how can you tell a silent film story? How does Bauer do so? Does he use any formal or narrative techniques that Larin did not?
social sciences
Description
Points to consider
1. Again, a key question is: how can you tell a silent film story? How does Bauer do so? Does he use any formal or narrative techniques that Larin did not?
Remember always to ask yourself not only WHAT... does the film say about the following themes/topics? But also HOW... does the director say what he wants to say about these themes/topics? Specifically, what formal means does he employ in telling his film story?
Grezy (Daydreams, 1915)
1. Gender roles and gender relations (socio-historical picture)
a) representation of the male protagonists, Nedelin and his friend Sol´skii
b) representation of the female protagonists, Tina and Elena
c) the protagonists’ attitudes to ‘love’ and their relationships with each other – similarities and differences
d) Bauer’s attitude to his protagonists and their world views (especially Nedelin and Tina). How does he communicate his opinions to the viewer?
e) Compare Tina and Elena. Why have two female protagonists in this film?
2. Class roles and class relations (socio-historical picture)
a) are issues of class represented in this film?
b) can this film be read in political terms?
3. Representation of the city
a) Tina’s place in it/attitude to it
b) Nedelin’s place in it/attitude to it
4. The film’s genre
What type/genre of film is it? Is the film’s genre significant in any ways?
5. The film’s ending
What is your reaction to the film’s ending? Were you shocked by it? Why, or why not?
6. Who are the ‘strong’ characters in this film? Does the balance of power alter as the film progresses?
7. To what extent and in what ways does the film’s design (eg mise-en-scène) contribute to the telling of its story?
