GOT: Sex in the Seven Kingdoms Part 2
from left: Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) insists on taking Olyvar (Will Tudor) to bed with him and Ellaria.
Written by
Jude Bautista
Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) meets Lord Varys (Conleth Hill), a former eunuch elevated to the small council as Master of Whispers for the first time. Prince Oberyn: My paramour Ellaria (Indira Varma) would find you very interesting. You should come to the brothel and meet her. We brought our own wine not the swill they serve here. We have some lovely boys on retainer, but you did like boys before? (Lord Varys shakes his head.) Price Oberyn: Really? Girls? I hope you won’t be offended when I say I never would have guessed. Lord Varys: Not at all. But I was never interested in girls either. Prince Oberyn: What then? Lord Varys: Nothing. Prince Oberyn: Everybody is interested in something. Lord Varys: Not me. When I see what it does to people, when I see what its done to this country I am very glad to take no part in it. Besides the absence of desire leaves one free to pursue other things. Prince Oberyn: Such as? Lord Varys turns to look at the Iron Throne and walks away. [From GOT Season 4 Episode 6-The Laws of God and Men]
second from left: Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) insists on taking Olyvar (Will Tudor) to bed with him and Ellaria.
For anyone wanting to get into the Game Of Thrones worldwide craze, its highly recommended you watch it from the very beginning Episode 1 season 1 and then just watch it through to the latest season. There are many ways to do this without having to resort to illegal downloads, that more often or not have viruses that harm your computer.
from right: King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) with his lover Sir Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones).
HBO ON DEMAND is one such way to access previous episodes without having to download large files that occupy precious hard drive space. And allow you access to their libraries of other hits such as Boardwalk Empire in various devices, from tablets to phones. In the Philippines, one of the most convenient ways of accessing movie and TV hits is iflix. PLDT HOME subscribers can get free access to iflix for 30 days. Although GOT is yet to be part of the current line up of shows. When it does reach iflix, it will make it that much easier and practical to update yourself in the GOT universe.
Ros (Esmé Bianco) shows her wares.
When one sees nudity, especially on TV, it’s easy to think that producers are just after greater ratings or audience share. In the case of Game of Thrones there’s a lot more going on than just the usual mindless sex & violence.
Olyvar (Will Tudor) excuses himself from selection.
Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice & Fire) novelist George RR Martin doesn’t filter out sex and all it’s varying forms, preferences in his books and now hit series on HBO. In a way Martin is able to recognize there’s more than just heterosexual desire, there’s homosexuality, bisexuality and so on. Although the genre is fantasy/drama, it’s a very accurate portrayal of human nature. Often there’s purpose and meaning, a statement if you will that comes with nudity and sex scenes. Its no surprise that his best selling series has been critically acclaimed and has won awards long before David Benioff & DB Weiss decided to adapt it for TV.
Jonathan Pryce plays High Sparrow, leader of the cult.
Religious Hypocrisy
For the most recent season 5, Jonathan Pryce is cast as High Sparrow the leader of a radical cult. They go on a rampage arresting and even executing anyone they suspect of ‘immoral behavior’. Ironically, Filipinos remember Jonathan Pryce as the Engineer in the musical Miss Saigon, which had Lea Salonga as its lead in 1987. The Engineer in that musical owned a bar frequented by U.S. soldiers and was the leading purveyor of flesh.
High Septon (Paul Bentley) has elaborate cosplay before choosing his companion in Baelish’ brothel – Season 5.
One of the figures they harass is the High Septon (Paul Bentley) the equivalent of a bishop or any high position in an established religion today. The High Septon frequents the brothel owned by Lord Baelish. In one occasion the High Septon takes two of them at the same time in an elaborate ceremony/cosplay.
High Septon (Paul Bentley) has elaborate cosplay before choosing his companion in Baelish’ brothel – Season 5.
He is dragged out from the brothel by the extremist cult of High Sparrow and is made to walk naked through the city while being hit by a stick. In the Philippines, it’s common knowledge that even a Catholic bishop or two has fathered children. The priesthood in the U.S. has been rocked by scandals of pedophilia. This is just one of several ways that Martin injects this reality in his novels.
Cult drags High Septon (Paul Bentley) out of brothel and forces him to walk naked across the city.
Priestess Melisandre (Carice Van Houten) seduces Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane).
