This week our first Project Brief was due, which was a formulation of different criticisms about a singular text, and the significance of each criticism. The text I chose was Blue Is The Warmest Colour, as the controversy that surrounds the text; sexuality, internationalism, independence, would highlight the diversity of criticism in general. As the film’s nationality is French, I included both a French and American critique of the film in hope that the contrast in pieces would highlight the contradictions in cultures. Aware of the subjective nature of criticism itself, my PB1 attempted to investigate the nature of perspective and provoke audience relations to the critic.

As last week emphasised the importance of establishing an original personality as a critic, I decided this week to investigate some already existing personalities present within contemporary criticism. Fitting to discussions had in class about the relationship between producer and content, and how at times this relationship has a negative effect on the authenticity of a work, I was amazed at some of the content I found on high commercial platforms such as the New York Times.

Under the impression that such influential magazines would attempt to produce media that was contextually fitting to our age and its progression, the piece The Trouble with Blue is the Warmest Colour by Manohla Dargis. Initially when reading her criticism, I assumed due to the reductive language that the piece of written by a man. When finding out that the piece was written by a woman however, it made me guess by presumed misogony, however I reinstalled my initial belief of the piece as 50%+ of white women voted for Trump and feminism is still thought of as a dirty word. I thought this piece was interesting, and should be included as the female writer factor could have possibly been used as an effect for the NYT, as it pushes audience considerations of stereotypes and tropes.

Thus, PB1 and this week in general has been an interesting investigation into the nature of criticism and our interpretation and expectations of such as the audience. From class discussion, I am starting to think deeper about the relationships present behind each piece, using my detective skills to further define what it means to be a critic today.