Postmodernism: 'Un Chien Andalou'

This surrealist picture is known as the best developed avant-garde film of the 1920’s (referring to people who work experimentally towards art, culture and politics in a respectful manner), which represents a ‘pushing of the boundaries’ against the expectations of the conventions, norms and status quo. It is 16 minutes surrealistic silent film, released in France in 1929. Spanish director Luis Bureal and artist Salvador Dali produced the film. ‘Un Chien Andalou’ was banned for eight months in Paris due to its graphic imagery, although it is now well respected. It is in respect regarded as modernism, with distinct values of postmodernism.
I noted some postmodern aspects throughout the film, being extreme from this time as it was in the early developments of film, adding to its dramatic acknowledgment of its day – and to this day, too. After watching it, I made various notes upon the film:







• Silent film – forces watcher to imagine – aim to interpret own meanings through sound – freedom in imagination
• The use of ‘Once upon a time…’ in the opening, adds to storytelling
• Film noir – important man, black and white shaded. Noir before its time
• Man alone – singled out – a theme?
• Shot goes to moon – aims for viewer to highlight what’s happened so far – man looks at moon, which parallels this
• Close-up of woman’s eye. Shows it being slit. Moon interrupts as shot-reverse-shot to provoke shock and meaning/thought upon this – now a clouded moon – adds to things being unclear? Both at time/in story
• Follows on with ‘Eight years later…’ which continues the story and adds to thought process
• More modern – stylish buildings and cyclist – day time/contrast in colour, which represents mood? Light could mean change, within the time and from dark places?
• Shaky camera – perspective uneasy. Follows man cycling from front, as he is shaky and uneasy as he rides. An omen for the story. Cut to him from behind, adding to varied perspectives
• Now see modern buildings, a contrast?
• Effects of bugs on hand – covering him. A dirty motif, adding to his soon personality and feelings. Grotesque person or surroundings?
• Graphic match from this to a bruised armpit, which would be noticed at this time due to the noticeable effect of that time. Can acknowledge the technology functions – postmodern? Also an unusual inserted image, which adds to questions? Could be nostalgic, as a flashback. Forces a recognition between shots, too
• Individuals playing with a bloody hand in the street. Highlights people’s relationship with crime at that time – not a big deal or a scare so they neglect it? Or could reflect people’s future perspectives on crime, and how people show no affection towards crime? Historical element?
• The use of fast-paced, quick edits shows a speeded pace of time. Transfer of time before eyes – made to make the audience interpret how fast reality goes – time travels by past? To saviour their lives. However, could also be drastic for what is to come – a skip in time to a large change then means audience have to value what has happened, and take in own account of what has happened within time gap
• Unknowing what they say through speech – adds to imagination – focuses on facial emotions/physical movement and actions
• Ambiguous storyline – no answers as to what’s happening/why – ponders
• Man attempts rape – male gaze stressed. This adds to male dominance with a patriarchal society, although ads to assumptions that all men perform rape, or will over time become sexually dominant (as time gap has progressed). Man tackles to control woman – through ropes – ads to self-conscious attitudes of men. Psychological issues, as they have physical needs versus own reaction.
• His determination shown as he draws closer, pulling objects as well as bizarrely other man. Could reflect assumptions of all men being sexual predators, although the main core of their facial reactions hint otherwise, as they seem perplexed and scared – highlights to not make assumptions
• Lack of protection – no police around. May relate to lack of security over society
• Image of dead animal adds to the baroque of the scene. A sign/corruption of animal cruelty
• Women trapped in corner – highlights they’re trapped within society? Also use of girl being blurred shows their inferior position.
• Man ill in bed – outcome of attack. Highlights mental diseases – paranoia?
• Comparison of classes highlighted as feeble, lower man in bed appears scared in reflection to a business man. Added as man shakes him and appears annoyed, possibly capitalism’s need for more workers – higher status?
• Male looks at camera- his interpretation to the audience. Lures out audience to this being a film, and back into reality, although as film continues they draw back into the distorted storyline
• Unreliable and ambiguous storyline, due to the constant skips in time – again ’16 years ago…’ shows a storytelling, retrospect touch
• Shows help in communication as the camera follows the falling man to the ground – adds an understanding to the story
• Woman is reminded through flashbacks of harsh past (e.g. repetition of bruised armpit, concludes the meaning) – this allows the audience to put together their own interpretation, although the film doesn’t go into extreme details. Hypertextualization from this, as jumps around in story line.
• An answer is given in finale, although not fully. The woman is shown to be happy, with a new man. This differs from postmodernism as answers are fully given, although a massive gap of the story has been distorted due to the man being left out. There are no answers behind his life line nowadays. Therefore, once the film finishes, it aims to leave the audience pondering over what has happened. They can establish their own ending for the man’s outcome. This stems from Freud’s associate – Josef Brewer’s – theory, which states ‘no censor of thoughts, just an allowance for the patient to unconsciously learn.’