ELBISREVERRI: A reaction on Irreversible

Honestly, the film Irreversible is very disturbing to me. There were scenes that include violence, sex, and rape. Ar first, I was confused with the movie because the story is unclear to me. Until I realized in the middle of the film showing that the story is reversed, they showed the ending of the show first. It amazes me that the title of the film corresponds to the way the film was edited, it is indeed, irreversible. Although, I felt kinda dizzy while watching the film because of the camera movements.

The story revolves how Alex, the main female lead, was raped in the tunnel while she is about to cross the other side of the street. It was disturbing for me because the rape scene was shocking and horrifying. It moved my feelings as a female. I pity Alex in that situation because she was utterly helpless and deeply sexually abused. Even more intolerable is the scene where a man saw the raping scene and just did nothing.

There was also the murder scene which I did not dare to look because of it's bloody death elements. One can not imagine how a man would die because of a fire extinguisher.  Though it tries to achieve the feminist outlook, it turned out to be a homophobic film. The film was overall disorienting and shockingly violent specially the rape scene which runs for 9 minutes.

The film was entitled irreversible because the story was shown backwards. Through the use of a dizzying form of editing and camera movement, it tries to bring the audience back in time just like in the movie Memento. I would not recommend to watch this film because it certainly will give you goosebumps and will only lead you to the story of Alex's shockingly, sinful, painful experience of physical and sexual abuse.

 

Reaction on the course

Upon my three months stay in CNM102, I have learned many ideas and topics about films, specifically the different types of film theories. We tackled structuralism, apparatus theory, male gaze theory, semiotics, marxist theory, feminist film theory and many more. Sir Jamal's teaching device of showing us award-winning films in the past, taught us how to criticize different films and the film theories behind them. 

This subject is very helpful to me because it gives me foundation and preparation in making good movies in the future. Just like what the "auteur theory" states that good movies do not depend on the editing, but upon the auteur or director's concept of the story. I can apply the different film theories that I learned when the time comes that we will be required to make film production on our own.

Some of the films that we watched including their respective film theories:

TRAINSPOTTING

Realist film theory

PARADISE NOW

Realist theory and Marxist film theory

MATRIX

Formalist Film theory

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Queer theory

Women's body power in Philippine Sex Melodramas

Women's body are usually the object of desire in Philippine sex melodramas. They use their body as their advantage, giving them power over the other characters. Not only women are subjects of desire in her partner, but also, according to the article, they are "active and are movers of the narrative". Usually, women in films have a stereotyped of being sexually attractive and desirable to her opposed gender. They are connotated of being involved in love and sexuality, therefore, they use their body to get what they need. Example of this is when a woman wants to get something from a man, she will use her body to tempt the man to have sex with her and eventually gets whats she needs in the end. Women's portrayal in films give them power, using her women-ship as her advantage in improving her circumstances.

Sex is usually the central theme in Philippine melodramas. It is connected with the Male Gaze theory, where men are usually the "peeping toms", while women, actually are just the object of desire. 

Most of the films that we have today include sex scenes between a male and female character. Although it is not very much pornographic compared to the bomba films in the time of Marcos, the idea of women's body power still remains today. Take for example the Filipino film entitled "No other woman", which was screened last 2012. Anne uses her body and sexuality to tempt Derek Ramsay, who is married to another woman. Both the female character, Anne and Christine, fights over Derek by using their body and sexual appearance. 

1970's when films that are connected to sex and violence continues to rise up. These are movies which are called "bomba films", which is the soft porn in the Philippine cinema. Movies such as Scorpio Nights, Uhaw, Hayok and many others are the examples of these. Nudity is not only the focus in Philippine sex melodrama, but it is also about women's experience, how women contribute to the story of the film, thus, making them the "movers of the narrative."

  

Structuralism: the language system of cinema

According to Ferdinand de Saussure, words have no intrinsic surface meaning, for the meanings of such words can only be ascertained by virtue of the relation between a word's difference from all other words. Meaning, you cannot identify the meaning of a single word, without the next word. Words need to have pattern in order to generate the complete thought of that word. That theory in the language system is similar to the structuralism theory in film. 

