Exotica Exotica Atom Egoyan Trauma Obsession Repetition

Francis Francis: a man who treasures “memories”, tried his best to preserve them in any kind of possible form. After his suffering, he tried to maintain his good memory around him so that he repeated some behaviors just like before.(ritual) Francis: a man who treasures “memories”, tried his best to preserve them in any kind of possible form. After his suffering, he tried to maintain his good memory around him so that he repeated some behaviors just like before.(ritual) Photos & videos & automatic piano Photos & videos & automatic piano Francis’ trauma: Francis’ trauma: A. The two causes that made Francis ’ s home fell apart: A. The two causes that made Francis ’ s home fell apart: 1.His daughter ’ s being murdered 2.His wife ’ s betrayal-love affair with his brother clip1 B. Francis ’ obsession-repeated behaviors: B. Francis ’ obsession-repeated behaviors: Still can ’ t really accept the fact of his daughter ’ s death, and thus repeated these things, trying to get the “ good old time ” back; to maintain a father-daughter relationship alike the previous one. Still can ’ t really accept the fact of his daughter ’ s death, and thus repeated these things, trying to get the “ good old time ” back; to maintain a father-daughter relationship alike the previous one.

1. Went to Exotica to watch Christina ’ s dance 1. Went to Exotica to watch Christina ’ s dance Christina has shared a part of the memory with his daughter — his daughter ’ s babysitter(weep together) Christina has shared a part of the memory with his daughter — his daughter ’ s babysitter(weep together) Christina ’ s uniform is similar to his daughter ’ s Christina ’ s uniform is similar to his daughter ’ s 2. Hired Tracy to “ babysit ” at his house with no baby 2. Hired Tracy to “ babysit ” at his house with no baby Francis ’ s breakout? Francis ’ s breakout? A. Tried to touch Christina: Why? Seduced by Eric? Or what ’ s his intention? 1. First try:interrupted by Eric 1. First try:interrupted by Eric ---the pure father-daughter relationship being threatened ---the pure father-daughter relationship being threatened 2. Second try: asked Thomas to try again 2. Second try: asked Thomas to try again ---tolerated by Christina ---tolerated by Christina 3. Embrace with Eric clip 2 3. Embrace with Eric clip 2 B. The drive with Christina--- still in the obsession with his daughter, but Christina has to return her own “ home ” — Christina is however herself. — Christina is however herself. C. The image of home in Postmodern city clip3

Christina/Eric/Zoe Christina: 1. Eric ’ s ex-girlfriend Christina: 1. Eric ’ s ex-girlfriend 2. Used to be baby-sitter for Francis 2. Used to be baby-sitter for Francis 3. Francis ’ “ present daughter ” 3. Francis ’ “ present daughter ” 4. Strip dancer 4. Strip dancer A. Betrayal--- Eric ’ s contract with Zoe A. Betrayal--- Eric ’ s contract with Zoe B.Obsession--- (Loss of family love) needs to be cared and be protected B.Obsession--- (Loss of family love) needs to be cared and be protected C. Repetition--- Dancing for Francis C. Repetition--- Dancing for Francis D. Breakout--- (Thomas touches her) D. Breakout--- (Thomas touches her) E. Development--- Be able to protect herself E. Development--- Be able to protect herself Eric: 1. DJ in Exotica Eric: 1. DJ in Exotica 2. Ex-lover of Christina 2. Ex-lover of Christina A. Betrayal--- (Christina ’ s change) Innocence corrupts A. Betrayal--- (Christina ’ s change) Innocence corrupts B. Obsession--- Loss of his “ innocent girl ” ; protector; (Christina doesn ’ t need his protection any more) B. Obsession--- Loss of his “ innocent girl ” ; protector; (Christina doesn ’ t need his protection any more)

C. Repetition--- Call her “ a sassy bit of jailbait ” C. Repetition--- Call her “ a sassy bit of jailbait ” Stay in Exotica Stay in Exotica D. Breakout--- Hug with Francis D. Breakout--- Hug with Francis E. Development--- Face the fact (I found her; I lost her); Leave the job of DJ E. Development--- Face the fact (I found her; I lost her); Leave the job of DJ Zoe: 1. Hostess of Exotica Zoe: 1. Hostess of Exotica 2. Pregnant with Eric ’ s sperm 2. Pregnant with Eric ’ s sperm ⃟ Tradition ↔ Non-tradition (concepts of family) A. Betrayal--- mirror A. Betrayal--- mirror B. Obsession--- Keep mother-daughter relationship B. Obsession--- Keep mother-daughter relationship Relationship Relationship A. Christina and Eric---Love → (betrayal) → Obsession A. Christina and Eric---Love → (betrayal) → Obsession B. Eric and Zoe--- a. Lovers B. Eric and Zoe--- a. Lovers b. Friends clip4 b. Friends clip4 C. Zoe and Christina--- a. mother-and-daughter relationship clip5 C. Zoe and Christina--- a. mother-and-daughter relationship clip5 b. homosexual relationship--- one of the phenomena in the postmodern city b. homosexual relationship--- one of the phenomena in the postmodern city

Thomas Thomas — develop or not Thomas — develop or not A. a gay pet shop owner A. a gay pet shop owner B. shy B. shy C. doesn't know how to go about picking up men C. doesn't know how to go about picking up men ---communication problem ---communication problem D. buying seats for men as a way to have company — paying for his company is a way to fill his void soul D. buying seats for men as a way to have company — paying for his company is a way to fill his void soul E. being betrayed by the police E. being betrayed by the police F. goes to Exotica under Francis ’ threat F. goes to Exotica under Francis ’ threat — succeed in communicating with Christina — succeed in communicating with Christina Thomas and his pet shop — another Exotica Thomas and his pet shop — another Exotica A. color A. color B. Thomas ’ behavior B. Thomas ’ behavior Function — ties everything together and brings the ending Function — ties everything together and brings the ending

Symbolic Meanings Mirrors: Betrayal & Lie Mirrors: Betrayal & Lie The Pet Shop: Exotica The Pet Shop: Exotica The Green Field: conflicts in color, music Obtaining & losing at the same time The Green Field: conflicts in color, music Obtaining & losing at the same time Photos & Video: Irony, Imply the failure of keeping memory Photos & Video: Irony, Imply the failure of keeping memory Eggs, & Zoe ’ s pregnancy: “ You didn ’ t ask to …” (Francis) Eggs, & Zoe ’ s pregnancy: “ You didn ’ t ask to …” (Francis) “ Exotica ” : The word suits every character and thing in this film. “ Exotica ” : The word suits every character and thing in this film. Home in postmodern city: Tracey ’ s, Christina ’ s, Francis ’ s- --Which one is the real home? Home in postmodern city: Tracey ’ s, Christina ’ s, Francis ’ s- --Which one is the real home?