1. Student's full name: PHAM THI HIEN TRANG 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: July 4, 1990
4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Decision on recognition of students No.: Decision No. 2948/2021//QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2021 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
6. Changes in training process: No
7. Thesis topic: Discourse on trauma in films adapted from Haruki Murakami's works: The case of Lee Chang Dong's "Burning" (2018) and Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" (2021)
8. Major: Theory, history of cinema and television; Code: 8210232.01
9. Scientific advisor: Dr. Trinh Van Dinh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
10. Summary of thesis results:
Lee Chang Dong and Ryusuke Hamaguchi are among the directors who have successfully adapted Haruki Murakami's works to the screen. Through their talent, these two directors have transformed the traumatic stories of characters in literary works into traumatic discourses in films with a more multidimensional and profound perspective. It is expressed in the cinematic space with settings, sounds, lights, actors' performances... creating a layered effect of traumatic discourse.
Lee Chang Dong is a filmmaker who is actively involved in politics and interested in social history. His films deal with the political and economic issues of Korea, but the main focus is on the people of the times who are traumatized by conflict with their circumstances. People cannot be separated from their surroundings, they are influenced by reality and in the fight against it, they seek the meaning of their lives. Lee Chang Dong's films have a very real feel, it draws the viewer in and forces them to reflect on the nature of the story.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi is an experimental filmmaker, he always wants to apply all the new knowledge he has learned into his films to create uniqueness. His films often focus on expressing the psychological emotions of the characters, human subjects always appear in a lonely form with clearly realized traumatic discourses. In pursuing realism, he always values natural elements, from acting to the actors' dialogue. Sometimes, he lets the actors speak unconsciously without requiring them to express their emotions, letting the characters feel and be inspired at any time.
In this thesis, we apply the approach of discourse theory and trauma theory, author style into the research. Through specific structural-systemic methods, intertextual methods, biographical approaches, we find the theme of trauma throughout the content of the films Burning and Drive My Car. They have created discourses about the causes, manifestations and solutions to alleviate trauma. Thereby, people are traumatized due to encountering the senseless death of a loved one, the loss of family, broken trust and lack of connection in life. That trauma is expressed through the breakdown in the human soul, existential crisis, deadlock in life and breakdown in the relationship between the individual and the community, loneliness and lack of connection. Trauma cannot be ended and ended in the mind of the trauma victim, but through forms of narrative, such as writing (composing) poetry, novels or singing (performing music), acting or impersonation, trauma can be translated and released, soothed.
Using scientific operations, we deeply analyze the two films Burning and Drive My Car from narrative elements and cinematic language to clarify the stylistic imprints of the discourse on trauma in the films. They have built the trauma story together by people of the era, people who contain contradictions and are affected by real circumstances, encounter many traumatic problems in family life, intellectual characters, artists, have complex personalities, and think about life. The trauma space is the suburban areas, adjacent areas, urban spaces where life has many contradictions and characters tend to run away from familiar spaces causing trauma. Regarding the stylistic imprints of Lee Chang Dong and Hamaguchi's films through cinematic language, which are most clearly expressed in the staging and filming, they have left a genuine and new mark in their works about trauma.
Above is the summary of the thesis topic: Discourse on trauma in films adapted from Haruki Murakami's works: The case of Lee Chang Dong's "Burning" (2018) and Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" (2021) that we have surveyed.
11. Practical application:
The research results of the thesis will be reference materials for the research activity on the stylistic imprints of the discourse on trauma in the films Burning and Drive My Car by directors Lee Chang Dong and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
12. Further research directions: Research on Ryusuke Hamaguchi's films from stylistic and narrative theory approaches.
13. Published works related to the thesis:
(list projects in chronological order if available)
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name: PHAM THI HIEN TRANG 2. Sex: Female
3. Date of birth: July 04, 1990 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Admission decision number: No 2948/2021//QD-XHNV Dated December 28, 2021
6. Changes in academic process: None
7. Official thesis title: Traumatic Discourse in the Film Adaptations of Haruki Murakami's 'Burning' (2018) by Lee Chang Dong and 'Drive My Car' (2021) by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
8. Major: Film and Television Studies
9. Code: 8210232.01
10. Supervisor: Doctor Trinh Van Dinh, VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Hanoi)
11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:
Lee Chang Dong and Ryusuke Hamaguchi are notable directors who have successfully adapted Haruki Murakami's works for the screen. Through their talents, these two directors have transformed the traumatic narratives of literary characters into profound cinematic discourses. This transformation is achieved through the skilled utilization of cinematic elements such as sets, sounds, lighting, and actors' performances, resulting in a multi-dimensional and layered exploration of trauma.
