Binocular Aesthetic
Sep 4th, 2008 | By Rick | Category: Classic Cinema, Clips and TrailersHere’s a shot from Béla Tarr’s Satantango that is masked to a shape familiar to any birdwatcher (or, because it is such a common convention, anyone who’s ever seen a thriller). The mask works on several levels: on the surface, it simulates the view through a pair of binoculars. Because we do not see someone pick up the instrument and look through it, we only assume there is a person on the other side, until the next shot reveals who it is.
On another level, it serves to focus our attention on what is being seen through the binoculars — it both emphasizes and isolates it from its surroundings. The binocular mask shuts out the other possibilities from our consideration; it is the ultimate closed composition.
Because of the binocular mask, we immediately suspect that whoever it is on the other end is spying. Of course, the fact that the man in the shot is behaving suspiciously — no shirt, peeking out a window — reinforces this suspicion. But then, our attention wanders, and we join with our unknown voyeur in a seemingly random examination of his (or her?) rundown surroundings.
The hollow, gradually-increasing background “music” — is it organ? or bells? — adds to the paranoia, the feeling that something is about to happen, or that something or someone is coming. It is a wonderfully creepy scene, not the least because we are implicated in the voyeurism, right alongside the unknown watcher. When he is finally revealed, we already know a lot about him, and it is not particularly pleasant.
Here’s the entire scene. Enjoy!
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Rick-
I’ve been rather obsessed with the POV shot this past year (that’s why I’ve been shooting through Hitchcock’s entire filmography).
The fact that you have taken the time to disect why a shot like this is important makes me very happy.
Now, I know I may come off as a pretentious jerk for saying this, but I don’t care.
THE POV SHOT = CINEMA.
My Lord, what have I become!
A very discerning cinephile, sounds like to me . . . I’m not sure I’d go quite so far, about POV, I kind of like tracking shots too . . .
As a matter of fact, when I think “cinematic”, I tend to think of the great tracking shots like in “The Player” or “Touch of Evil.” Different strokes, I guess.
Now, now Rick. To say that my love of POV shots is stronger than my love of tracking shots would be more than wrong!
Tracking shots are one of the most important tools in the filmmakers arsenal. I even defend the ones that are simply there to make us oooh and ahhh.
A great tracking shot is like a great guitar solo. It may not be needed within the composition of the song, but it makes it so much better (usually….)
But you didn’t say THE TRACKING SHOT = CINEMA … how pure could your love BE?
And what about tracking POV shots? Huh? Huh?
Nice post, Rick.
I haven’t seen Satantango, but indeed that is not only a fun visual device but a way to laser in the viewers attention. I think DePalma does this well, too, with his split screens.
Thanks, Fox.
The DePalma, I’m not so sure about. I never was a big fan of split screens, or DePalma, for that matter . . .
Rick-
I thought I knew you!
I’m a huge Brian DePalma lover, and apologist.
I think his split screen work in SISTERS is masterful and his use of the binoculor masking device in BODY DOUBLE is inspired.
Are both movies great? Eh…they are to me, I guess.
And, I must say, POV TRACKING SHOTS are the ultimate form of the cinematic medium.
How ’bout POV tracking pans? Now there’s some serious camera-moving mojo!
Rick said,
“Because of the binocular mask, we immediately suspect that whoever it is on the other end is spying.(ha!ha!…) Of course, the fact that the man in the shot is behaving suspiciously — no shirt, peeking out a window — reinforces this suspicion.” (Rick, I agree with you “wholeheartedly” about the man in the window acting suspiciously and my first thought(s) about his behavior …I wonder why he is behaving that way?)
Rick said,”But then, our attention wanders, and we join with our unknown voyeur in a seemingly random examination of his (or her?) rundown surroundings…”
Rick, I agree with your observation about the scene from the film “Satantango,” but instead of, joining with the unknown voyeur as “he” or “she” peered randomly at their surroundings instead, I found myself focusing on the one doing the observering…
…First of all, I read your review of the film “Satantango” and then I looked closely at all 4 pictures that you posted and finally, I watch the film and while watching the film…I found myself at first “observering” the man acting suspiciously, as he peered out of his window (and I didn’t even wonder who is watching the man who was peering out of the window.
My main focus was only on why is the man who is peering out the window acting suspiciously,) but as soon as the “observer” stop watching the man, I “immediately” switch my attention to the one doing the “observering.”
I did’nt care what else he “observed” from his environment, to the dirty little pooch or the dripping water from the faucet. My main focus was only on the “observer” and Why he was “observering?”
Oddly enough, as soon as we (the viewers) get a glimpse of him (the observer) the film ends.
Very interesting!…Indeed!
Thanks, for sharing!
dcd
darkcitydame4e, this is a four minute, 20 second shot of a 7 hour plus movie. It happens about an hour into it. The guy with the binoculars — “the Doctor” — turns out to have a major role in the picture. Our introduction to him both sets up the role and gives us a bad taste in our mouth about him.
I like your notion, though, that our attention switches to the watcher after the shot moves away from the guy in the window. I think that’s true …
Rick, This is my first “introduction” to the film Bela Tarr’s “Satantango”…I have never “watched” or even “heard” of this film before.Therefore, my question to you is…Is this film available on dvd?…
Btw, this is a 7 hour plus movie?…Wow!
ps Rick, since I am kind of “new’”to this “game” of film watching (except for the films that are considered film noirs that “invaded” my life…2 and half years ago!)
Being an artist,the only thing “pervading” my life is painting and reading.
But, I am now in the process of trying to expanding my “knowledge” when it comes to film watching and that would include a “steady diet” of films that fit into all categories and genres. Therefore, I am checking~out! as many eBloggers pages and asking as many questions as possible!…about films past, present, and even future offerings therefore, eBloggers I ask, “please be “patience” with me!”
Thanks, dcd
Rick -
DePalma IS GOD!
… the discussion pretty much ends there.
Thank you,
Fox
darkcitydame4e, no shame in not knowing who Tarr is … he’s one of the more obscure filmmakers with any international reputation; most folks have never seen one of his films. Satantango is available on DVD, and from Netflix too, but if I were you, I’d start with something a little shorter, like my personal favorite of his, Werckmeister Harmonies, also available on Netflix. He is not for everyone, about as different from a noir as you can get.
And we all have to start somewhere, my cinematic knowledge isn’t as high as some of my more knowledgeable blogging colleagues. I started off educating myself by watching the classic art directors of the 50s and 60s — Kurosawa, Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut — and worked from there.
Fox,
You are blasphemous, my hirsute friend, calling that operatic hack God . . .
The one true God — the God of Solonitsyn, of Rublev and Ivan … of Bonderchuk, Kelvin and Snaut . . .
The great god Tarkovsky shall smite thee from the highest heaven, and thou shalt feel his wrath!
yur pal,
Rick
SANTANTANGO is one of the greatest films of the 1990’s, ranking with the likes of Kieslowski’s RED and THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE, Kiarostami’s A TASTE OF CHERRY, Von Trier’s BREAKING THE WAVES,Spielberg’s SCHINDLER’S LIST, Hanson’s L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and (for me) Nichol’s GATTACA.
This freeze captures the hopelessness and claustrophobic alienation that suffuses the very texture of this staggering marathon masterpiece.
Hey, Sam: I’m with you on all of those, except perhaps “Gattaca,” although I haven’t seen “Breaking the Waves.”
Have you seen “Werckmeister Harmonies”? I actually almost prefer it to “Satantango.” Blasphemy to the Tarr true believer, I know.