Genre
Within this segment I will be critically analysing genre within my three research films. I will define genre and exemplify it through the sub-classification of poetic realism. I will then define the term auteur and explain its relevance to Tarkovsky. I will then delve into the thematic and technical characteristics of Tarkovsky's films. I will end by discussing whether the film conforms or deviates from the genre.
Genre is a classification of artistic endeavour, having particular conventions that illustrate certain specification enabling an attachement to a category. In the case of my film, it comes under the genre of poetic realism. Poetic realism derived from a film movement that occurred in France during the 1930s. The typical conventions of poetic realism include; stylised, studio bound, utilising a narrative that involves the protagonist having a life of disappointment, receiving one last chance to change through love, then concluding in disillusionment or death. The protagonist is also portrayed as an outcast against society, supporting the minority. One of the main forerunners of this particular genre, is Jean Gremillon who directed 'Le Petite Lise'. |
An 'auteur' defines as a filmaker whose individual style and complete dominance over all elements give a film its personal and unique essence.
Auteur theory expresses that each film illustrates the director's personal creative intentions and ideas. The theory arose in France in the late 1940s. Although the film would have major influence from the producing institution, the director's voiced concepts should still be clear to the audience. The theory is ustilised as a justification for directors' idiosyncratic and intensely personal films. |
'Ivan's Childhood'
October 2012
Andrei Tarkovsky would be considered to be an auteur himself. Specifically referencing 'Ivan's Childhood', Tarkovsky utilises the human memory as a way of presenting his ideas as it cannot be challenged as incorrect. Having the film clearly from one point of view allows the director's voice to be expressed as it is purely subjective.
Andrei Tarkovsky made seven films in his time, all of which explored what it means to be human. His films were made up of extremely long takes, metaphysical themes, and memorable images. There were also many reoccurring themes such as, dreams, memories, childhood, rain indoors and reflections. Tarkovsky states that in his opinion, moving camera shots are montage.
One personnel characteristic of Tarkovsky's film is that he frequently works with the same cinematographer, Vadim Yusov. Thus making he films more identifiable.
The film, 'Ivan's Childhood', by Andrei Tarkovsky, is in the genre of poetic realism. However, it does not follow all the conventions of poetic realism. Firstly, it ends in a memory, and not Ivan's death, although it does finish on the audience seeing a dead tree. On the other hand, it co-operates with with the genre, with the protagonist having a life of disappointment and being an outcast.
Andrei Tarkovsky made seven films in his time, all of which explored what it means to be human. His films were made up of extremely long takes, metaphysical themes, and memorable images. There were also many reoccurring themes such as, dreams, memories, childhood, rain indoors and reflections. Tarkovsky states that in his opinion, moving camera shots are montage.
One personnel characteristic of Tarkovsky's film is that he frequently works with the same cinematographer, Vadim Yusov. Thus making he films more identifiable.
The film, 'Ivan's Childhood', by Andrei Tarkovsky, is in the genre of poetic realism. However, it does not follow all the conventions of poetic realism. Firstly, it ends in a memory, and not Ivan's death, although it does finish on the audience seeing a dead tree. On the other hand, it co-operates with with the genre, with the protagonist having a life of disappointment and being an outcast.
This clip from the film 'Ivan's Childhood' clearly portrays how the film follows the genre of poetic realism. It is the last scene from the film and it returns to a similar state as the beginning. This part in particular represents the genre as it confirms that the protagonist has died and that this is simply a memory. The last section of the extract presents Ivan running along the beach, suggesting that the character has is in search for something and confirms that his life has been disappointing.
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'
November 2012
The genre of the film, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', is romantic science fiction. The combination of a romantic genre and a science fiction genre establishes a different view point in the film. While it is following the romantic relationship between Joel and Clementine, it is viewing it from Joel's memories.
Michel Gondry would be considered an auteur. Gondry gained his auteur status from other videos and films, there is a recurring theme of nature that applies to them all. He also evokes a sense of unknown and explores things that are partially out of this world, for example in the film, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', there is an exploration in to eliminating parts of memory through scientific technology. Similarly to Tarkovsky, Gondry places the film from one point of view, allowing his opinions as the director to be expressed.
Again like Tarkovsky, Gondry commonly worked with the same cinematographer, Ellen Kuras. This repeats the sense of style most of his films entail.
Combining two genres, there are conventions utilised from both. While the cinematography and mise-en-scene generally reinstates the romantic side of the film, the narrative emphasises the science fiction aspect of it. On the other hand, both genres suffer as the film does not dominate in one genre, meaning not all conventions are met. However, overall, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' can also categorise under the genre of poetic realism, from the protagonists' lives of disappointments and both given one last chance at love. It also ends with both Clementine and Joel being in a state of disillusionment as they finally discover how long they have known each other.
Michel Gondry would be considered an auteur. Gondry gained his auteur status from other videos and films, there is a recurring theme of nature that applies to them all. He also evokes a sense of unknown and explores things that are partially out of this world, for example in the film, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', there is an exploration in to eliminating parts of memory through scientific technology. Similarly to Tarkovsky, Gondry places the film from one point of view, allowing his opinions as the director to be expressed.
Again like Tarkovsky, Gondry commonly worked with the same cinematographer, Ellen Kuras. This repeats the sense of style most of his films entail.
Combining two genres, there are conventions utilised from both. While the cinematography and mise-en-scene generally reinstates the romantic side of the film, the narrative emphasises the science fiction aspect of it. On the other hand, both genres suffer as the film does not dominate in one genre, meaning not all conventions are met. However, overall, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' can also categorise under the genre of poetic realism, from the protagonists' lives of disappointments and both given one last chance at love. It also ends with both Clementine and Joel being in a state of disillusionment as they finally discover how long they have known each other.
This extract from Gondry's 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' presents the genre poetic realism as the protagonist Joel is striving after one last chance at love. He is about to enter a state of disillusionment and he is trying to recover from a life of disappointments.
'Memory'
January 2013
The short film, 'Memory' by Andrei Tarkovsky falls under the genre of poetic realism. Much like 'Ivan's Childhood' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'Memory' does not consist of all poetic realism conventions. While the cinematic and editorial style reflects the genre, there are no characters for the audience to identify with and therefore the narrative slightly deviates.
The short film, 'Memory' by Tarkovsky is primarily edited into long takes to allow the audience to appreciate the destruction of 'The Zone'. This conforms to the conventions of poetic realism. As well, the music alludes to a sense of enigma which is a common narrative feature of the genre.
My Film, 'Minnie'
From my choice of narrative, ideology and representation for my own five-minute film, my film will come under the genre of poetic realism. I hope to portray how the character has experienced disappointments and is given one last chance. My aim is to illustrate how the character has lived (or is now living) on the margins of society by placing her in an unknown environment and isolating her from everything and everyone else.