Zoetrope

As we moved into our discussion on narrative, we confronted issues involved with where a film comes from and how films can tell a story.  We then ventured to space where we confronted Sam in Moon.

Narrative

cinema begins with the written word

• scripts
• adaptations – issues with adapting

actualities (no narrative form) to documentary and “story” films

narrative structure = story +plot

plot - sequencing of events

story – larger set of events (true chronological sequencing)

linear plot – chronological

classical narrative structures – viewer is aware of shaping of storyline, move towards resolution

• use of flashbacks

formalistic narrative – author is overly manipulative to maximize thematic idea

mixed up plot sequences – Pulp Fiction, Run Lola Run

narrator & narrative point of view

films have multiple authors – real vs. implied

narrative POV

• 1st person – voice over, POV shots
• 3rd person – either we know everything or some things are kept hidden

is typically a multiplexity of views rather than just a single viewpoint

alternatives

ambiguity of causality (open ended)

anti-narrative (going against any form of narrative sense)

And just to add to you thoughts, here is a breakdown of how Jean-Luc Godard presents counter cinema in Vent D’est.

• narrative transitivity vs. narrative intransitivity (one thing follows another vs. gaps & interruptions, episodic construction, undigested digression)
• identification vs. estrangement (empathy, emotional involvement with a character vs. direct address, multiple & divided characters, commentary)
• transparency vs. foregrounding (“Language wants to be overlooked” Siertsema vs. making mechanics of film/text visible & explicit)
• single diegesis vs. multiple diegesis (unitary homogeneous world vs. heterogeneous worlds – rupture between different codes & different channels)
• closure vs. aperture (self contained object, harmonized within its own bounds vs. open-endedness, overspill, intertextuality – allusion, quotation, & parody)
• pleasure vs. unpleasure (entertainment, aiming to satisfy the spectator vs. provocation, aiming to dissatisfy & hence change spectator)
• fiction vs. reality (actors wearing make-up, acting a story vs. real life, the breakdown of representation, truth)

We also watched Moon.  If you have any other observations or comments, please add to this post!  Did you like the film being open ended?  What about the ethics of cloning?