Use numbering to answer the "technical" questions.
1) The film is from 1959, when color was the norm. What do you think about the director's choice to use B&W?
2) Subtitles: too many, too little, distracting, engaging?
3) This film's genre is called "tragicomedy." Does it work for this kind of subject?
4) Whose ACTING you liked the most in the film? (This is not a question about the character you liked the most.)
COMMENT
Giovanni represents the free spirit and a philosophical anarchist (nominally an Bakunian anarchist). His only allegiance is to his circle of friends and loved ones.
Are his arguments against war legitimate? Of is he a lone wolf howling in the wind?
AND REPLY!
1) I think that the choice for B&W was definitely an artist one. I am not entry sure why, but I can assume that the director wanted to create a reminiscent feel to the film. Because it centers around the war, it could also symbolizes the sadness and struggle of the war. Instead of vibrant colors, it's dark and gritty.
ReplyDelete2) I liked the subtitles, especially when it would distinguish the different dialects between someone from Rome and Milan.
3) I think this film is a tragicomedy because Giovanni's character is someone who the audience is supposed to love and enjoy his comical ways of trying to get out of situations. However, he does die and it is heartbreaking to see Oreste tell dead Giovanni that he's scared to die.
4) I enjoyed Giovanni's acting because it seemed very genuine. It felt like his character could exist in real life. For example when he spoke to Constantina he was nervous/giggly and that scene felt authentic to a life like situation.
I think that he was a lone wolf at the start of the film. I say that because in one of the scenes he puts straw in his backpack and kind of makes fun of everyone whose trying their hardest. Then he gets his head shaved for bad behavior, but after that something changes in his character. Eventually, he actually started to care for others and his friendship with Oreste grew, despite the fighting between them.
It is true that Giovanni is initially something of a lone wolf, socially out of sync with others. However, I believe this does not mean that the reasons for his behavior are irrational nor not understandable. His attitude is reasonable for someone who feels he has no personal stake in the conflict.
Delete1) The director's choice was deliberate, made to emphasize the bleakness of the Great War. The film was made for a generation of viewers who had become disillusioned with life and society after the death and devastation caused by the Great War. Using black and white permits a physical manifestation of the mental conceptualization of the time period.
ReplyDelete2) I enjoyed the subtitles from this film. I always turn on subtitles when I watch film or television programs because 'reading' the story helps me to better understand.
3) Tragicomedy works for a subject as serious as World War I because it successfully permits a viewer to learn something, factual or emotional, from the film without actually becoming depressed. I think the elements of irony and comedy allow the film to be more accessible to viewers who might be discouraged by films too serious of a nature. For this reason I have in the past enjoyed the film La Vita e Bella, an Italian film about the Holocaust that, at times, borders on romantic comedy.
4) I liked the acting of the actress who played Costantina. She was a good choice for the role, whereas the role of a prostitute is often too beautiful or unrealistically sexual.
Giovanni is interested in keeping his head down and trying to save his own neck. He intends to survive so as to return to his life at home, to be reunited with his family and friends. These characteristics are usually scorned in military operations, which emphasize loyalty to the unit, fellow soldiers, and the cause. While Giovanni is a potential risk to the political/militant success of his country, his reluctance to fight and general anti-war sentiment is understandable. He is being asked to give up his life for a conflict in which he is not personally involved. Why should he and thousands of other men perish because of the choices made by a few politicians, who are safe in their ivory towers?
I agree! Although Giovanni does seem to be somewhat of a lone wolf, his actions in my opinion are justified. Why risk his own life for something he isn't personally or even closely involved with?
DeleteEmma I agree, I think that the "trying to save your own neck" feeling is something that some of the other soldiers in the film felt as well, but they were very passive and accepting of the fate that they were given. While Giovanni, seems to be trying to push against that fate every chance he has.
DeleteI too said I liked the acting of Costanitna! I'm glad we both can agree that the actress that played her did a great job.
DeleteEmma, I agree that the use of black and white film has to do with the director's desire to portray the bleakness that surrounded this time period of war.
Delete1) I think the B&W was a great artistic touch on the director's part. I think by having the film in B&W, it allowed the audience to really focus on the characters and the actual plot of the film more than anything else.
ReplyDelete2) I think the subtitles were pretty helpful especially when getting lost in some scenes.