The priestess Melisandre (Carice Van Houten) since the first season has cast a strong influence on Lord Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane). This leads to people being burned alive at the stake not unlike the Spanish Inquisition or the Witch-hunt by the Pilgrims. In all these cases needless lives were lost and countless people imprisoned and tortured from religious fanaticism and persecution.
The cult gains followers even across the narrow sea.
Lord Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen)
Prostitution
Lord Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) a.k.a. Little Finger runs the most prestigious brothel in all of Westeros. Their specialty is being able to cater to any and all kinds of pleasures no matter how niche. It’s no surprise that Baelish has translated his success into political power as a medieval J. Edgar Hoover who has a dossier on anyone and everyone of importance. From the beginning to the later seasons there have also been prostitutes who have elevated their position in one form or another. They’re not just uneducated, impoverished victims. There’s Ros (Esmé Bianco) from season 1 and Shae (Sibel Kekilli) both of them incidentally have had Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) as their regular customer.
from left: Ros (Esmé Bianco) & Shae (Sebil Kekilli)
German star actress Sebil Kekilli plays Shae.
Sibel Kekilli is a German actress of Turkish descent. She did very few adult movies, but quickly out grew this and proved herself as an actress. She did indie film HEAD ON in 2004 and went on to work on German TV shows Paare (2015) and hit show Tatort. Her performance in Die Fremde (2010) has also earned her Best Actress from European Film Awards German Film Awards and German Film Critics Association. Her role as Shae was the international break through that gave her wider recognition.
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) & Shae (Sebil Kekilli) genuinely fell in love.
Sahara Knight is offered by Lord Baelish (Aidan Gillen) to a client.
Porn Casting
Perhaps because of the many nude scenes, GOT producers thought it would be easier to cast talents from the porn industry: Aeryn Walker, Maisie Dee, Samantha Bentley, Jessica Jensen and Sahara Knight.
Sahara Knight is offered by Lord Baelish (Aidan Gillen) to a client.
Sahara Knight because of her exotic looks, brown eyes, olive skin was perfect as one of the rare treats in Lord Baelish brothel. Aeryn Walker was cast as one of the incestuous Craster’s wives.
Samantha Bentley plays a whore in Danaerys costume showing off her rear end.
Samantha Bentley was the prostitute who was dressed in honor of Queen Danaerys in a dress that revealed her fine buttocks.
Samantha Bentley plays a whore in Danaerys costume showing off her rear end.
Jessica Jensen was cast as one of three whores that took away the virginity of Tyrion’s squire Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman).
Jessica Jensen was cast as one of three whores that took away the virginity of Tyrion’s squire Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman).
Maisie Dee as a gift to the king is tasted by Ros (Esmé Bianco).
Maisie Dee-had perhaps one of the most famous scenes in GOT when King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) has Ros (Esmé Bianco) whip her with a belt then sexually assault her with a scepter. For photos of this scene click on this link to GOT: Sex in the Seven Kingdoms Part 1.
Grand Maester Pycell (Julian Glover) takes a whore (Maisie Dee)
from right: King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) with his lover Sir Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones).
Homosexuality
King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) had Sir Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones) as his lover. It was an open secret. There was also a famous shaving scene as Loras wanted his lover clean of chest and pubic hair. Baelish also recruited Olyvar (Will Tudor) as his male prostitute specifically to seduce Loras.
from right: King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) with his lover Sir Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones).
Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) & Ellaria Sands (Indira Varma)
Prince Oberyn Martel and his paramour Ellaria Sands were both bisexuals having both men and women in their bed most often at the same time. Oberyn once said, “Why should I deny myself the pleasure the other half of the world enjoys?”
Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) & Ellaria Sands (Indira Varma) examines young woman at Lord Baelish’ brothel
from right: Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) insists on taking Olyvar (Will Tudor) to bed with him and Ellaria.
WordPress:
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Lord Baelish’ brothel also gives the pleasure of voyeurism- the original porn.
Lord Baelish’ brothel also gives the pleasure of voyeurism- the original porn.
fb fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Text-and-Photos-by-Jude-Bautista/146371575384135
Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) confronts two Lannister knights in the next room.
tumblr:
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
Shae (Sebil Kekili) seduces Tyrion (Peter Dinklage)
Shae (Sebil Kekili) seduces Tyrion (Peter Dinklage)
flickr:
The Imp gifts his squire Podrick with the best whores in Baelish’ brothel
The Imp gifts his squire Podrick with the best whores in Baelish’ brothel.
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) tries to seduce King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) unsuccessfully.
Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) tries to seduce King Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) unsuccessfully.
WordPress:
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
House Tyrell sygil with motto: Growing Strong- Wallpaper by Sasha Vinogradova
http://melaamory.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=72
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Text-and-Photos-by-Jude-Bautista/146371575384135
from right: Exotic treat (Sahara Knight) with Sir Bronn (Jerome Flynn)
from right: Exotic treat (Sahara Knight) with Sir Bronn (Jerome Flynn)
WordPress:
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
Samantha Bentley plays a whore in Danaerys costume showing off her rear end.
Cult drags High Septon (Paul Bentley) out of brothel and forces him to walk naked across the city.
fb fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Text-and-Photos-by-Jude-Bautista/146371575384135
from right: Olyvar (Will Tudor) shows Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) their selection of women at Lord Baelish’ brothel.
from right: Olyvar (Will Tudor) shows Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) & Ellaria Sands (Indira Varma) their selection of women at Lord Baelish’ brothel
tumblr:
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
Ellaria Sands (Indira Varma)
flickr:
House Martell sygil with motto: Unbowed, unbent, unbroken- Wallpaper by Sasha Vinogradova
http://melaamory.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=72
http://judebautista.tumblr.com/
Prince Oberyn (Pedro Pascal) & Ellaria Sands (Indira Varma)
WordPress:
http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Text-and-Photos-by-Jude-Bautista/146371575384135
Superman’s Fight of the Millennium
HENRY CAVILL is the new Superman for the millennium. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Written by
Jude Bautista
In the middle of the Supreme council meeting in Krypton an explosion kills guards, General Zod barges in. General Zod (Michael Shannon): This council has been disbanded. Ro zar (Mary Black): On who’s Authority? Zod: Mine. (shoots Ro Zar) The rest of you will be tried and punished accordingly. Jor El (Russell Crowe): What are you doing Zod? This is madness. Zod: What I should have done years ago. These lawmakers with their endless debates have led Krypton to ruin! Jor El: And if your forces prevail? You’ll be the leader of nothing. Zod: Then join me help me save our race. We’re staring new we’ll sever the degenerative bloodlines that led us to this day. Jor El: Who will decide which blood line survives? You? Zod: Don’t question me, the last thing I want is for us to be enemies. Jor El: You have abandoned the principles that bound us together. You have taken the sword against your own people. I will honor the man you once were Zod. Not this monster you’ve become.
right: General Zod (Michael Shannon) and his troops are in battle armor in Krypton. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Brace yourselves for action like never before in MAN OF STEEL. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
MAN OF STEEL differentiates it self from other Superman versions because of the deeper exploration of the storyline in the planet Krypton. Casting Russell Crowe affords the role of Jor El better fight and action sequences. Gladiator gets to kick ass on planet Krypton. Henry Cavill as Kal El / Superman doesn’t show up til half the movie. The action starts way before there even was a Superman and that’s ok.
GLADIATOR Russell Crowe is Jor El he also gets to kick ass in Krypton. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Having director Zack Snyder of 300 fame is a guarantee to all fans that there are fast paced and elaborate action sequences. And he certainly delivered. There will also be a much-awaited sequel to his huge 2006 hit- 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE.
from right: Faora Ul (Antje Traue) suits up Lois Lane (Amy Adams) for a breathing apparatus inside their ship, which has Krypton’s air. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Michael Shannon is perfect for the self righteous zealot General Zod having played Agent Nelson Van Alden in HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall
The role of General Zod is also given a greater importance here. Michael Shannon from previous experience is tailor made for it. Shannon played Agent Nelson Van Alden in HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE. He was a religious cop who was into self-flagellation during the era of prohibition. Since most of the police force were in the pockets of the bootleggers, he was the only one not on the take. So when he suspected his partner as corrupt he had no qualms of killing him. Shannon is able to portray insanity in a moralistic self-righteous way for BOTH characters.
Michael Shannon is perfect for the self righteous zealot General Zod having played Agent Nelson Van Alden in HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall. The format of this pic is for facebook covers, just click and save as.
