Holistic of Russian Ark

Russian Ark is a film that was created using a “one-shot” technique. This film seems like your average Middle Ages setting, except that it’s not just that. The camera is also the eyes of a man, who seems to be in some kind of limbo, as he believes he is dead. The narrator is voiced by the director, Alexander Sukarov, who does a voiceover for the entire film, but the character remains unnamed. What started as simple confusion turns into straight-up wackiness for the narrator when he realizes that he’s being taken through 300 years of Russian history inside the Winter Palace (otherwise known as the Hermitage Museum) in St. Petersburg. He’s being taken through the history of St. Petersburg by a man in black who is the only one capable of seeing him, for the most part. Some people interact with him but most don’t. This man accompanying him is known as “the Stranger” who represents a 19th-century traveler. 

This film is a masterpiece in the sense that it hoped to be. All in one take, and through research, I found out they only had ONE day to shoot this film because of the location it’s filmed at. Just on a technical basis, this film is rather encompassing. This film stands on its own as a unique piece of cinema, even if I found the plot to be a bit boring. However, there is a question to be raised about its worthiness outside of the one-shot tactic. When looking back at it, I didn’t find much else about this film to stand out besides the costumes and coordination of the project. The plot feels overall forgettable outside of the narrator and the Stranger, but that is not to say this isn’t a good film. It is a technical masterpiece, and I give my kudos to everyone involved. It just feels like this film wouldn’t have been enjoyable if it had been filmed in such a unique way- I have similar feelings about a movie called Hardcore Henry that utilizes the first-person camera idea as well.  The lighting was also a bit off but I can’t expect amazing lighting from a project like this. There are a lot of contrasting visuals and light changes that are a bit distracting, but due to the film’s continuously moving nature, I can let it slide. There was a lack of emotion in the shots, though. Because of the one-shot nature of this film, it feels emotionless in a way since they couldn’t play with shots and lighting to create a feeling for each scene, at least not in a way that is usually seen in films. 

After my criticisms, I would still like to note that the cinematography, acting, blocking, sound design, and movement were very good. The camera never faltered and was very steady the whole time (presumable thanks to a gimbal). The costumes and the people occupying them felt genuine, despite a time crunch. The sound felt very real, even if some of it wasn’t mixed the best. The blocking of the scenes is fantastic, especially in an age where many studios have forgotten what that is. While I know that it’s not as necessary as a scene being filmed from two angles; this crew must’ve taken dozens of practice runs to ensure a flawless run-through for this film. As someone who enjoys wonky movies, this film was a joy to watch purely for the production of it. I believe that this film deserves its flowers, but it is very clear as to why this kind of thing has not been done much before or since. These kinds of shots are extremely difficult, so the fact they made it work with over 2000 people involved in a 90-minute runtime is insanity to me. However, I respect it immensely. 

Russian Ark is a beautiful piece of cinema that shows us that we need to move on even if some wish to remain in the past. Through different time periods and music, we can see what the message was all along by the end. We all must keep moving forward, and while the film quite literally displays that through its camerawork, the message is there too. 

Stanley Kubrick and Spider-Man #50-#52

With these images, I hoped to showcase how the depth of a scene can change how it feels. With the one on the left, I used the tree's limbs to act like borders around the cars to showcase division. Whereas the second one showcases more and adds more outside context. With the second photo, there is also a sense of bordering but not division. It feels more open to perspectives than the other. Kubrick's visual communication is shown in his usage of singularity and symmetry, and that can be seen here. While there is not a sense of loneliness as seen in his work, there is a sense of isolation within the perspective of the branches. I saw this tree while waiting for my girlfriend and it came to me like an epiphany. I'm not much of a photographer but I do like capturing moments like this, regardless.

