originally thought that Director Ang Lee would restore the grand pomp of the music festival, the splendid stage, the passionate and indulgent band performances, and the young people’s contribution to the music And obsessed with joy, as a result, still guessed wrong, this is originally "making", not "performing".
The first half of the film, which sets the stage for the festival, is a bit dull and lengthy. However, the background of the era and the relationship between the characters are still clearly explained. So, after all the twists and turns, people ushered in this most grand carnival festival in summer. Thousands of young people from all over the United States flock to this small town called White Lake for their own gluttonous feast of peace and love.
Regarding the music
, art, love and peace of the music festival, coupled with the background of the times in the United States, the word that has been repeatedly emphasized is undoubtedly "free", whether it is spiritual or physical. The impromptu dance performed by the Earthlight Performers as they welcomed Michael Lang's helicopter, and their chanting of "make love, not fight." Hippies with long hair, long beards, loose, casual boho clothes, psychedelics and marijuana, all the shackles are thrown out the window. There are even naked youths everywhere, and the low bushes are their utopia of indulgence. There is no discrimination and ridicule, no war and oppression.
I think Elliott finally reached the pinnacle of freedom through that strange medicine. This mysterious and colorful hallucination is definitely a brilliant stroke of magic that Ang Lee painted in the movie. The mottled colors on the roof of the car and the crowds on the slopes of Baihu, like waves, I think, if it were me, I would also burst into tears. Illusion is an illusion after all, a white light splits the night, and the reality is like a merciless reality.
about growth
No matter how lively the music festival is, there is a time when the music ends, and at this time the film turns back to "growth", a theme that has appeared many times in Ang Lee's films. From the conflict and quarrel between Elliott and his parents at the beginning, to the understanding and support of his parents at the end, it runs through the entire passion for making Woodstock. Although some of my mother's actions hurt and deceived Elliott, her idea of keeping her son by her side, who is one year short of her life, makes me unable to blame her for being so naive, stubborn and a little stupid. Huhu mother. And the simple answer from your father at the end still stings the softest and most emotional part of your heart.
Elliot must belong to the world of young people. He and his friend Billy had a great time playing in the dirty quagmire. Everything was carefree. Billy said he loved this hill, but he actually I love this kind of indulgence and freedom. In the end, Elliot chose to leave the town and start his own journey.
Regarding homosexuality
, I will also come to August 18 Ang Lee's homosexual complex. Same-sex themes are not uncommon in Ang Lee's films, from "The Wedding Banquet" to "Brokeback Mountain" to "Making Woodstock," although Elliott's homosexuality is mentioned in this film. The problem is only to the point, but the self-recommended security comrade named Verma can be interspersed in the later scenes, and even I personally think that he is the one who reduced the conflict between Elliot and his parents from big to small to small. The guiding role is also a link between the parent-child relationship from mutual rejection to mutual understanding and tolerance. It is estimated that perhaps he persuaded his father to accept the "brutal" reality that his son was gay. Otherwise, the old man is just a rural old guard in Baihu, how could he face everything calmly in the end.
Some people on the Internet joked that Ang Lee missed an important man in his life, and even called him to come out. However, all this is just YY of fans who like him.
In the end, I still admire Director Ang Lee very much. He did not directly face the stage of the magnificent Woodstock Music Festival, but left such a beautiful fantasy to people, this beautiful fantasy of love and peace.
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