This movie was extremely unexpected. It is startling both in the theme (pedophilia) and the way it's presented (home movies and personal interviews). As for the title of the movie, it obviously has to do with capturing the family dynamics on film and in real life, since the father, Arnold, turned out to be a pedophile. The subject matter in itself is pretty intense, but it's made still more striking by the fact that it's all in homemovies, which makes it not only real, but absolutely true.
When compared the the Johnathan Caouette film, Tarnation, the same principle applies; the movies are more emotional, more dificult to watch because they are so intimate. However, the Caouette film is an auto-ethnography in that it is one man telling his story and showing the viewer his culture from his point of view, much like a native anthropologist. The Jarecki film was from an outsider's point of view, so it is not as intimate, but the objective-exposing a suburban scandal-was still accomplished.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Omar Gatlato
Theme: Realism
This film follows the daily life of an Algerian man named Omar Gatlato, who lives in the Bab el-Oued quarter of Algiers. While it is not a documentary, it is based on reality, as is say in the opening credits. The cameras follow him on his way to work, when he is out for a drink with his friends, and when he attends a Hindu movie. It shows his living conditions-a crowded house full of children and relatives-and his workplace-a jewelry appraising business. The main point of the film is his desire to meet the woman with the beautiful voice he hears in a cassette his friend gives him. It is set in the seventies, so it was after the Algerian War of Independence.
In one review, the film is described as "the film examines with shrewd humor the gang values of urban youth; their passion for popular culture (soccer, "Hindoo" movies, Rai concerts), their hidden fear of women, and their social insecurity in an environment where they are marginalized."
I personally saw very little of any of that-perhaps I am blind to the subtle twists and turns of the film, or perhaps there simply were no twists and turns. I don't know. To me, there was very little plot or rising action, but the camera strategies and frank dialogue painted a very clear picture in regards to one mans' life.
This film follows the daily life of an Algerian man named Omar Gatlato, who lives in the Bab el-Oued quarter of Algiers. While it is not a documentary, it is based on reality, as is say in the opening credits. The cameras follow him on his way to work, when he is out for a drink with his friends, and when he attends a Hindu movie. It shows his living conditions-a crowded house full of children and relatives-and his workplace-a jewelry appraising business. The main point of the film is his desire to meet the woman with the beautiful voice he hears in a cassette his friend gives him. It is set in the seventies, so it was after the Algerian War of Independence.
In one review, the film is described as "the film examines with shrewd humor the gang values of urban youth; their passion for popular culture (soccer, "Hindoo" movies, Rai concerts), their hidden fear of women, and their social insecurity in an environment where they are marginalized."
I personally saw very little of any of that-perhaps I am blind to the subtle twists and turns of the film, or perhaps there simply were no twists and turns. I don't know. To me, there was very little plot or rising action, but the camera strategies and frank dialogue painted a very clear picture in regards to one mans' life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)