3) The film being classified as a tragicomedy is rather accurate. The film had moments with and between the characters that I found to be quite funny. However when Giovanni does die, its pretty upsetting because throughout the film I grew to be quite fond of his character and found myself rooting for him.
4) I really loved Giovanni's acting as well. I found his character to be somewhat relatable in way and through his comical actions, it was hard not to enjoy his character and acting.
I believe Giovanni's arguments against war were legitimate and when his friendship with Oreste begins, its clear that his arguments are shared to some extent. In the beginning of the film, Giovanni seems to be withdrawn from the rest of the men and somewhat looks down upon them. When he meets Oreste again, they bond over wanting to leave the war unharmed and alive.
Ye, there is just something about B&W films that I Iove. I think them raw. I do agree with you, making this film B&W was a good call.
DeleteI agree with your comments about Giovanni and Oreste. I feel like their relationship is what allowed Giovanni to really engage with and apply himself to the war and while for his own greater good, also for the good of the country.
Delete1) Although the black and white was not necessary to use, because at the time films in color did exist,I think the black and white gave the film a nice dramatic feel to it. It also helped to place the film in the older setting that it was set in.
ReplyDelete2) I, for on, enjoyed the subtitles very much. I felt as if they helped to explain the film very well, and I thought that they were just nice and helpful in general.
3) I think the film being put in the genre of tragicomedy is perfectly fitting. The film is both tragic and a funny comedy in very different ways, that only a genre title like this could have quite fit it accurately.
4) One of the characters who's acting I enjoyed very much, or even the most, was Costantina. I think she was a great character and the actress who payed her really portrayed her character very well throughout the film.
I do believe that Giovanni was being legitimate with his idea against wars. And I don't blame him that throughout the film he is constantly trying to return to his friends and family. He is really just doing all that he can to survive, and I can't say that I wouldn't do the same if I were in his position.
I agree that in his position, Giovanni's ultimate priority is survival. Because of his determination to protect himself and his family, he can sometimes appear as both a lone wolf and also as someone who has strong arguments against war - but deep down, his motivation never changes.
DeleteI didn't consider choosing the actor that plays Constantina. Now that I read your views, I do remember the second scene with her and Giovanni and felt that she really nailed it. She changes so quickly from an angry woman to someone who is falling in love, that is a difficult thing to achieve.
Delete1) I think the B&W was done for dramatization; to put emphasis on the theme of war in the film.
ReplyDelete2) I think the amount of subtitles was just right. They were very engaging and helped with further understanding the film.
3) Yes, tragicomedy is a fitting genre for this film because it is both tragic and funny.
4) I liked Giovanni's acting. It was on point and straightforward.
I would say Giovanni's argument about the war are legitimate. But he is also a lone wolf (seen clearly in the beginning of the film).
1. In a time when color film was available to portray to beauty of colors in the world, using black and white film was done to portray the somberness that existed during the war.
ReplyDelete2. The subtitles helped me follow along during the film, so I think there were just enough.
3. Using the genre tragicomedy was definitely appropriate for this film. The film centered around the war which was obviously full of tragedy and hardships, but the comedy aspect was present through Giovanni's comical personality.
4. I enjoyed the acting of the actress who portrayed Constantina.
I definitely do not see Giovanni as being a lone wolf in this film. Although many people disagreed with his anti-war beliefs, I think a large part of that has to do with fear of speaking out against the greater good and the Italian government in fear of being punished, or worse, killed.
I also liked Silvana Mangano's portrayal of Constantina. She really brings the strong, loud-mouthed Italian woman stereotype to life in the movie.
DeleteI agree, Costantina was also a good actress too. I chose Giovanni because he played a bigger role in the movie and was a more significant character to me.
Delete1) I think that because color was an option, the black and white was definitely a choice, likely for aesthetic and dramatization reasons.
ReplyDelete2) I generally prefer subtitles so I felt that a perfect amount was provided. It helped me to engage more with the film.
3) I think "tragicomedy" is an accurate representation for this film because the director took a tragic event and placed a comedic influence on it. He made you love the characters enough to hate their situations.
4) Giovanni's acting was very real and very relatable. The way the actor portrayed him made you grow fond of his character and anticipate what he'd do next which kept you attached to the film.
