Tuesday, February 23, 2010
La Jetee (Last Minute)
Although most of my feelings seem to be redundant on this board I'll try anyway. As a whole this film was nothing spectacular, but in its method of telling was both unique and dedicated to detail. Each image used needed to convey the same amount of information and emotion as a moving shot does. This left little room for frivolous shots to make the cut. The other part that is interesting is the very different approach to the main character. Although the main character is never directly characterized in any way (that I see,) you begin to feel from his perspective. I find that this exploits our desire to relate to the protagonist in a very effective way. We see the men looming over us, and we feel the wonder that this woman represents. She is the very embodiement of moving life to us. All in all, this was an interesting take on film-making, but nothing i feel the need to reexamine.
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Why redundant? I don't see a lot of the same points being made outside of the usual first starts...
ReplyDeleteYour points about la Jetee's economic style are well taken. They're interesting to reflect on because they demonstrate the basics, the bones of not only filmmaking, but story telling. From this perspective you can start to ask about the necessity or effect of the "inessentials."
You are right that the film exploits very traditional methods of identification, however it does so in a situation that also runs counter to some of the most familiar forms of character construction as well.
I'm wondering about the meaning of your last sentence. I'm not sure I follow.
I'm wondering about the meaning of your last sentence. I'm not sure I follow.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the largest impact a film like this has is based on it's method. That makes a first viewing extremely entertaining, but I suspect would gradually fade with further viewing. The same I found true to be Momento several years ago, which is why I'm curious to rewatch that piece.
I wonder if its still the shock of the unfamiliar that makes its read "gimmick" to you? I'm certainly not alone in having seen la Jetee upwards of a hundred times :)
ReplyDeleteBut your comment deserves further exploration as it can lead you to begin to uncover the assumptions that structure your reading practices. More on this later.