Lee Chang Dong is a filmmaker deeply engaged in political and social history. His films address critical political and economic issues in Korea, yet they mainly focus on individuals of the era who have been deeply scarred by the conflicts and circumstances surrounding them. Lee Chang Dong's work highlights the inextricable connection between individuals and the environment they inhabit. It underscores how people are profoundly influenced by their surroundings and, in their struggle against reality, seek to uncover the meaning of their lives. His films deliver a strikingly realistic portrayal, captivating viewers and compelling them to contemplate the essence of the narrative.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi is an experimental filmmaker known for his relentless pursuit of uniqueness by incorporating newly acquired knowledge into his films. His works frequently delves into the intricate psychological landscapes of his characters, portraying human subjects grappling with profound and unmistakable traumas while often experiencing profound solitude. In his quest for realism, Hamaguchi places a strong emphasis on the natural elements within his films, extending from the authenticity of the actors' performances to their unscripted dialogue. He sometimes encourages actors to express emotions spontaneously, allowing characters to navigate the spectrum of feelings and reach moments of ecstasy without restraint.
In this thesis, we employ a combination of discourse theory, trauma theory, and the author's unique style to conduct our research. Utilizing specific structural-systemic methods, intertextual analysis, and biographical approaches, we explore the theme of trauma that permeates the narrative of the films "Burning" and "Drive My Car." These films construct discourses that shed light on the causes, manifestations, and potential solutions to trauma. Within these narratives, individuals experience trauma as a result of confronting the senseless loss of loved ones, familial disintegration, shattered trust, and a pervasive sense of disconnection in their lives. This trauma is visually and emotionally manifested as a profound disintegration of the human soul, leading to existential crisis, life stagnation, ruptured connections within society, pervasive loneliness, and an overall lack of human connection. It's important to note that the healing of trauma does not consist solely within the psyche of the trauma survivor. Rather, forms of autobiographical expression, such as writing poetry and novels, engaging in musical performances, acting, or even personal transformation, become channels through which trauma can be translated, released, and ultimately ameliorated.
Through a rigorous scientific analysis, we delve deeply into the films "Burning" and "Drive My Car," examining their narrative elements and cinematic language to uncover the distinctive stylistic elements that convey the discourse of trauma within these films. Together, they weave a narrative of trauma, depicting individuals of their respective eras grappling with conflicts and the profound impact of real-life circumstances. The characters within these films navigate a myriad of traumatic challenges, be it in their family lives, the intellectual sphere, or as artists with complex personalities, all while engaging in introspection about the meaning of life.
These traumatic experiences are intricately intertwined with their surroundings, manifesting in suburban, contiguous, and urban spaces marked by inherent contradictions. It's in these spaces that characters often seek to escape from the familiar yet traumatic environments that have shaped their struggles.
Examining the filmmaking styles of Lee Chang Dong and Ryusuke Hamaguchi, with a particular focus on staging and cinematography, we can discern the enduring and authentic impressions they have imparted in their works, which explore the theme of trauma. Their cinematic language infuses vitality into the narrative, presenting a remarkable lifelike and innovative portrayal of the profound impact of trauma on the human experience.
12. Practical Applicability:
The research findings in this thesis will serve as a valuable reference for scholars and researchers studying the stylistic imprints that convey the discourse of trauma in the films "Burning" (2018) directed by Lee Chang Dong and "Drive My Car" (2021) directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. This analysis offers insights into how cinematic language and narrative elements are harnessed to depict and explore the theme of trauma, providing a foundational resource for future investigations in the field of film studies.
13. Further Research Directions:
As a continuation of this study, future research endeavors could explore Ryusuke Hamaguchi's films through a stylistic approach and an in-depth examination of narrative theory. This deeper investigation will shed light on the intricate methods through which Hamaguchi conveys and examines the discourse of trauma, offering a more profound understanding of his cinematic style and thematic exploration.
Thesis-related publications: ...................................................................................................
(List them in chronological order)
