"Killer of Sheep" is much different than films we are used to today. It is also unlike any we have touched upon in this class. There are many effects that make this film odd yet compelling; however it is the oddities that make it difficult to watch. First of all, the camera is often un-stabilized and has the "Blair Witch Project" feel to it. But there are also scenes where the camera is stabilized and no panning or tracking effects are used whatsoever. This variety shows a lot of contrast in technique utilized by the director, Charles Burnett. There are also scenes that seem...unnecessary as they don't contribute or detract anything from the film. This is especially annoying to me because I am in an English composition class where everything MUST be necessary to the point of the paper and no insignificant points may be made. Another annoyance is the fact that some camera shots are just not focused on subjects in certain scenes, or the camera is just focused on the wrong part of someone's body. I've tried understanding why the director might do this but the reasons elude me.
This film could be considered difficult to watch and analyze due to its differences with modern film and the techniques used. Despite our unfamiliarity with films like "Killer of Sheep" it is still seen as a masterpiece of its time.
No comments:
Post a Comment