Cinderella

Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella brings the storybook fairy tale to life in the Disney's remake of the classic.  However, this time, it is in three-dimensional form—that is, in human form, a stark contrast to an animated version eons ago.  Add on a little help from the digital department, Cinderella's transformation for the royal ball comes into fruition magically, by her fairy godmother's dusts on waving her magic wand over this young girl—transforming an old, torn dress into a shimmering blue ballgown you cannot miss.  Glittering crystals had been hand-sewn onto the dress, making it even shine more under the chandelier lights and the moon-lit sky.  The magic her fairy godmother sprinkles onto Cinderella is . . . a real eye-opener.  And the camera shot of her transforming, the humming music in the background, and the added digital effects takes you through a magical trance of Disney's classics.  It is a certainly a magic of make-believe.  What stands out in this version of Cinderella is the set designs, the extravagant costumes, and the digitized forest of trees which expands wide and beyond.  Some of the scenes had been shot at a camera angle that enhances the journey even further, taking you there along with the character.  The movie begins, for example, with an aerial shot of Cinderella's abode in the peaceful countryside.  The viewer also gets the bird's eye view of the forest, the castle, and more scenes in creating, sensationalizing the dramatic visual effect.  When Cinderella rushes out the door at the struck of midnight, the camera is shot at a slanted angle, enhancing a feeling of anxiety to you, the viewer.  The starring cast of the movie is relatively unknown, but it does not matter for this film.  This is a classic fairytale, which had been translated into many different languages—all over the globe, everywhere.  Some known names you may recognize:  Sir Kenneth Branagh, director of the movie, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter (actresses).  These names have been in enough movies to draw you in the movie.  Blanchett has a strong screen presence —her voice tone has a distinctly lower, quieter tone.  (I remember Blanchett from her modeling days at SKII, a high-end Japanese skincare brand at Saks.)  Bonham Carter has a certain quality that makes you remember her.  The ballroom scene fills up with variety of colors and large scale dresses from different ethnic backgrounds.  

I use few simple French sentences in my poem.  I have been interested in Rosetta Stone, a self-learning language program where you learn different languages at home.  I like the sound of French language.  I have been reading Shakespeare's Sonnets and that may have influenced the romantic language.


Translation: 

Il était une fois  (Once upon a time)
Le temps passa (Time passed)

Qui êtes vous?  (Who are you?)

Comment vous appelle-t-on?  (How do you call yourself?)

Je vois d’astre sur des yeux.  (I see stars in your eyes)

Je’espère vous revoir.  C’est promis.  (I hope to see you again.  It's a promise.) 

Comme c’est plaîsant.  (How pleasant.) 

bonne fée (fairy godmother) 

N'est-ce pas?  (Isn't that so?)

Poem of a story of Cinderella:

Once upon a time,                                          

Girl fare a life with family,                           
Greets her flocks of geese,                        
And broods of hen, dules of doves,        
Flocks and herds in her country,                              

 

While birdsongs keep her merry                              

Once upon a time,                                          
When hands of time goes further,          
Sorrow struck on her,                                   
When dear pappy pass,                                               
But with each tick of the clock,                  
Pulse, beat of her heart,                              
And throbs of the town,                                              
Her spirits reap, too obtain,                        

  

One day on her trip,                                    

Fleeing her wicked step-sisters,                               
Once upon a time,
Locked eyes in a slip,                                     
Eyes of a prince like hers,                            
Stars write two flock together,                 

  

Qui êtes vous?                                               

Comment s’appelle vous?                          
Voit d’astre,                                                      
Sur des yeux,                                                    
J’espère rendre ta visite,                             
Il était une fois,                                                

  

Stars align for two,                                       

And the pair would meet again,                               
All invites welcome,                                       
Once upon a time,
They meet under gloss of glow,                               
They dance light on feet to strains,         

  

Belle of the ball—all draws eyes,            

Dance with gleam in eyes,                          
Clock tower chimes ding-dong toll,         
She flutters to bell,                                        
Slips a glass slipper,                                        
Prince search for all womankind,             
Once upon a time,
For right fit—search high,                               

 

They arrive,                                                   

Once upon a time,
At her country house,                                   
She hums round,                                            
In spirit,                                                               
Dulcet voice, a gleam of hope,       

 

Qui êtes vous?                                                 

Stardust sprinkles her,                                  

C’est bonne fée,                                             
Take flyer,                                                       
Bless on her side—two abut,                       

They flock; it’s that nice,                              
Once upon a time.