Tykwer's "Run Lola Run"

Red is the prominent color in this film. It is the color of Lola’s hair, the color of the telephone in her apartment, of the guy riding the bike, of a stop sign, of blood, and is also considered the color of love. The ambulance/truck she passes by while running is red, the second hand of the clock is red (it is a warning symbolizing that time is running out for her and Manni), the plastic shopping bags are red, and the name of store is highlighted in red letters. Also, her flashback occurred in a red filmed haze. 

She does so much for him, even though she believes he doesn’t really love her. When he asks her, ‘do you want to leave me?’ she replies that she doesn't know, and at the end of the 'first run' she decides she doesn’t want to leave.

Behind Manni, when he's in the phone booth, there is a revolving hypnotic spiral. 

The stairs Lola runs down are a seemingly endless spiraling circle. I believe this relates to the theme of 'the cyclical and the linear' and relates directly back to the quotes at the very beginning of the film.

The Knight with the Lion (Yvain) - Day Three

I believe the major themes of the story of Yvain are Love, Hate and Reputation. Most usually in Chretien's stories (from what I've seen so far), Chretien sets it up so that the love conflict is between a man and a woman (a "boy meets girl and falls in love" sort of thing). However, there is a section in Yvain's story that I find most interesting because it does not fit into this category. On page 358, the maiden seeks out Yvain and begs his help, telling him that if he does not help "then your reputation has betrayed her." She also goes on to say "You can truly rest assured that if you triumph in this cause you will have redeemed the landless girl's inheritance and added to your own glory." Yvain blindly agrees to her request, unknowing what is yet to come. He is unaware that the knight whom he will be up against is his best friend, Sir Gawain. And, because both knights wish to go unrecognized, they end up fighting each other. "Those who were to fight did not recognize each other at all, though they had always loved one another." (pg.370) This brings up all three themes I previously mentioned. Gawain and Yvain are best friends and truly love each other, yet at the same time they are mortal enemies and fight with great hatred, meeting in combat to protect and increase their own reputations and shame the other. As the narrator expresses, "...it is truly a miracle that love and mortal hatred can be found so close together!"(pg.370)

The Knight with the Lion (Yvain) - Day Two

1. Gawain's speech serves to gently reprimand Yvain, and convinces him to leave his wife and fight at tournaments. Basically, he decides that his reputation as a courageous and honorable knight is worth more than staying at his wife's side. Laudine agrees, adding one condition- Yvain must return within a year, or her love for him will turn to hatred. I personally would never agree to this. It's true that the ugliest hate is born from the deepest love, but one can't set a time limit on such matters.
This parallels Erec and Enide's story; by staying with Laidine, Yvain would become a victim of rumors and lose his reputation. Therefore, he would also lose his wife, according to Gawain, "Indeed, you would suffer afterwards for her love if it caused you to lose your reputation, because a woman will quickly withdraw her love if she finds herself hating a man who has lost face in any way..."
This is in contrast to Erec's story where the man rejects the woman. Here, Laudine rejects Yvain for failing to be a good enough man to keep his promise.
It seems to me, however, that Sir Gaawain is at fault for causing the strife in the later part of the story. It was Gawain's fault that Yvain left and, because he didn't return on time, for a time he lost both his love and his sanity.

The Knight with the Lion (Yvain) - Day One

2. I think Calogrenant's story is typical - 'boy meets girl.' Of course, it is a typical story for the Middle Ages.  The maiden is 'beautiful, tall and proper' and the knight immediately falls in love with her. It's also a story of a knight on a quest seeking adventure to test his strength and courage. He is given an impossible quest by the lord of the wild beasts, and although it is fraught with danger he seeks it anyway; or perhaps, because it is so dangerous. I believe he does so because he is desperate to prove himself a proper man- chivalrous, strong and brave. Something that strikes me as interesting is that in the beginning Calogrenant states, "...I do not speak of a dream, or a fable, or a lie..." (pg.227) However, his story is so incredible as to almost be considered a fantasy. There were certainly magical qualities included in this story, several examples being the tree that remains green all year round or the fact that a vicious storm could be summoned practically out of nowhere.

