Watch: La Jette (1962) or The Witch (2015)

Now you will be given the choice to watch either the 1962 film La Jetee or the 2015 film The Witch to illustrate some of Bazin’s theories. You are only required to watch one film, but you may watch both if you like. 

VideoWatch: La Jetee Links to an external site.(1962) (28min) or The Witch Links to an external site. (2015) (1 hr 32 min) 

I am hoping that these films introduce the subjective concept of reality to you while you watch. While filmmakers can use realist approaches to time and framing to portray a sense of  "objectivity" or "authenticity," remember that these can be filtered through the subjective perspective of a filmmaker's choice of cinematic technique.

I am interested in your thoughts on this concept in this week's discussion and in the coming weeks, when we consider point of view more closely. 

 

Still from La Jetee from Film-Grab Links to an external site.

 

La Jetee, directed by French Filmmaker Chris Marker, inspired Terry Gillam’s film 12 Monkeys and is a science-fiction film about a man forced to explore his past memories in the wake of World War III’s nuclear devastation. There are also some time travel elements in the film that are incredibly unique.The film is well-known for its near-total use of still images.

Watch ThisWhile Watching....

While watching the film, consider these questions to guide your viewing experience: 

  • How does La Jetee utilize Bazin’s theories of the Mummy Complex?
  • What are some cinematic techniques that Chris Marker uses to convey a sense of reality in the film?
  • How does this film relate to Bazin’s “Ontology of the Photographic Image?” or how does it contrast to the theoretical article?
  • What are some moments in the film that portray time objectively? How does the main character’s subjective perspective enter the film?

You can view La Jetee at the link above or here:

https://ucf.kanopy.com/video/la-jetee Links to an external site.

 

If you would rather watch a contemporary approach to realism, you may instead view the 2015 Robert Eggers horror film The Witch. 

Still from The Witch from Film-grab Links to an external site.

 

The film follows a puritan family living in 1630s New England that is cast out of a colony and forced to live in the wilderness just outside civilization. As time elapses in the frigid winter landscape, the family falls prey to fears of witchcraft and sorcery. 

Watch ThisWhile Watching...

While watching, consider these guiding questions: 

  • What are some cinematic techniques that Robert Eggers uses to convey a sense of reality in the film? How are realist aesthetics used to generate tension? 
  • How does this film relate to Bazin’s “Ontology of the Photographic Image?” or how does it contrast the theoretical article?
  • Are there moments in the film that portray time objectively? Or, is this guided by a character’s subjective perspective?

You can view The Witch at the link at the top of the page or here: https://digitalcampus-swankmp-net.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/ucf298355/watch/CBDC6ACC5A5BF913?referrer=direct Links to an external site.

 

Continue on to complete a discussion linking the film you watched to ideas from "The Ontology of the Photographic Image." 

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