Russian and Soviet Cinema - Assignment Example

Film: Bed and Sofa Director: Abram Room Year: 1927 Discuss the types and range of motage editing techniques used in the film The movie Bed and Sofa had used a popular editing technique which was used in the Soviet films during the era of 1920’s. The film used a variety of montage editing which helped in establishing a feel of Menage a trois. The montage editing involved a series of shots which were edited to form a sequence of actions and showed the progress of the movie. In the movie the technique was used to depict the series of events which was occurring in the life of Kolia, one of the characters in the movie. Different scenes with intermittent display of dialogues and footages are knit together like a collage into a story. Special use of montage editing was also found in the intimate scenes between Liuda and Volodia and in the scenes where Liuda goes for the abortion. Discuss the types and range shots and Camera angles used in film: The camera angles used in the movie was mostly static though we can find some traces of wide angled shots. Various close shots were incorporated in the movie to highlight the expression of the principal characters in the movie. Wide angled shots were also incorporated to provide a view of the city. The movie also has a wonderful use of the full circle progression which perfectly suits the purpose. What Composition or arrangements of people, props, and scenery did you notice? The arrangement of the people and the overall composition of the film were satisfactory. Especially in the depiction of the character of the protagonist, the overall arrangement of the shots was done carefully so that the meaning of the sequence can be portrayed efficiently. Special focus was provided to depict the economic condition of the three central characters in the story. The director used a small room in the movie and creates a mis –en –scene for great purpose which was full of richness. The characters in the movie were never in a position of striking a pose inside the room and whenever such instances were noticed it portrayed a deep subconscious meaning. Discuss what these contributed to plot, Theme, character development: Bed and Sofa aimed at depicting the realities of the people belonging to the working section of Moscow and also identified the sexual relationship between the three characters in the movie. Thus the use of a single room and the ambience created in the room to depict the poverty in the life of the characters and the confinement which was thoroughly felt by the female character in the movie . Where was lighting or use of Color most effective in this film? The film was shot in black and white which failed to portray few of the emotions associated with the protagonist in an effective way. What would you say characterized the sets or environment created for this film? The sets or environment characterized the level of poverty which existed in the lives of the working class people based in Moscow Discuss the use of costumes and make up in this film Much stress was provided in the choice over correct costume to depict the poverty associated in the life of the two men and the women who managed to survive in a single room. So use of much lavish make up was not seen as the director aimed to provide a hard core look of reality. Discuss the use of sound in the film: The absence of sound in the movie often makes it boring for the viewers. What were the most effective motifs, shapes, images, symbols in the film? The symbolism used in the movie is that of “Menage a trois” which means that three individuals having sexual relationship occupies a same household. What did you think of the Acting? The role played by the three characters was equally enthralling and was successful in creating a special impression in the minds of the viewers. The actors changed their gesture and facial expressions for depicting their emotions throughout the movie How was the Narrative structured for the film? The story telling capability in the movie was well structured with a brilliant script and clearly depicted the sexual relationship which existed between them. (Bed and Sofa. Dir. Abram Room . Perf. Nikolai Batalov, 1927) Reference: Bed and Sofa. Dir. Abram Room. Perf. Nikolai Batalov, 1927) Film: Ivan the terrible – Part 1 Director: Sergei Eisenstein Year: 1944 Discuss the types and range of motage editing techniques used in the film The director, Sergei Eisenstein used a variety of montage editing in the movie. The director used motif for formalism in editing with montage. Instance of montage editing can be found in the movie in the scene where the director incorporates the shot of the eye. The super imposition of the eye of the character was done with the help of the montage technique. Discuss the types and range shots and Camera angles used in film: The camera angles used in the movie was mostly static though we can find some traces of wide angled shots. Various close shots were incorporated in the movie to highlight the expression of the principal characters in the movie. What Composition or arrangements of people, props, and scenery did you notice? The director of the movie provided much focus on the arrangement of people in narrating the story. The story was aimed at depicting the life story of Ivan and the battle which he fights for