3. Yvain is a good character to do a character study on. He is possessed of several distinct qualities,which are like complete opposites; he is brave, yet also very cunning and impatient. Love is very important to Yvain, and he believes that by displaying chivalry he can win over the heart of his beloved. "The power comes from my heart, which commits itself to you;my heart has given me this desire."

Erec & Enide (Day 2)

1. The second part of the romance certainly belongs to Enide because she is in love with Erec as much as he is with her. She's fallen in love with his physical features as well as his personality; "The eyes, which channel love and send the message to the heart, renewed themselves with looking, for whatever they saw greatly pleased them. " Also, "the love between the two of them made the maiden more bold..."   Underneath a "wise and courtly and well-bred" attitude she harbors a very astute intelligence, as well as a boldness uncommon to the other women. Enide is a clever individual, especially for a woman. Women are meant to be trophies to the men; to look pretty, and that's all. However, this trait proves her atypical from most women in the Middle Ages. We first hear of her name on page 62, where it states "Enide was the name given her at baptism."

2. The reader hears Enide speak for the very first time. Her exact words are: "Wretch, unhappy me! Why did I come here from my land? The earth should truly swallow me up, since the very best of knights- the boldest and the bravest, the most loyal, the most courteous that was ever count of king- has completely abandoned all chivalry because of me. Now have I truly shamed him." (pg. 68)  I thought this was a strange thing for us to hear her say, especially since it's the very first thing we hear her say. It gave me a sense of foreboding, like the first hint that things aren't going so perfectly between them.  I'm not sure why she thinks she is shaming Erec; after all, she's perfect in practically every way. Maybe she feels guilty that Erec laid down arms because of her. But he did it because he loved her so much, and I feel that she should hurry up and realize it. She should be happy that they both have the time to spend with each other, rather than worry about his pride and what people are saying behind his back. Of course, Erec is concerned at hearing her speech. He wonders why she called him unfortunate. I think he doesn't even realize that his decision is causing his beloved such grief.

Erec & Enide

2. The paragraph that describes the opening scene in King Arthur's court starts off on a positive note by mentioning Easter. This holiday brings to mind images of festivity, merriment, and feelings of goodwill. I inferred from the text that Arthur is a loved and well-respected king; many people of great importance come to his court- knights, rich ladies and maidens, princesses. When Arthur announces his wish to bring back the tradition of the white stag, I feel that it symbolizes Arthur's greatness. However, this wish also introduces within the minds of the readers an inkling of doubt, particularly when Sir Gawain expresses his discomfort at the idea, stating "great evil can come from this." (pg. 37) Even if Arthur means well, I don't think the tale of Erec and Enide will end happily.  They will have to overcome great challenges, which are foreshadowed in the beginning of this story.

3. Erec and Enide are like Adam and Eve, created unique and perfect. As is stated in the text, "he was so handsome that there was no need to seek a man of finer looks anywhere," and "he was very handsome and valiant and noble." (pg. 38) As for Enide, "the maiden was very beautiful." In fact, "...never was such a beautiful creature seen in the whole world." (pg. 42) I believe the reason we are not told her name is because we're supposed to assume that the most beautiful woman can only possibly Enide.
To a certain extent,  everyone holds a certain fascination for their appearance. Humans gaze at their reflections in mirrors, are always trying to make themselves look prettier, more handsome, more desirable. Perhaps that is why when Erec gazed upon Enide he felt such longing; it was as is he were gazing at his own reflection. 
I can recall one figure from Greek mythology who was so obsessed with his mirror image. Narcissus; a hunter in Greek mythology. He was lured to a pool by Nemesis, saw his reflection and fell in love with it. Unable to leave, Narcissus died.