PIS: La Jette (1962)

Topic of discussion: Analysis and documentation of Chris Marker's, 'La Jetee'

Post no. 2

THE FILM
Alright, so my lecturer showed me a film called 'La Jetee'(The Jetty) by Chris Marker. The whole film is built on images, accompanied by narrating and sound effects. Its more sci-fi related as it deals with time travelling.

The still images taken throughout the movie are in black and white of course, centralized and dark. It has quite a high contrast perhaps to give a more dramatic effect. Multiple images are taken of the same scene and object to give the character movement and life although in still images. Overall the images worked like a storyboard, a test-prototype.

As for the transitions, what really gave a sense of movement were the overlapping and dissolving from one image to another. Like the multiple shots of the woman sleeping, put up one after with the dissolving effect gave the illusion of the woman actually moving. Fade in and outs are mostly used to determine the switching of scenes and locations. It also happens when the narrator is changing the subject, talking about something totally unrelated to the previous image. Panning and zooming into and out of the image also gives the illusion of life, as if the camera was really there filming the whole situation. It gives a certain intensity and focus to the matter the narrator is talking about. Overall, the most used transition effect is dissolve.

The background sounds used in the film are mostly orchestrated. Its edited in a way to allow more emotion and depth into the situation the narrator is describing and the images which are being portrayed. Heart beat sound effects tell the audience that the subject matter is getting more tense, emitting a more nervous behavior. What I found really creepy about the sound editing were the whispering bits. It excretes the horror vibe which I found very disturbing. Overall, the sounds were edited quite seamlessly, a little awkward at some parts but it does get the emotions and story going.

The duration between the transitions of the images are timed quite perfectly. It gives the audience the correct anticipations.

Signal Processing : There are some present during the whispers, definitely with the narrating. I couldn't notice any delays or distortions as the recording was really old and crusty. As for the pitch, it varies between the subject and narrator.

The images and sound chosen do reflect and coincide one another. However, I did not get the story at all at first. It is something that one must watch twice to get it as it has many deep connotations in those images.


CHRIS MARKER
Chris Marker, the director of this film as well as his other known work 'Sans Soleil' has a great interest in politics and history. It may be the drive that inspires his work. He rarely does any interviews. 'La Jetee' is a photo montage with voice overs, with occasional muttering.

However there's a link I found that leads to one of Marker's interviews regarding his choice of mediums, personal interests and work.

"I would have spent my life trying to understand the function of remembering, which is not the opposite of forgetting, but rather its lining. We do not remember, we rewrite memory much as history is rewritten. How can one remember thirst?"

Chris Marker (29 July 1921 - 30 July 2012)

This statement he made was actually quite mind boggling but it does make a fair argument. What I can comprehend from this quote is that we just could not remember anything as accurately as we would like to.

Other films like 'Dancerama' by Sigue Sigue Sputnik are also inspired by La Jetee.

Overall, I think Chris Marker is a wise, thoughtful man. However, this film did not inspire me as much as it isn't my kind of movie.