We can generate that a single shot cannot have an entirely complete thought without the next succeeding shots. They are connected together in order to have a meaning. For example, a combination of shots can create an idea. Even if there is no meaning given to the scene, the sequencing or the editing of the shots, generates meaning to it. One particular example in this theory is how it is used in the film entitled "the birds". They used the system of editing known as alternation or parallel montage. It creates shots that shows Melanie seeing vs what Melanie sees. 

Although it is not narrated in the film that Melanie is being attacked by birds, the shots in the film are enough to give idea that Melanie is being attacked by birds. 

Take a look at this video to see the alternation editing in this scene.

In line also with structuralism, it is more difficult to understand what they call in cahiers "structuring absences". Films connected to politics, slavery and sexuality are usually the elements that are covered here. Every sign contain not only positive meaning, but also negative connotative meaning. Structuring absences is part of a subtext. In psychoanalytic film theory, the cinema, functioning as a representation of the imaginary, makes what is absent, or repressed, present.

 Structuralism over all is a theory in film that seeks to understand and uncover the deep structures of film. The meaning of the film are constructed by the system of differences between shots. 

Apparatus theory: a reaction

Apparatus theory, as stated by Christian Metz is a study on how the projection of films in the screen affects the spectator within. He said that the distinguishing factor that differs cinema from other arts is that it is a signifier whose presence is absent, thus calling cinema the "imaginary signifier". There is a prerecorded viewing of the object, which is already absent, while the perception of the spectator takes place in real time. Cinema therefore draws us to the imaginary. As quoted by Metz, " it drums up all perception, but to switch it immediately over into its own absence, which is none the less the only signifier present". 

There should be identification when viewing films because there would be no meaning if there is no identification. There is the character in the film which the spectator looks at, this is where identification takes place. But some films have no character, nevertheless, it does not necessarily say that all films that have characters can have total identification. According to him, "even if the characters are present, there cannot be total identification: the screen is a mirror but not in a literal sense". Identification occurs with the apparatus in cinema, such as the projection of the camera and even the editing. The spectator in the film is subjected by the cinematic apparatuses. All the movement of the head and the perception of the spectator are duplicated and projected by cinema, it is the screen which functions as the recording surface for what has been introjected. It acts as the new mirror of cinema. 

Cinema Desire: A Critique by Zizek

“Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn’t give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire” - Slavoj Zizek

                                      

Upon watching THE PERVERT'S GUIDE TO CINEMA by Zizek, I realized that movies have a lot to offer for ourselves. It does not only satisfy the crave for personal entertainment, but it also gives us a holistic realization of the art that is in cinema. 

The film was all about the ideas that are presented in all the greatest movies ever made. Movies that have the theme of fantasy, reality, sexuality and desire. Zizek's presentation of the film was in a humorous style, yet he was able to deliver his intellect and knowledge about films.

It covers and explores the structures that made us sustain our experience with reality. It also showed some films and how they relate with history. Zizek taught us that our desires our artificial, therefore we have to be taught how to desire. Cinema, on the other hand tells us how to desire.

One example that Zizek gave in this film is about the Matrix scene where Neo was asked to choose between the red and the blue pill. Zizek says that it isn't a choice between illusion and reality. Matrix is already filled with fiction--- fictions that structured our reality. Therefore, if you take away any symbolic fictions, you do not have reality at all. If there would be a third pill, it would be a pill that would enable us to perceive not the reality behind the illusion but the reality in illusion itself.

There was a scene where Zizek went to the Location where Hitchcock's birds attack a young, rich, socialite girl from San Francisco. Now the question is, why do the birds attack? The answer is not because the birds are part of the natural set-up of reality, but rather that it intrudes literally tears apart reality.

As Zizek quoted:

 "We humans are not naturally born into reality. In order for us to act as normal people who interact with other people who live in the space of social reality, many things should happen. Like, we should be properly installed within the symbolic order and so on. When this, our proper dwelling within a symbolic space, is disturbed, reality disintegrates."

When it comes to sexuality and fantasy, there should be some third imagined element which will enable us to interact with this pleasure. Zizek also critiqued the concepts of love, beauty, sex and power that is in the hidden message behind cinema.

