Takeshi pics in "Lovers" press conference, Japan

[Webmaster]

[Dilbar]

Why does Japan call it Lovers instead of House of Flying Daggers? Why get us all confused?

[bnnoisel]

Japanese titled it "Lovers," after the theme song of the movie titled "Lovers" sung by Kathleen Battle.

After having seen the movie, I think it's a more appropriate title, as the focus was on the tragic love story, versus the theme of the House of Flying Daggers.

[Webmaster]

WORD UP

I think the name "Lovers" is more appropriate for the movie too. "House of Flying Daggers"... it isn't even what the original Chinese title means.

Literally it means "ambush from 10 directions"

Now the only problem is that too many movies have been named "Lover(s)"

[smile]

Wow, TK looks really good!!

[MissCarlos]

The French translation is "Le Secret des Poignards Volant", "The Secret of Flying Daggers". The literal French translation of "House of Flying Daggers" would be "La Maison des Poignards Volant".

That's not true, Veronica. That's just your perspective. Other Americans may think that "House of Flying Daggers" is a cool name as well as "Lovers". It's the same title up here in Canada in English. "Lovers" makes sense as that's what they become.

[jadedragon]

Veronica said:

wow, he looks AMAZING in those photos.

let me give you an american perspective that might help understand why the titles are used as they are for the american releases. see, americans think those titles are COOL. to us, a name like "house of flying daggers" is waaaaaaaaay more cool than "lovers". it really is a cultural thing. my good chinese friend was the one who first told me the title is actually "ambush on 10 sides" and she explained that even THAT is not the literal translation: she explained further than "ambush on 10 sides" is an expression that means that you are TRAPPED. the expression "10 sides" really means "all sides", so if you are caught in an "ambush on all sides" then basically...as we say in english, "you're screwed". so even though the title "house of flying daggers" has absolutely nothing to do with the *actual* title, it's still cool to us in the states. same with "crouching tiger, hidden dragon". to us in america titles like that exemplify a certain cultural context about asian cinema. maybe it all comes down to our own western perception about asian film, but it is certainly not meant to be a disrespect and we certainly aren't stupid. those titles just have more DRAMATIC EFFECT for us. in fact, when 'hero' came out people were like "hero? oh, is that anything i want to see?" it was kind of unusual because the title had no dramatic effect! but it's a great movie. the title 'hero' alone doesn't peak the interest of an american movie-goer.

i do like knowing the translation of the original titles, though. had my friend not told me i would have just assumed "house of flying daggers" WAS the title translated into english. does anyone know what the literal title of 'crouching tiger, hidden dragon' is or 'hero'?

I totally agree with you Veronica . The titles are 'enhanced' or 'romanticized' for the American audience. It gives the movie a mysterious foreign air--to appeal to those of us Americans that love going to see Asian films. As far as I know regarding the title Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon--it personifies the character traits of two of the protagonists in the movies--namely--the roles played by Chow Yun Fat and Zhang Zhiyi.

[zach]

mann i love those picture!

[lilycat]

Takeshi should smile all of the time! It makes me melt into a big pile of happiness!!

[leesa]

yes i think that lovers is a good title but then it distracts evreyone of the whole plot of the story its not just about lovers its about the "gang" of the house of flying daggers and there is a love story intertwined with that
well evreyone try abd stay out the heat and have a good day