Film Review

Be able to review film productions

1.Review and critique a short film production

FILM REVIEW NOTES

Film Title, Director, Country, Year.

Learn: 1st world problems. Directed by Jonathan Desbians. Made in Canada in 2017.

Story outline (1 or 2 sentence summary)

A creative director overheard her staff dismissing her work as: too safe, and boring. Spurned on by a mix of jealousy, fear, and anger, she recreates her piece in an attempt to transcend fashion- even if the result is self-destructive.

What is the film trying to say/explore?

The film explores the psychology of the characters in their almost millennial-like attitudes to fame and recognition, whilst also illustrating the universalist pressure the artistic industry faces. Furthermore, it emphasises the self-centred nature of most artists, alongside an incisive examination into female relationships and it’s effects on the creative industry’s hierarchy.

Describe the genre (if fiction film), or style (if documentary).

Dark satire.

Narrative structure:

Set in the fashion industry, the plot begins with the dismissing of the creative director’s newest fashion piece by her staff as boring, and far too safe. The director, hearing their remarks, sets to work on her masterpiece which aims to be unrivalled in creativity and flair. However, since she is spurned on by jealousy, anger, and fear, she ultimately creates a piece which is self-destructive but also triumphant (she works in almost an oblivious state to the revolving world around her) . Silhouetted by the natural light from the window, she enters her crimson-red strings of mortality, sacrificing her life for the triumph of her art.

Use and suitability of sound:

Very much music-based, almost similar to a music video. The only quotidian sounds used were isolated (clicking heels), and dialogue- which was very much isolated too. The sounds and music created a very artistic feel which dramatised and complemented the emotional journey of the film.

Camera techniques:

A mix of using handheld and tripod based filming. Uses wide, medium, and close up shots. Very visual piece with vibrant or dark colours.

Editing Style:

Matching the genre of the film, lots of creative editing using montages, match cuts, and cutaway shots.

Setting, Location, Mise-en-scene

Set in fashion industry, in a factory where the female staff design the fashion pieces. Lots of natural light, and the blank walls emphasise the creativeness of the director. Also shot in a blank room filled with vibrant colours and drawings.

Who is the film aimed at? Would you recommend it?

I would definitely recommend it. I assume it’s aimed for young adults and older, since it explores dark and deep themes that correlate with the working life.

2. Review and discuss own choice of – British film production/World film production:

FILM REVIEW NOTES

Film Title, Director, Country, Year.

Life of Brian. Directed by Terry Jones, shot in Tunisia, and premiered in New York 1979.

Story outline (1 or 2 sentence summary)

The life of Brian of Nazareth, born on the same day as Jesus of Nazareth, whose takes a different path in life but eventually leads to the same conclusion. A Jew who joined an anti-Roman organisation, he is mistook for the messiah and thus becomes the reluctant prophet for the oppressed.

What is the film trying to say/explore?

The film’s view of blind faith is very much apposite even today, and attempts with satire and a blatantly British sense of humour to ask us all the question; why do we follow so and so? It seems also, to critique the ever-fractious nature of religious organisations. Personally, I think the closing song of ‘always look on the bright side of life’, seems to be a kind of ever-present resilience in face of adversity, much more so potent in our lives now.

Describe the genre (if fiction film), or style (if documentary).

Religious satire

Narrative structure:

Born in the next-door stable to Jesus, the babe Brian Cohen, mistook for Jesus by the three wise kings, eventually grows up to be an idealistic young man who joins the ‘People’s front of Judea’ as a result of his resentment of Roman occupation of Judea. After several misadventures, Brian ends up having to quote Jesus to escape guards, but thus unfortunately attracts the attention of the intrigued public. This unwanted attention transpired into a mass movement, resulting in Brian being arrested and scheduled for crucifixion. Attempting to quell the seemingly growing movements of a revolution, Pontius Pilate and Biggus Dickus gives a choice to the crowd of one person to be pardoned, which is Brian; ‘welease Brian’.

Unfortunately, plenty of prisoners impersonate Brian and the real one is left forsaken and to die. Hope is renewed when a suicide squad from the Judean People’s Front (a different organisation to the previous) comes charging at the Romans. However, it turns out to be a political demonstration whereby they all commit mass suicide in front of the crosses. The forsaken Brian’s spirit is only lifted by his fellow crucified sufferers, who break out into the song ‘always look on the bright side of life’.

Use and suitability of sound:

Lots of dialogue and contemporary sounds used. The story is very much based on the day to day life of Brian, so the main focus was on the dialogue, which are so funny it can’t even be considered blasphemous.

Camera techniques:

Not too sure; I believe there is a mix of handheld and tripod based filming, with panning almost as a feature of the film. There are, as always, CUs, wide, and medium shots. In contrast to Learn, this film, I think, is more interested in the dialogue as the focus of the storyline rather than visual footage.

Editing Style:

Establishing shots are used (e.g Sermon on the mount scene), L and J cuts are also used (I’m not too sure on that- my memory is slightly fuzzy). There are also cutaways shots, and a lot of match cuts.

Setting, Location, Mise-en-scene

Mainly filmed in Tunisia, Monastir, in a Ribat (fortified monastery). The city walls were filmed in Kabash, Sousse, and the rest of the scenes were filmed in both Carthage in Matmata. Mainly dusty backgrounds, the result of the sandy environment of Tunisia.

Who is the film aimed at? Would you recommend it?

Everyone of all ages and background (apart from those who might get offended by its religious satire- it has a notorious reputation anyway). I believe the film asks of all of us; are we blindly following someone with no thoughts of our own?