After watching the DEFA adaption of the Brother Grimms’ “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs”, the target audience is definitely geared towards children. Each of these films that DEFA produced between 1946 and 1990 emphasized humanitarian aspects that seem underneath the main storyline of the fairytales. DEFA wanted to introduce children to stories of common people from around the world, working effortlessly to adapt tales all over the world, including Mongolian, Ugrian, and Arabian tales. These films were definitely loved and enjoyed by children and those young and old- very much like how Americans today still enjoy those classic film versions of those traditional fairytales.
DEFA films blend together imaginative plots with subtle messages that are designed to stimulate the minds of children and young people to think deeper about social issues that are from across the board- from greed to racism to exploitation and even hypocrisy- just to name a few. I am not sure how relative and common the story plot of “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs” is to children living during that time, but I guess the other message is that hardwork and determination pays off in the end? I mean Jacob does get to marry the beautiful princess if he is able to complete the task given to him. Oh and his life gets spared. And also putting your wits and intelligence and just smart thinking to use. (these carry a lot of weight and power and change, thus humans are capable of change for the better).
Furthermore, one can see that the target audience is definitely for children by the completely over the top acting of the characters and their facial expressions are extremely exaggerated for maximum effect. For example, when the hammer flies too high into the air, the character goes completely out of control for as a response. Also, the audience will definitely know when the characters were happy, angry, or any of the other emotions because of the character’s comic effects and over the top reactions and responses.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Devil is a Kid's Best Friend
When looking at the original text by the Grimm Brothers, you can already tell it's geared towards a child audience. The devil is stupid, and could easily be outsmarted by any of the children imagining this story. In fact, I see almost no way at all that the film version could not be geared towards children when the original text, too, scolds the devil and puts him in a light that is not only humorous, but overpowered. In both versions, the devil does have some sort of superior. This implies that he can be tamed, like a pet, like a fool, and that to children indicates that they too are superior to him. The devil in the film is also ridiculously painted and costumed; children respond powerfully to visuals. They know that he looks ridiculous; therefore, he is.
The Devil for Children
The DEFA version of “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs” is definitely geared towards a child audience. This film seems like it is meant for families with elementary school aged children because of the way the devil is made into a fool. Jacob pretends to be the devil’s wife and dances with him then scolds him and sends him to bed; that is the kind of humor that young children find funny. Fear of the devil and death is overlooked and made fun of in this film. The devil is almost like a child in that his wife makes him supper and then sends him to bed for being naughty. That is something children can relate to and they will find it amusing that this grown man, who is supposed to be powerful and fearsome, is being treated as a child. There are a number of other parts in the film that were put in specifically to make children laugh. For instance, Jacob runs off into the woods after seeing a mouse or when the devil becoming huge after eating and drinking so much at the wedding.
It’s interesting how the good mother figure of the devil’s grandmother is not in the film, his wife is only mentioned. It’s as if the filmmakers are saying that the actual presence of a mother figure is not important, only the acknowledgement of her existence is significant to the story.
It’s interesting how the good mother figure of the devil’s grandmother is not in the film, his wife is only mentioned. It’s as if the filmmakers are saying that the actual presence of a mother figure is not important, only the acknowledgement of her existence is significant to the story.
No Golden Globes for Golden Hairs
A lot of things happened in 1977. Annie Hall came out and made men's wear for women popular(here). The historical mini-series Roots came out too(here). The last Star Wars movie came out (the "second trilogy" does not count)(here). For kid's the movie "Pete's Dragon" came out (here). The Muppet Show was in its second season(here). And in East Germany DEFA released 'The Devil's Three Golden Hairs."
Guess which one was the worst. I was surprised while first watching the film that it had been made later than Schneewittchen. Perhaps this is due to what seems to be some location shooting and its effort to use "special effects." The whole thing seemed somewhat shoddy. I suppose it could be given a break since it was a made for tv movie, but at the same point, a bit of effort could have been made. I could be picking on it a bit hard.
The story seemed to be trying to make too many points for children. An obvious first point is that drinking is BAD. The boy main character takes one sip of the king's liquor, and is put all out of sorts as seen by the double vision and dizzying camera effects. The king is constantly drinking from his flask, he is an obvious alcoholic. His character is also the worst one, therefore it takes no fool to see the 'subtle' message.
I thought it was funny that a big part of the movie was questioning the leader. They levy tax, and no one believes the king is telling the truth about robbers. In fact, the king's tax collector, once he does finally happen upon the robber's den, is surprised that one even exists, saying "but there Are No Robbers!" For East Germany, I would think that this would go against their system. Questioning what the government tells you does not seem like the best idea to give to children in the GDR.
I suppose in the end, this movie left me a bit confused. Why did he go to such trouble to get the hairs, if in the end he would give them back to the devil? What was the point of him being afraid of mice, and then claiming to not be in the end, I still think he was, the devil did not test him twice. Why did only the leader of the robbers on the boat set himself free? Did the other robbers get to leave later? I don't know. DEFA could have handled this better, I am not sure exactly how this fairy tale jived with their ideals, since I saw what I think were a few jarring subplots.
Guess which one was the worst. I was surprised while first watching the film that it had been made later than Schneewittchen. Perhaps this is due to what seems to be some location shooting and its effort to use "special effects." The whole thing seemed somewhat shoddy. I suppose it could be given a break since it was a made for tv movie, but at the same point, a bit of effort could have been made. I could be picking on it a bit hard.
The story seemed to be trying to make too many points for children. An obvious first point is that drinking is BAD. The boy main character takes one sip of the king's liquor, and is put all out of sorts as seen by the double vision and dizzying camera effects. The king is constantly drinking from his flask, he is an obvious alcoholic. His character is also the worst one, therefore it takes no fool to see the 'subtle' message.
I thought it was funny that a big part of the movie was questioning the leader. They levy tax, and no one believes the king is telling the truth about robbers. In fact, the king's tax collector, once he does finally happen upon the robber's den, is surprised that one even exists, saying "but there Are No Robbers!" For East Germany, I would think that this would go against their system. Questioning what the government tells you does not seem like the best idea to give to children in the GDR.
I suppose in the end, this movie left me a bit confused. Why did he go to such trouble to get the hairs, if in the end he would give them back to the devil? What was the point of him being afraid of mice, and then claiming to not be in the end, I still think he was, the devil did not test him twice. Why did only the leader of the robbers on the boat set himself free? Did the other robbers get to leave later? I don't know. DEFA could have handled this better, I am not sure exactly how this fairy tale jived with their ideals, since I saw what I think were a few jarring subplots.
Assignment: 17 March 2009
This week we are going by the normal schedule, so please post by Tuesday at midnight and leave two comments by Wednesday night.
Prompt: Respond to the film “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs” (DEFA). You may wish to consider one (or more) of the following:
Prompt: Respond to the film “The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs” (DEFA). You may wish to consider one (or more) of the following:
- Target audience
- How it uses the medium specifically in order to tell its version of the story
- Comparison to the DEFA version of “Snow White”
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