The chapter “The Shot: Cinematography” in “Film Art: An Introduction” lays out the fundamental elements of cinematography: framing, composition, and visual storytelling. It’s a playbook for understanding how visuals drive narratives. In this post, I’ll connect these theories to Chris Marker’s “La Jetée,” an experimental short film employing still images to tell a gripping time-travel story.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, “La Jetée” follows a man haunted by a childhood memory of witnessing a woman at an airport just before a traumatic event. Scientists, conducting time travel experiments, recruit him to journey back in time to gather crucial resources for humanity’s survival. The film, primarily composed of still black-and-white photographs, explores fragmented memories, blurring reality and imagination. It delves into themes of memory, time, and the human experience, challenging traditional storytelling with its innovative use of visuals to create a haunting and thought-provoking narrative.
Framing and Composition stand out as foundational elements discussed in the chapter. It explains how the placement of subjects within the frame, the angle of the shot, and the overall composition affect the message conveyed. Additionally, it emphasizes that a well-composed shot not only captures the action but also communicates emotions, themes, and character dynamics. “La Jetée” capitalizes on this by meticulously choosing each still frame. These images aren’t random; they’re thoughtfully composed to evoke emotions and propel the story. Marker’s deliberate arrangement showcases how a well-crafted shot, even when static, speaks volumes, mirroring the chapter’s emphasis on the power of visual composition.
“La Jetée” emphasizes the significance of lighting within still frames to establish mood and atmosphere. Marker’s deliberate use of light and shadow in each image contributes to the film’s haunting and atmospheric quality, showcasing how cinematography employs lighting techniques to evoke emotions and immerse the audience in the narrative.
Moreover, the chapter accentuates the notion of cinematography as a visual language. It highlights how the arrangement of shots, the use of specific camera angles, and the manipulation of visual elements contribute to conveying information, emotions, and narrative progression. Cinematography is not merely capturing images; it’s about crafting a visual narrative that resonates with the audience. “La Jetée” embodies this by using visual storytelling techniques different from traditional motion. Despite this departure, the sequence of stills adeptly communicates the narrative, proving the potency of visuals in driving a story forward. Marker’s film experimentation aligns with the chapter’s theories, showcasing diverse cinematography approaches for storytelling. “La Jetée” disrupts norms by using stills but effectively communicates the storyline. It’s a testament to cinematography’s adaptability and effectiveness in narrating tales, extending beyond conventional cinema.