I happened to see this film in Paris with few friends. The film was subtitled in French and I do not speak or read French. But to my surprise the film grabbed my attention, than slowly my mind mysteriously... as it turned poetic and touching -I was in the VALLEY OF FLOWERS, not wanting to go out and face the French arrogance...
It is almost meaningless to try to ascertain any scientific or cultural logic beneath the surface of this allegorical story inspired from Alexandra David Neel's work. Such hairsplitting will only make you lose the merit of this work.
The film commences in early 19th Century in the Himalayas, a gang of bandits wait for their attack. We are almost in Sergio Leone feel... After the attack the chief of bandit falls for a mysterious victim. Now begins a great love story as they go on pillaging silk route... Soon comes the "Sherrif" and he is going to get the "outlaws"...
Lovers after savoring material wealth leap into super-natural thefts, the chase continues... I will not reveal all but finally two centuries later, ends in Tokyo of today.
There are many themes which touches all of us, the film remains universal and will surely strike US audience with its magical spell. After all it is very modern and new age. Somewhat BABEL or THE FOUNTAIN like.
Already there is great concept, great style and great photography. This story would make a fantastic American remake. Imagine 2 centuries ago the Grand Canryon, a group of outlaws attack Navajo or Hopi Indians, One of the Outlaw falls in love with a mysterious Indian girl. Together they rob the wild west. Then comes the bounty hunter or sheriff. The chase begins. But soon the mysterious Indian girl leads our hero to supernatural robberies with voodoo and black magic of Indians thrown in -they robe vital energies, luck and ultimately they want to become Immortal. They find in a far far land a Hualapai holy man and steal from him the elixir of immortality. It works on him but she dies. Tragedy. He will live on with his suffering and longing... cut to modern day NYC where our hero is 197 years of age!!!! Isn't that great? Use your imagination and you will see this will make a superb remake about love, longing and death. I agree it is better plot than The Fountain (2006)
Sorry, writer in me took off. But that is the proof, there are rare movies in the world today which can inspire you or fire up your imagination. Do not miss Valley of Flowers, mind you it is not a perfect film, it has it weaknesses. But it is indeed a haunting film. Valley is also a philosophical journey through the ideas of life, love, loss, and hope.
Valley of Flowers provokes something very human out of its viewers. I can remember being one of the few in the audience (having had a full house in the beginning) and still watching the credits roll, sharing a strange sensation. It wasn't joy. It wasn't sorrow. It was just feeling a part of something that I can't explain, and I think just for that -this movie is something quite remarkable for being able to do that.
It is almost meaningless to try to ascertain any scientific or cultural logic beneath the surface of this allegorical story inspired from Alexandra David Neel's work. Such hairsplitting will only make you lose the merit of this work.
The film commences in early 19th Century in the Himalayas, a gang of bandits wait for their attack. We are almost in Sergio Leone feel... After the attack the chief of bandit falls for a mysterious victim. Now begins a great love story as they go on pillaging silk route... Soon comes the "Sherrif" and he is going to get the "outlaws"...
Lovers after savoring material wealth leap into super-natural thefts, the chase continues... I will not reveal all but finally two centuries later, ends in Tokyo of today.
There are many themes which touches all of us, the film remains universal and will surely strike US audience with its magical spell. After all it is very modern and new age. Somewhat BABEL or THE FOUNTAIN like.
Already there is great concept, great style and great photography. This story would make a fantastic American remake. Imagine 2 centuries ago the Grand Canryon, a group of outlaws attack Navajo or Hopi Indians, One of the Outlaw falls in love with a mysterious Indian girl. Together they rob the wild west. Then comes the bounty hunter or sheriff. The chase begins. But soon the mysterious Indian girl leads our hero to supernatural robberies with voodoo and black magic of Indians thrown in -they robe vital energies, luck and ultimately they want to become Immortal. They find in a far far land a Hualapai holy man and steal from him the elixir of immortality. It works on him but she dies. Tragedy. He will live on with his suffering and longing... cut to modern day NYC where our hero is 197 years of age!!!! Isn't that great? Use your imagination and you will see this will make a superb remake about love, longing and death. I agree it is better plot than The Fountain (2006)
Sorry, writer in me took off. But that is the proof, there are rare movies in the world today which can inspire you or fire up your imagination. Do not miss Valley of Flowers, mind you it is not a perfect film, it has it weaknesses. But it is indeed a haunting film. Valley is also a philosophical journey through the ideas of life, love, loss, and hope.
Valley of Flowers provokes something very human out of its viewers. I can remember being one of the few in the audience (having had a full house in the beginning) and still watching the credits roll, sharing a strange sensation. It wasn't joy. It wasn't sorrow. It was just feeling a part of something that I can't explain, and I think just for that -this movie is something quite remarkable for being able to do that.