ! It’s true.”

Discussion 3

Topic

From this movie, give an example
which displays conflicts resulted
from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict.
Has this conflict been resolved?
Why or why not?

Discussion 3(1)
From this movie, give an example which displays
conflicts resulted from cultural differences. Explain
the reason that causes the conflict. Has this conflict
been resolved? Why or why not?
This is a serious conflict between Indonesia and
East Timor. The main reason is both of these
countries are quite difference.
For example: Indonesia—Major languages : 300
local regional languages.
Major religion: Islam.
East Timor—Major languages: Tetun, Portuguese,
English.
Major religion: Christianity.

Discussion 3(2)
Indonesia invaded shortly after Portugal withdrew
in 1975 and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful
people and fight for independence.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for some
400 years. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian
military brutally invaded East Timor, occupying
the country until 1999. In the early years of the
occupation, the Indonesian military killed onethird of the population - 200,000 people - through
murder, forced starvation, and other means.

Discussion 3(3)
The complete cut-off of military ties with
Indonesia by President Clinton in
September 1999 was critical to the
Indonesian military withdrawal from East
Timor and Indonesian agreement to allow
an international security force to enter Timor.
The years of occupation was spread with
massacres, Indonesia government wanted
to destroy the cultural of East Timor. Tens of
thousands suffered tremendous hardships
to survive and resist the occupation.

Discussion 3(4)
It was incorporated into Indonesia in July
1976 as the province of East Timor. A
campaign of pacification followed over the
next two decades, during which an
estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals
lost their lives.
On August 30, 1999, the people of East
Timor voted overwhelmingly for
independence in a UN-conducted popular
consultation that despite months of
systematic terror by the Indonesian military.

Discussion 3(5)
After the result was announced, the Indonesian
military resented by destroying the country:
murdering some 2,000 East Timor people, displace
two-thirds of the population, raped hundreds of
women and girls, and destroyed a lot of the
country's facility.
East Timor will become the world's newest nation
on May 20. At midnight, the United Nations
transitional administration will hand over and
control to the East Timor government, and the East
Timor people will have achieved their long-sought
goal of self-determination. The rebuilding of East
Timor has been one of the UN's biggest jobs.

Discussion 3(6)
The new nation faces major challenges:
justice remains hard to catch, government
services are not working very well,
unemployment is high and economic
development is slow, security along the
border is weak and all refugees who wish to
back home have yet to do so.

Discussion 3(7)
Now Indonesia faces growing demands for
independence among several provinces,
where secessionists have been encouraged
by East Timor's success in breaking away
after 25 years of occupation.
Meanwhile, how about Taiwan, how about
our future, we still struggle with hooligan
neighbor who live in front of our door. Let’s
think about it and face with this fact.