Film/TV2: Analysis/Reflection 4: Q3

“From a distant gaze …” (1964) directed by Jean Ravel, picture Pierre Lhomme & Chris Marker, words by Louis Aragon, narrated by Jean Negroni, music by Michel Legrand. Describe a few things that intrigue you – it might be shot construction, camera work, editing, overall structure, thematic concerns etc. Describe the camera work and why you think it has been shot that way.

This film, for me, is an amazing spectacle of observational cinema. It offers a wide spectrum of people with different style, age, and occupation. I like how the frame is constantly filled with an object, be it people or inanimate objects. As suggested by the title, I enjoy how the camera acts as an observer. We have a tendency to look and observe, the behaviour of other people and our surroundings. It really puts me into perspective and it is as if I am really there. The usage of cars passing by as transitions work really well, it is as if you are standing on the opposite side of the street, and the moment you lose sight of the subject, you lose interest.