The idea of holistic imagery revolves around a sense of connection and intertwinement. It doesn't just need to be trees or religious visuals to be intertwined. For this image, I chose the iconic “Spider-Man No More” comic panel. This panel is from a run of “The Amazing Spider-Man” which spanned issues #50 through #52. This panel is arguably the most iconic image in Spider-Man comic book history and has been parodied, redone, and adapted into several different kinds of media since its debut. The fluidity of an image can be shown through symbols and a comic book style, just as well as a beautiful image of a beautiful tree woven together with string. The bright colors of the costume contrast with the dark surroundings; symbolizing how Peter Parker is leaving a bright future (and impact on the world) behind him because it is too much. We also see his thoughts which pop against the dark blue background. The clothes Peter is wearing can be seen on the ground with the trash, which could be a coincidence or a semiotic that showcases how he’s left himself in the trash. 

Persuasion Versus Propaganda

Our first two examples are that of propaganda. The first of which is pretty recognizable. It uses iconic semiotics in using “Uncle Sam” imagery and the American flag and its colors. In addition, Uncle Sam is staring into the eyes of the reader to incite guilt and a call to action. These simple uses of recognizable gestures and imagery make for a very solid propaganda poster, hence its pop culture significance across the world. 

For my second example of propaganda, we have a poster from the anti-apartheid resistance period based out of Gaborone, Botswana. This poster argues for a united republic rather than just a white-dominated one. This poster is propaganda due to its call to action, utilization of imagery of people protesting, and solid and easily recognizable protest wording in their message of “No to the White Republic, Yes to the People’s Republic”. This poster uses simple colors that contrast to catch the eye of the viewer, which allows it to stand out and get its message across.

Anyhow, this brings us to examples of persuasion. The first example is a DAWN ad, and this ad uses persuasion in a very positive way. On the floor stand and cardboard casing for the soaps, we see the mess of “Together We Can DO MORE”, with imagery of ducks being cleaned with DAWN soaps. Most people are probably aware of this, but DAWN is known for its environmental help, especially with oil leak cleanups. They use emotional and progressive imagery to make you believe you’re being a good person buying their product. This ad uses persuasion in a fantastic way, and regardless of their actual involvement in environmental cleanups, their imagery works and supports a cause many people can get behind. For that, they have created solid marketing material and an iconic one at that. 

These two ads are persuasive for their own separate reasons but each uses similar aspects and relies upon you having outside knowledge, even if it is widely known or recognizable. Propaganda is usually used for government or protest reasons, whereas persuasive ones are usually associated with products. There are examples outside of this bubble, but I find that my statement is true most of the time. These ads all served the purpose they intended to do, and that’s why it’s so important to have these media analysis and literacy skills. Otherwise, the average person will fall for even the crappiest propaganda and persuasive material. 

This discussion of propaganda versus persuasion has been extremely enlightening to me and has allowed me to use critical thinking skills in breaking down different ads and commercials in my daily life. Using these examples alone could showcase the general concepts to new learners, and I think that’s another reason to commend these marketing strategies. Persuasion and propaganda are extremely different and people should be aware of that fact. 

Visual Communication Homework 1 - Cognitive/Cultural-Bound Theory

Assuming that we are discussing the army ad shown in class on Thursday, this ad had a whole lot it was trying to pack into 30 seconds. From a theoretical perspective, this commercial was just that- a commercial. It used flashy imagery of strength, danger, and manhood. It showed the viewer that they wanted to make you STRONG. The whole point of this ad was to draw upon the toxic masculinity in our culture that pushes men to be “strong” or “brave” or “bold”, when in reality there ARE other options. This ad is designed to make you think that that specific goal will bring you to greatness, which has always made me a little uncomfortable, to be quite frank. These ads always made it seem like there is no other way to be strong or utilize that strength than to join “the world’s strongest army”. And while that is objectively true, we shouldn’t push every man to be tough and strong, or to join the armed forces.

These advertisements and commercials are completely bound in cultural-bound and cognitive theory.  They draw upon cultural standards and the overwhelming amount of masculinity in this culture to draw in new supporters and recruits. I, for one, never saw appeal but I see why they would for many others; especially those in need or with limited options. They can use all of the flashy male-catering imagery they want but it won’t work forever. There’s also the issue of this constant need to make our ancestors proud instead of embracing the future. You can make your ancestors and past generations proud without being in the army, and that is what isn’t shown. There’s a lot of illusionary work at play, and while it may be effective for other people, I’ve never bought into it for a second.