Director Federico Fellini
Las Strada (1954)
Juliet of the Spirits (1965)
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EDIT (3/27/17) :
After today's class discussion I realized I misinterpreted the prompt, " Do you believe in authorship." I understood authorship as whether I not do you believe one can distinguish a directors "voice or style" rather than do you think a director has "sole" authorship over the direction of a film. My answer is I do not believe in "authorship" as film is an extremely collaborative effort. Although the director does have massive influence over the look of a film, there are other roles that deserve just as much credit as the director.
We talked about the influence of screen writers, actors, and producers and their impact on the voice of the film. In America, both actors and directors are glorified and recognized for their efforts , while casting a shadow on other significant contributors such as the screen writer! Speaking of the "look" or feel of the film, lots of this is achieved by the technical crew or VFX artist. Nowadays, live action and animated films are so heavily dependent on great special effects, that there is not a scene that has not been touched up, wether we realize it or not. A scene as simple as a character looking into their reflection requires VFX, to cover up the reflection of the camera.
So I believe that "sole authorship" is false and the celebration of directors as "authors" is disproportionate to the amount of influence they have on the film. Media and People have a tendency to forgot or ignore that film is a collaborative production and there should greater recognition of screen writers, producers, and VFX artists as potential "co-authors."
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EDIT (3/27/17) :
After today's class discussion I realized I misinterpreted the prompt, " Do you believe in authorship." I understood authorship as whether I not do you believe one can distinguish a directors "voice or style" rather than do you think a director has "sole" authorship over the direction of a film. My answer is I do not believe in "authorship" as film is an extremely collaborative effort. Although the director does have massive influence over the look of a film, there are other roles that deserve just as much credit as the director.
We talked about the influence of screen writers, actors, and producers and their impact on the voice of the film. In America, both actors and directors are glorified and recognized for their efforts , while casting a shadow on other significant contributors such as the screen writer! Speaking of the "look" or feel of the film, lots of this is achieved by the technical crew or VFX artist. Nowadays, live action and animated films are so heavily dependent on great special effects, that there is not a scene that has not been touched up, wether we realize it or not. A scene as simple as a character looking into their reflection requires VFX, to cover up the reflection of the camera.
So I believe that "sole authorship" is false and the celebration of directors as "authors" is disproportionate to the amount of influence they have on the film. Media and People have a tendency to forgot or ignore that film is a collaborative production and there should greater recognition of screen writers, producers, and VFX artists as potential "co-authors."
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Within the two films I have watched by Fellini, I find similar archetype he uses for his protagonist. They are female characters with ignorant personalities who learn the cruelties of life. Their immunity to the injustice of the world crumbles as they are forced to face reality. Both films happen to use the same actress as the protagonist, Guiletta Masina; who I found out is also Fellini's wife. Both film's protagonist lack independence as they are both oppressed by a dominating male figure. In La Strada, Gelsomina was forced to be Zampano's side show assent. In Juliet of the Spirits, Giulietta lived for her husband. In some ways both women were able escape and gain some form of freedom in the end. This basic pattern of ignorance, realization, and action may be a signature of Fellini.
Another note that characterizes the director's style is the sharp disorienting cuts he uses to jump from scene to scene. However this is more likely due to his lack of skill....
Another note that characterizes the director's style is the sharp disorienting cuts he uses to jump from scene to scene. However this is more likely due to his lack of skill....
Director Jim Jarmusch
Deadman (1995)
Mystery Train (1989)
Down by Law (1986)
All of these films have several themes in common that speaks to Jarmusch's interests and signature. They all include travel and outlaws. Each film also includes either protagonists or major characters that with foreigners.
The settings of all the films are set in old western towns. Characters also share similar dynamics. In all three of these works, they are stories about conflicting but inseparable duo. As the story progresses the audience and the pair learns more about themselves as they progress through challenges in their journey. By including foreigners, it allows for and element of surprise as the foreigner goes against the audience and other character's expectations.
Characters also share similar goals, they are seeking escape. In Deadman, a guilty accountant wishes to escape death, Mystery Train is about a couple seeking new experiences , and Down by the Law would escape from imprisonment.
The films point of view is from an outsiders perspective. Deadman including Native Americans, Mystery Train includes has tourists as protagonists, and Down by law centers around criminals. Jarmsuch's work also has as similar tone and story format. The audience also treated as an outsider as well, we are never allowed into he character's head but serve as silent observers. There is a wondering feeling about his stories as they do not appear to be plot driven. All of his character come from low income backgrounds and the character explore those impoverished areas. Characters also are together not out of choice but of circumstance and are forced to stay together because of these circumstances.
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