絕代寵妓 A Destiny of Her Own
Have you ever imagined a life full of lectures about the proper manners of being a lady? A life with no entertainment but needle work and chores? A life with limited right to go out alone or date anyone? No bargains, no alternatives--this is the life of a Venetian young maiden. We might think this is the fate of all women who were not born in our age, yet there is a certain group of women, though despised by others, who seized the right to enjoy life and sex, to dance in the city of dreams, to be proud and pretty. They live for love, lust and beauty; pleasure is their only duty. They are the courtesans.
The movie, A Destiny of Her Own (Dangerous Beauty), portrays the life of the most famous courtesan and poetess, Veronica Franco; a beautiful young girl who lived in a poor family. She couldn't marry her lover because marriage at that time was a contract based on status and family will. In order to support her family financially, her mother asked her to become a courtesan. She resisted at first, then she realized that the courtesans were educated women, who could dress beautifully and show their beauty, who could enjoy rich suitors' pursuit and even participate in discussions of important political issues. Courtesans have the right to choose the man to spend the night with and benefit from him. They earn their living in a graceful way. Since a woman could only choose to be a wife, a nun, or a prostitute, Veronica chose to live freely. She became the top courtesan of Venice and again, by flirting and playing the game of love, she won her lover back.
But when plague invaded the city of gold, the courtesans were used as scapegoats and were accused of using witchcraft. Suddenly, no more beauty and grace, the courtesans faded in their blood and tears; they were burned and hanged. God did not show His mercy upon his children. Veronica made her confession in the inquisition, defending herself, but this time, could she save herself from her destiny? Would those lovers save her from cruelty? And most importantly, could she prove that she has done no wrong but earn a living by women's natural instinct?
The film was set in sixteen-century Venice, but the story itself draws attention to women's right to enjoy sex and life. In our time when people are focusing on the privacy of female politicians, a time that allows no women to use their sexual identity to make a living, the age of glowing gondolas floating on canals with topless beauties proudly exposing their bodies and drinking in the cheer and adore of men will be the age we should remember. It reminds us that four hundred years ago those women have already learned to choose the destiny of their own with their delicate hands.
Have you ever imagined a life full of lectures about the proper manners of being a lady? A life with no entertainment but needle work and chores? A life with limited right to go out alone or date anyone? No bargains, no alternatives--this is the life of a Venetian young maiden. We might think this is the fate of all women who were not born in our age, yet there is a certain group of women, though despised by others, who seized the right to enjoy life and sex, to dance in the city of dreams, to be proud and pretty. They live for love, lust and beauty; pleasure is their only duty. They are the courtesans.The movie, A Destiny of Her Own (Dangerous Beauty), portrays the life of the most famous courtesan and poetess, Veronica Franco; a beautiful young girl who lived in a poor family. She couldn't marry her lover because marriage at that time was a contract based on status and family will. In order to support her family financially, her mother asked her to become a courtesan. She resisted at first, then she realized that the courtesans were educated women, who could dress beautifully and show their beauty, who could enjoy rich suitors' pursuit and even participate in discussions of important political issues. Courtesans have the right to choose the man to spend the night with and benefit from him. They earn their living in a graceful way. Since a woman could only choose to be a wife, a nun, or a prostitute, Veronica chose to live freely. She became the top courtesan of Venice and again, by flirting and playing the game of love, she won her lover back.
But when plague invaded the city of gold, the courtesans were used as scapegoats and were accused of using witchcraft. Suddenly, no more beauty and grace, the courtesans faded in their blood and tears; they were burned and hanged. God did not show His mercy upon his children. Veronica made her confession in the inquisition, defending herself, but this time, could she save herself from her destiny? Would those lovers save her from cruelty? And most importantly, could she prove that she has done no wrong but earn a living by women's natural instinct?The film was set in sixteen-century Venice, but the story itself draws attention to women's right to enjoy sex and life. In our time when people are focusing on the privacy of female politicians, a time that allows no women to use their sexual identity to make a living, the age of glowing gondolas floating on canals with topless beauties proudly exposing their bodies and drinking in the cheer and adore of men will be the age we should remember. It reminds us that four hundred years ago those women have already learned to choose the destiny of their own with their delicate hands.