I still have to write a post concerning the painter Gauguin and maybe Black Orpheus while I am at it. I found out that I really enjoy puzzles, and boy will I be on the look out for some quality puzzles. I also got a few things in the mail that I have to sort through. Needless to say, I will have to create a post when I have more time.
To summarize, the film has very little dialogue, no music, and not much that could be considered plot. Instead, the film utilizes a pattern of a long take (usually someone walking), someone being shot, and then another long shot focusing on the victim. I cannot say that I was necessarily the intended audience but it still had a really powerful effect.
I think the use of contrast is a really neat component of the film. The audio (and the action to some degree) is arranged in such a way that it is quiet before and after the shot, emphasizing the shot itself.
The relatively short time of the murder is put up against the long time spent watching the people. It is really ghastly. One builds a relationship with the characters as humans, even though nothing is said or told about them. I feel like comparing it to Caural’s “Nonart”, which works in a similar way of patterning and emphasis. Elephant was well done, and I would recommend it (although it is a bit somber, so you would have to be in the mood for that kind of thing…if there is such a mood)