Some of the movies that were included are:

Possed by Clarence Brown

The Matrix

 The Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock

The Exorcist

“In order to understand today’s world, we need cinema, literally. It’s only in cinema that we get that crucial dimension which we are not ready to confront in our reality. If you are looking for what is in reality more real than reality itself, look into the cinematic fiction.”- Zizek

A seminar reflection (Digital Futures: Transliteracy and American Studies of the Philippines)

         Okay, so last Saturday (November 16), I was able to listen and be involved in the seminar conducted by the American Studies Association of the Philippines about transliteracy in animation, digital arts and multimedia design. But before we go any further, let us define first what is Transliteracy.

         Based from the talk given, transliteracy is the ability of man to interact or to be literate in the new media and how it offers a wider analysis of reading, writing and interacting in different platforms, tools and digital media. 

There were three lectures given on the afternoon session, the first one is:

Digital Arts and Multimedia Design by Joel Chua.

Painter and illustrator of children's books- Joel Chua

Multimedia is a combination of sight and sound interaction. Auditory and visual sensation are both important in entering the world of multimedia and digital arts. Faces aren't used to instruct, but our brains connect emotionally to them. It is said that 55% of total impact of a person's message is from non-verbal expressions and the other 45% of a person's impact is verbal- what is said and how it is said. With this, we should consider that both text and images should be close together in order to deliver the message well. But not in excess because much decorations can ruin the whole game plan. We should make alive "the sound and sight interaction" by personalizing the voice- if not the language, then at least the accent. In video games, make sure to involve actions with sight and sound elements because we can associate better trough this. The idea behind multimedia is to make the audience interact by eyes and ears and enable them to create a certain concept. 

Animation: Alternative learning tool by Ayeen Pineda

Vice President of Tuldok Animation Company- Ayeen Pineda

"Everything that has no life can be animated"

Animation is the state of being animated or the process of giving the illusion of movement to drawings, models or inanimate objects.  We give pictures a life through animation, making them believable in our audience. Through it , we can communicate and contribute to the learning of other people by helping learners understand and remember information easily. It's often used to show learners things that are not easily seen in the real world. We put care behind the concept for people to easily grasp the idea. Characters in animation also help people in distant learning. 

Why Animate? 

Because childhood has changed rapidly over the past few years and we should adjust the teaching methods accordingly and because animation is FUN. 

Why effective?

1. Displays are simpler and less cluttered.

2. Images are more vivid, engaging and more intuitively comprehended

3. Animations provide additional info that cannot be displayed in pictures.

4. It help builds mental models of situations by providing external support. 

How does it benefit students?

Develop skills or competencies in storytelling, visual communication, cognition, emotional ethic, observation, aesthetic and sensory aspects, concentration and problem solving.

American Influences on Local Animation Industry by Grace Dimaranan

President of Top Peg Animation- Grace Dimaranan

One of the topics included in this lecture is about digital literacy and why it's important in today's generation. Digital literacy is important because access to information has changed and technology is evolving rapidly. It is no longer enough to focus solely in our ability to read and write but also to be digital literate  to adapt in the new technologies emerging. People need to be transliterate in order to be involved and contribute to the society.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS! 

Film Criticism: the beginner's guide

Assignment in Cinema 102

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinema engages us not only to appreciate its pure form of art, but engages us to be critical thinkers as well. To be a good film buff, is to know the basics of film criticism. Here's one of the few theories involved in doing so:

Feminist theory:

Feminism tackles about the right of the women to stand up for themselves. It gives importance to the equality of both men and women's status in our society. It gives women an opportunity to be heard in the society and make a contribution that would benefit us all. In some ways, it also includes matters such as the education rights of women, their ability to be involved in politics and their chance to be equal with the abilities of men.

Gender Studies:

Gender studies seeks to understand different gender issues in our society including studies about LGBT society, feminism, women and men issues and sexuality. It somehow tries to offer solution to many gender problems in our society today.

Performance Theory:

Performance theory is the study between a performer and a spectator and how their relationship contributes to the development of any performing arts that would mirror our society today. This theory believes that any performance around us is the reflection of who we are as a whole community.

Spectatorship Theory:

Spectatorship theory looks not how the audience are captured through the technicalities of the film, but centers on how the audience are captivated in the film experience and how it involves and affects them as they watch the show.

Ethnic theory:

Ethnic theory is one of the social factors that studies on how race including culture, religion, and language sums up the whole ethnicity of man. This theory supports the principle that no race is above other race and each ethnic/culture of man has its own uniqueness that should be given importance. 