HENRY CAVILL is the new Superman for the millennium. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
For the first time, a Brit is cast as Superman, Henry Cavill (pronounced as travel). His best-known role was of THE TUDORS series. One of Henry Cavill’s favorite films of all time was GLADIATOR. MAN OF STEEL gives him the chance to play his idol’s son. Russell Crowe is also an international actor, being Australian himself.
from left: Jor El (Russell Crowe) has an expanded role in Man of Steel (right) Kal El/Superman (Henry Cavill). Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
German actress Antye Taure plays Faora Ul. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Apart from them there cast also has other international actors, one of which is young German actress Antje Traue, (pronounced as Ahntye Trow-uh). She plays one of Zod’s officers, Faora Ul. Antje was also recently seen in another sci-fi action film PANDORUM with Dennis Quaid and UFC star Cung Le. Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer (pronounced as EYE-uh-let Zer-AIR) is Jor El’s wife Lara Lor-Van. Ayelet was in ANGELS & DEMONS with Tom Hanks but can also be seen in the hit TV series TOUCH as Rosemary Mathis.
Fight scenes are ultra fast because of Super speed and flight on both sides. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
General Zod (Michael Shannon) is in armor even in Krypton. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Epic Battle between supermen
By the time Zod reaches earth to look for a grown up Kal El, the action here gets turned up a notch. MAN OF STEEL unlike previous versions is a lot darker and more apocalyptic. The fight scene between Faora Ul and Kal El is particularly violent. Whole blocks of buildings are damaged. The fight also goes so fast because of super speed and flight. The violence far exceeds that of SUPERMAN II with Christopher Reeve also battling other Kryptonians.
from left: General Swanwick (Harry Lennix), Major Carrie Farris (Christina Wren) and Dr. Emil Hamilton (Richard Schiff). Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
General Zod in battle armor (Michael Shannon). Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Zod and his other soldiers land on earth complete with a special suit of armor. Understandably the atmosphere in Krypton is different and although the air on Earth survivable still takes some getting used to. Kal El arrived as an infant and is already acclimatized to our air. He’s also had a lifetime to master the superpowers that being on earth gives Kryptonians.
General Zod (Michael Shannon) struggles with using heat vision and other new powers on Earth. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Laurence Fishburne is Daily Planet Editor Perry White and Amy Adams is tough investigative reporter Lois Lane. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Faora Ul (Antje Traue) has breathing apparatus with suit / armor. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Faora Ul battled Kal El along with another figure in a suit but has a dark or covered faceplate. The look is reminiscent of an armor seen in IRON MAN 3. Was the figure an android? Was the suit a response to the popularity of a MARVEL franchise film? We’re not exactly sure but it really made for an explosive fight scene.
Faora Ul (Antje Traue) in Kryptonian battle armor. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Kal El (Henry Cavill) there are quite a few epic fight scenes versus OTHER Kryptonians. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s all action with no substance. Hardcore comic book fans will appreciate seeing planet Krypton’s, culture, science and motivations as a race is fully explored more than previous versions. Sci fi fans will be able to see how and advanced alien technology is visualized. For example interactive 3D technology is taken one-step further. Nano particles take the shape of what needs to be visualized as opposed to screens, like living sculptures.
Director Zack Snyder and Amy Adams who plays Lois Lane. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall
Christopher Meloni plays Colonel Nathan Hardy. He’s more known for HBO’s TRUE BLOOD and Law & Order: SVU. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
The film also explains why Zod is so obsessed with conquering earth and why Kal El is fighting for us. It helps us earthlings realize why we should take care of our planet; it’s the only one we’ve got.
Kal El (Henry Cavill) flies in Earth’s orbit, this film also has an environmental theme. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall
Kal El (Henry Cavill) is buried in a sea of skulls. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Kal El (Henry Cavill) is taken in by the U.S. Government. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Brace yourselves for action like never before in MAN OF STEEL. Catch MAN OF STEEL in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.
Passion and Judgment in Anna Karenina
Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) could not deny their burning desire. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
For My Angel, My Beloved, My Passion, My Delicate Rose,
Written by
Jude Bautista
Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): Are you glad to see me alone? Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley): This must stop. You make me feel as if I was guilty of something. Vronsky: What do you want me to do? Anna: I want you to go to Moscow and beg Kitty to forgive you. Vronsky: No that’s not what you want. Moscow? You can do better than that. Tonight I refused a posting to Tashkent. I can change my mind and you’ll never see me again. Anna: If you have any thought for me you will give me back my peace. Vronsky: I have no peace to give. There is no peace for us, in misery our greatest happiness.
ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
ANNA KARENINA starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law is currently exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Ruth Wilson (Princess Betsy Tverskoy) Center in blue. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
There have been many adaptations of Leo Tolstoy’s novel put to screen, radio, TV, stage and even opera. Vivien Leigh was cast in 1948. Jacqueline Bisset and the late Christopher Reeve were in a TV movie version in 1985. Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean were in the 1997 version. Yes Sean Bean, who is known as Boromir in LORD OF THE RINGS and the reluctant king Eddard Stark in HBO’s GAME OF THRONES.
Keira Knightley is ANNA KARENINA, exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Kelly Macdonald who plays Anna Karenina’s sister in law is also in another HBO hit BOARDWALK EMPIRE. In that role she’s the one who has an adulterous affair while being married to mobster Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi).
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) sees Keira Knightley (Anna) for the first time on the train. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The story of love, lust, scandal and societal judgment has fascinated audiences for decades. This version by director Joe Wright may be the most visually stunning among all of them. Recreating the grandeur of 19th century Russia was perhaps one of the big challenges in making the film. It has been nominated for 4 Oscars: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design and Costume. The British Academy Film awards (BAFTA) has already given ANNA KARENINA the Best Costume award (Jacqueline Durran) while nominating it in similar categories and Most Outstanding British film as well.
The Russian nobility had servants to help them dress. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Anna’s son Oskar Mcnamara (Serhoza) has a mural of ships in his bedroom. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The other categories that should’ve been added by award giving bodies were Best Direction and Best Editing. Wright was able to eloquently visualize the sensation of being in love especially in the extravagant ball scene.
The lavish ball where Keira Knightley (Anna) unintentionally upstaged Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Anna (Keira Knightley) couldn’t take her eyes off Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) but also did not want to be seen staring as she is already married to Karenin (Jude Law). She avoids his gaze turning away for a few seconds, when she looks back he’s gone. Suddenly she hears his voice behind her asking her to dance. The Waltz is hardly romantic with its formal movements, but the minimal physical contact and the person she was dancing with made it so thrilling. The hundreds of other pairs literally froze while Anna and the Count waltzed to the middle of the ballroom. Lights around them darkened and they were the only two people in the universe.
Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) are the only two people in the world when they dance the waltz. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
All the world’s a stage, Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) sits in her parlor. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Wright masterfully used a theater stage as a metaphor for his character’s lives. All the world is a stage, in this sense shows that society will eventually know of or judge people in a particular scene.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) on horseback. Even a horse race is shot in the theater. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Apart from Cinematography, Editing also enhanced the sets and detail that showed the decadence of Russian aristocracy. The camera would dolly into a scene with an elaborate golden wall divider in the background and cut where the background ends. A servant would close a black door also with ornate golden relief ending a particular scene. Everything is so smooth and well thought out; sometimes you hardly notice the change in location or ‘transition’ until you’re already there.
Keira Knightley (Anna) plays with her niece in an ornate playhouse. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Spellbinding fireworks during (Ruth Wilson) Princess Betsy’s soiree. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
ANNA KARENINA reveals much more than just the joy, pain and tragedies of love. While showing the decadence of the aristocracy it also deals with the disparity between classes and the prejudices that existed. There’s a personal evolution in the characters as the story goes along that people go through in real life.
Could their lust turn to love? ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) out grew her aristocratic upbringing to realize what was truly important in life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The film illustrates how stratified and segregated Russian society was in the 19th century. It was a violation of decorum to have gypsies or any other race to stay in the same roof as an aristocrat. Kostya Levin’s (Domhnall Gleeson) brother Nikolai (David Wilmot) had kept an Indian woman, Masha (Tannishtha Chatterjee) as a companion who was taking care of him through his grave illness.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) who has lived a life of privilege chose to serve David Wilmot (Nikolai) in his last days. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
The young, blonde, princess-like Kitty (Alicia Vikander) went into Nikolai’s room to give him a sponge bath and saw the Indian companion. Kostya apologized to Kitty for having her there and insisted that she leave. Instead Kitty gave a towel to Masha and asked her to wash Nikolai together.
Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) nurses David Wilmot (Nikolai) with Tannishtha Chatterjee (Masha). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Kitty had always been in the bosom of wealth and decadence, that frame of mind. Because of her own loss and pain, it made her grow as a person and learn what was truly important in life. Kostya is himself a landowner who worked with farmers. He had found peace in a simpler life that made him ask, “Is it living simply that I’m looking for?”
Although he is a landowner Domhnall Gleeson (Kostya Levin) was mocked by Russian nobility in Moscow for being too rural. He has found his peace in a simpler life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Jude Bautista Gallery 