saving his kingdom. Special focus has been provided to create an ambience which relates to the 16th century. Discuss what these contributed to plot, Theme, character development: The composition and the arrangement helped in providing a realistic feel to the movie and helped to underline the theme of the movie. Where was lighting or use of Color most effective in this film? The first part of the movie was shot in black and white. What would you say characterized the sets or environment created for this film? The sets or environment characterized the kingdom of monarchy which existed in Russia during the period of 1530-1584. Discuss the use of costumes and make up in this film Much stress was provided in the choice over correct costume to provide a look of a monarch to the protagonist in the movie. The costumes and make up were also effectively used in the battle scenes. Discuss the use of sound in the film: The sound mix incorporated in the movie was mono and the usage of sound was done cleverly all throughout the movie and also created significant impact on the viewers mind. What were the most effective motifs, shapes, images, symbols in the film? Certain symbols were constantly used in the movie among which the most significant is that of the eye which refers to the truth. Other symbols include the icons which represented the Russian Orthodox Church. Shadows were also used to explain the power and control What did you think of the Acting? The role played by Nikolai Cherkasov as Ivan the terrible was praise worthy and he contributed his best in depiction of the character. How was the Narrative structured for the film? The story telling capability in the movie was well structured with a brilliant script and clearly depicted the series of incidents which actually occurred in the life of Ivan the terrible. (Ivan the terrible – Part 1, Dir.Sergei Eisenstein. Perf. Nikolai Cherkasov, 1944) Reference: Ivan the terrible – Part 1, Dir.Sergei Eisenstein. Perf. Nikolai Cherkasov, 1944 Film: Cranes are flying Director: Mikhail Kalatozov Year: 1957 Discuss the types and range of montage editing techniques used in the film Montage editing techniques are used in the movie which includes the rape scene of Veronica where the director edited the air raid scene to depict the onslaught of war and also portrayed the expression of the Veronica’s inner state of mind. Discuss the types and range shots and Camera angles used in film: The director in the movie used a wide range of shots and camera angle. Low angled shots have been used to depict the craze in the face of Mark, another character in the movie, during the killing sequence of Boris is elongated by striking point of view which incorporated a zoom out from the moon and low angled spiral camera movement of the tree tops. Such brilliance of camera work was seen all through the movie. What Composition or arrangements of people, props, and scenery did you notice? Special consideration was made in the arrangement of people. Towards the end of the movie, we can see Veronica searching for her husband among the Victory Day Crowd and when she realizes that her husband is dead she is found to walk with tears of sorrow in her eyes across the uniting couples who had tears of joy in their eyes . Discuss what these contributed to plot, Theme, character development: All the editing techniques used in the movie helped in the development of theme of providing romanticized views of war propagated through the help of socialist realism and the depiction of love relationship. Where was lighting or use of Color most effective in this film? The film was shot in black and white What would you say characterized the sets or environment created for this film? The sets or environment in the movie were built in a fashion which helped in the depiction of the Second World War and at the same time helped in depicting the life of Veronica. Discuss the use of costumes and make up in this film Special focus was provided in the makeup of the female character to match her emotions and the sequence of events which is depicted in the movie to provide a real feeling to it. Discuss the use of sound in the film: The use of sounds can be seen from the very beginning of the movie as the sound of cranes were used in the first shot along with frenzied sound mix of air raid sirens and a piano concerto to provide the feel of a war. What were the most effective motifs, shapes, images, symbols in the film? The symbolism used in the movie is that of survival which is depicted through the character of Veronika, who faces distress in every form of her life but at the end is found to continue with her life with a new hope. What did you think of the Acting? The role played by Tatiana Samoiliva as the character of Veronika received an all round appreciation and her performance was enthralling in the movie. The story revolved around the character of Veronika and her performance created a strong impression on the minds of the viewers. How was the Narrative structured for the film? The story telling capability in the movie was well structured with a brilliant script which was successful in depicting the socialist realism with hardcore reality. (Cranes are flying, Dir. Mikhail Kalatozov, Perf. Tatiana Samoiliva, 1957) Reference: Cranes are flying, DirMikhail Kalatozov, Perf. Tatiana Samoiliva, 1957 Read More