Auteur Theory:

Auteur theory involves the director as the primary in charge of the film and the one who gives it a distinctive style. It centers on how the director shows creativity in the production and thereby gives him the sole responsibility to act like the "author" of the film. 

Memoirs at the Mowelfund

 

(“Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn't give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire.” 
― Slavoj Žižek )

Last Friday (Sept.27) , we went to the Mowelfund Plaza and we were able to witness many archives of costumes and props used in Philippine TV shows and films. I enjoyed the whole tour because it opened my eyes and understanding to the beauty and spectacle that film art has to offer, and made me appreciate the efforts of the staffs and workers behind the scenes.

Mowelfund, or the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, is an organization in the Philippines that provides for the welfare of workers in the film industry, as well as helping film workers in times of need.

I'm gonna have a brief reminisce of the event in my blog, and the story will start from the moment I saw Boots Anson Roa.

She was our speaker at the tour and she explained to us what Mowelfund is all about and how it works as an organization. It was a splendid moment listening and staring at her, and her charisma definitely overwhelmed the whole crowd. First, let's not deny the fact that her irresistible beauty(though, she's aging), is a factor in capturing our attention, and second, the way she delivered her speech is pleasing to our ears because it was smooth and flawless.  Anyway, it's not all about her appearance to us, but her message to the youth about films and the Mowelfund history and story are the most important matters in this part of the event. We were not able to watch the short film she prepared because of technical problems, and so we immediately entered the museum with much excitement. 

Here are some pictures of costumes displayed at the plaza:

I'm all set for the prom!

I wonder what is the cup size of my childhood heroine, Darna...hmmmmm....

Walang Himala!!!!!!!

Ancient gown is ancient! Who wants to wear this at her wedding?

Raiding the closet of my ancestors.. haha

Fly me up to the sky, and together we shall reach the clouds....

The next thing we saw are the props used in some popular films in the 90s. Props used in horror films, comedies, dramas, fantasies are all displayed at the second floor of the museum. Of course, we didn't by pass the opportunity of taking some great shots with these items such as:

                                      

But my most memorable experience of the tour is the moment I saw vintage tools used in film making such as editor, camera videos, clapper and other stuffs. I wanna be a producer some day, and being able to see these things is very meaningful to me. Mowelfund tour is such a fun adventure because not only I enjoyed myself, but also I learned many things about films and appreciated the hard works of the workers behind the film industry. 

Other pictures:

                            

That's all folks! Till the next time I visit the Mowelfund Plaza.....

Le Mepris- Contempt 1963

Last meeting, we watched a film entitled Le Mepris, which is an adaptation of an Italian novel, II disprezzo. Directed by Jean-Luc Gidard, the film was all about marriage, love and relationship issues between Camile, Paul and Prokosch. The story circulates about Jeremy Prokosch hiring an Aussie director, Fritz Lang, to make an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey. However, Prokosch was not satisfied with Lang's treatment in the film so he hired Paul Javal to do the script again.  As the story goes on, we find that the life of Paul, Camille( his wife) and Paul, corresponds to Penelope, Ulysses and Poseidon patterned to the story of Odyssey itself.

The film started with a scene between Paul and his wife Camille lying in a bed, indicating that they just finished having sex. Camille asked his husband how much he loves her and how much he is willing to give anything for her. From the very start of the movie, I can already say that Camille's behavior can be likened to people with narcissism and bipolar disorder, because there are lot of scenes in the movie wherein she hurts her husband. It revolves around the topic of feminism, which emphasizes Camille as the center point of man's erotic fantasy. Godard sums up the whole film by connecting life and art. 

I enjoyed the whole film because it depicts the reality of life. The story of Odyssey, which was written in the past, is not merely just a fictional love crisis but rather, a story patterned in reality and how much humankind can suffer when entangled up in love affairs. For me, it is a story of sadness and the bitterness of life, wherein people needs to confront their problems and accept the contempt in every individual's life. Problems such as love and marriage issues can really contribute to the misery of life, which no one of us can escape. 

Godard's montage is truly a masterpiece and a legend of his time because of it's state of the art production and script writing. It's a film which involves much revelation and contempt to its characters and shows the reality of life. Godard used many symbolism in this film such as the used of orange and dusky sun-faded shooting location which indicates the sadness and bitterness of life.

I rate this movie 4 out of 5, for its stunning production and much acclaimed plot.