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| Forums > Film-making > kudos with an icing of constructive criticism |
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synthaesthia
at 23:39, 3 Aug 2005
Posts: 0
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kudos with an icing of constructive criticism
Greetings sally, I am a lover of the power of film and you have done a fine and masterful job of this one by weaving a strong and wide message through so many clever layers of the piece, the maids, the framing, the dialouge, etc, but as life is just a measure of the current moment I was left feeling empty of your ending shot of the maid. My question is what was your purpose in that. I felt there shouldve been a stronger image, say the cells dividing/dying or some other image that defines and echoes the film's strong messsage. I like how you would frame things in the foreground, glasses, waiters, etc that supported the dialouge when He/She were talking about broad subjects relating to cause and effect. Bravo
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sally potter
at 00:55, 4 Aug 2005
Posts: 193
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ICING
thank you ... there was a version which ended with cells dividing, but the reason the cleaner has the last word (and the first) is that she has both the micro and macro view of the story, or rather, of the existential questions which lie behind it. As she says, 'no does not exist, there's only yes' .
plus, i love the way she looks at us at the end. it is a kind of reconciliation with us as witnesses of her existence as well as of the lives of our lovers.
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synthaesthia
at 01:01, 4 Aug 2005
Posts: 0
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much more clearer, but still my last critism/query is nearer
thats makes more sense, like bookends, a classic filmmaking trick (12 Monkeys is the best example that pops to mind). I did have one more question/critism. I like how you infused didatic rhyming into the dialouge, it greatly adds to the magical, sort of dreamy aesthic tinging everything else. Why did you choose to do this? There were a few times when the rhyming was overboard and it was mildly distracting, but other than that it was very musical
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sally potter
at 02:57, 4 Aug 2005
Posts: 193
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reply
I try not to use 'tricks'. For me, the formal shape of a film is interdependent with its deeper meanings.
as for rhyme : it is a kind of music, as you say. the way words sound as well as what they mean is part of the playful miracle of language. this is one of the reasons why verse is one of the oldest dramatic and literary forms as well as the very youngest...the song form, including rap, works with the pulse of rhyme.
to occasionally become aware of a form while you are watching or reading it (which you say is sometimes 'distracting') is also, of course, part of a tradition from greek tragedy onwards...the chorus spoke directly to the audience, breaking the 'fourth wall' and Brecht took this a stage further by working with what he called 'alienation', so that the audience were given an opportunity to reflect on how the mechanics of what was unfolding might also be shaping their perception of it. it is all about creating space for the audience to form their own view, as you have.
i could happily continue with this discussion , but I have grabbed a few moments here to write to you and must now RUN to be interviewed live on BBC london.
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dontwarnthefrog
at 11:06, 6 Aug 2005
Posts: 1
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amazing
this is one of the most profound and amazing movies i have ever experienced. as an avid filmgoer, it is just an awe-inspiring thing to see something so different that connects on so many levels. this, accompanied with my unabashed love for joan allen, made it a life changing experience. i wish you nothing but luck and many awards with this film, if not the changing of people's lives.
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