austraLasia #3187
SEOUL: 1 February 2103 -- Korea has been falling in love with Les Miserables, one of the great literary items of the 19th century, written by Victor Hugo. The novel was put to music and had its premiere in London, 8 October 1985. We then know that it was made into a film by movie director Tom Hooper, likewise famous for his Oscar-awarded movie “The King’s Speech.”
Les Miserables was released on 19 December 2012 in Korea and more than 1 million people watched it over just 5 days after the premiere. According to the Korean Film Council, Les Miserables hit the 5.5 milion viewer mark on 26 January and theatres are still crowded with the people wanting to take part in this phenomenon. The reason for its popularity seems to be that the movie touches the hearts of Koreans who are dealing with economic, psychological, relational hardships in their daily life. People seem to consider themselves as 'the miserable ones' and feel empathy for the characters in the movie.
In the novel, Victor Hugo suggested characters destined to fight against their fate determined by the economic and social ills of their time. Fantine worked hard and died in grief and worry over her daughter Cosette; Jean Valjean spent 19 years chained and suffering in slavery on a charge of stealing a mouthful of bread for his sister’s child; then there are the young men who died at the barricades, fighting for justice and freedom in the 1832 rebellion: all are 'les miserables' and the victims of 19th century ills. Victor hugo tried to suggest humanity and charity as the most important solution for the agony of the people suffering from poverty, violence and unfairness.
It is less known that Victor Hugo had an opportunity of having a talk with Don Bosco in Paris, 1883. Don Bosco and Victor Hugo both lived through the economic and political ferment of 19th century Europe. They had quite similar perspectives on the situation of society and both thought that humanity and charity are the only ways to bring peace to the world. However there is also a difference between their thoughts. Don Bosco’s humanity was deeply based on religious values while Hugo’s humanity was not exactly related to religion. But their difference was overcome through the occasion of the interview in which they shared a very deep spiritual dialogue in 1883, Paris. To take a look at their talk, just follow the link. I am deeply sorry for those who can’t speak French! But there's always Google translate!
http://www.biblisem.net/narratio/espidonb.htm
Don Bosco and Victor Hugo
Fr Bernard Lee sdb
SEOUL: 1 February 2103 -- Korea has been falling in love with Les Miserables, one of the great literary items of the 19th century, written by Victor Hugo. The novel was put to music and had its premiere in London, 8 October 1985. We then know that it was made into a film by movie director Tom Hooper, likewise famous for his Oscar-awarded movie “The King’s Speech.”
Les Miserables was released on 19 December 2012 in Korea and more than 1 million people watched it over just 5 days after the premiere. According to the Korean Film Council, Les Miserables hit the 5.5 milion viewer mark on 26 January and theatres are still crowded with the people wanting to take part in this phenomenon. The reason for its popularity seems to be that the movie touches the hearts of Koreans who are dealing with economic, psychological, relational hardships in their daily life. People seem to consider themselves as 'the miserable ones' and feel empathy for the characters in the movie.
In the novel, Victor Hugo suggested characters destined to fight against their fate determined by the economic and social ills of their time. Fantine worked hard and died in grief and worry over her daughter Cosette; Jean Valjean spent 19 years chained and suffering in slavery on a charge of stealing a mouthful of bread for his sister’s child; then there are the young men who died at the barricades, fighting for justice and freedom in the 1832 rebellion: all are 'les miserables' and the victims of 19th century ills. Victor hugo tried to suggest humanity and charity as the most important solution for the agony of the people suffering from poverty, violence and unfairness.
It is less known that Victor Hugo had an opportunity of having a talk with Don Bosco in Paris, 1883. Don Bosco and Victor Hugo both lived through the economic and political ferment of 19th century Europe. They had quite similar perspectives on the situation of society and both thought that humanity and charity are the only ways to bring peace to the world. However there is also a difference between their thoughts. Don Bosco’s humanity was deeply based on religious values while Hugo’s humanity was not exactly related to religion. But their difference was overcome through the occasion of the interview in which they shared a very deep spiritual dialogue in 1883, Paris. To take a look at their talk, just follow the link. I am deeply sorry for those who can’t speak French! But there's always Google translate!
http://www.biblisem.net/narratio/espidonb.htm