Giovanni's attitude fits the common cliche "fighting another mans war". This is a familiar concept in history and is often met with conflict so Giovanni's argument against the war is legitimate. He doesn't attach himself to the fight because he is concerned only with his own life. Also, his relationship with Oreste shows us that he isn't a lone wolf and shows us that he is still willing to fight with his comrades.
1) I think the director chose to use black and white to make it seem as though the movie was filmed during the time WWI took place. This would help make the movie seem more "authentic" and it would make it easier to create an illusion for the audience to really make them feel a part of the experience.
ReplyDelete2) I think that the subtitles were engaging. I don't understand how they would be anything else. Without them I would have no idea what was being said between characters.
3) The "tragicomedy" works for this subject. This film makes it work, at least. WWI resulted in a majority of a generation of males being killed. It is inherently a depressing topic, but this is what life is like in the army. When you bring together a group of young men they are always going to mess around, no matter the circumstance. Even if that circumstance is putting their lives on the line for their country.
4) I liked Alberto Sordi's (Oreste) acting the most. His character is one who falsely boasts patriotism and willingness to do whatever he needs to for Italy. It is quickly realized that Oreste is a man who tries to get out of every dangerous situation in any way possible. Sordi brings a very realistic approach to playing the character. You can see fear in his eyes whenever he is about to have to actually fight for his country.
Giovanni is pretty much a lone wolf. While everyone else is committed to their jobs in the army, he is always looking for a way out, using his opposition to the war as an excuse. We get a good picture of how Giovanni will act in the very first scene of the movie. As he lies to Oreste about his medical conditions to be exempt from the draft we can tell that he will be doing the least amount of work possible. This holds true until the very end of the film.
I agree with your response to the fact that this film works in the the genre of tragicomedy. You are right that this is what life is like in the military, and that men will always find a way to mess around in any situation. It reminds me of the book "The Things They Carried," and although it was a different war (The Vietnam War), the men in the book still had a sense of humor. That is why I believe tragicomedy works for themes of war -- tragedy can exist with comedy even in times of war and it is an accurate portrayal of soldiers in the military.
Delete1. I think that the director's use of black and white in this film, even though using color was the norm at this time, was a choice made to emphasize the time period of World War 1, in which the film takes place. This war occurred earlier in the 20th century, when color film was not used yet. Also, like my other classmates have said, it was used to dramatize the war taking place.
ReplyDelete2. I liked the subtitles. They helped me keep up with what was happening and be engaged in the film.
3. Yes, I believe that the genre "tragicomedy" is still able to work for a film about World War 1 because there was just the right amount of comic relief to lighten the mood without taking away the seriousness of the subject. With a subject as serious as war, it is important to keep a balance of light and dark and I think this film did a good job with that.
4. I really enjoyed the acting of both Giovanni and Oreste. I found that they both played their parts very well; they were likable and human. Their acting helped me connect with the characters and this made the ending more devastating for me.
Giovanni's arguments against war are definitely legitimate. At a time in which soldiers were drafted instead of volunteering, it makes sense that someone like him, whose only allegiance is to his friends and family, would be anti-war. I do believe he fits the characteristic of "lone wolf" but that is not necessarily a bad thing as he is looking out for what matters the most, himself and those he cares about.
1)During this time, movies gravitated to using colors when filming. However, the director chose to use black and white. I believe he chose to use black and white so that the viewers can feel with the film, feel the saddest and brutality of the war. Also, to give the viewers a sense of the time, this movie took place during World War 1, and at the time, films weren’t in color.
ReplyDelete2)On a daily basis when watching television, I like having subtitles. When watching the movies, I liked watching with subtitles, it helped me understand the movie better as well.
3)I think this film falls under a tragicomedy, because it has moments of sadness and despair, as well as those that are funny and nice.
4)I liked Giovanni’s acting throughout the film. He played the role nicely and felt like he swiftly went into character. It didn’t feel rigid or like acting.
I feel like Giovanni was aloof in the beginning of the film and doesn’t engage with others. However, as the film goes on he builds a relationship with Oreste. We see that he’s scared and worried about the war. I personally think that he has every right to be scared, he’s fighting a war and is risking his life.
1.) I believe the director used B&w film to put a greater emphasis on the time period the movie was set in. During war things are bit more bleak and I feel as though the B&w put emphasis on the darkness/bitterness that is associated with wartime deart
ReplyDelete2) I personally prefer subtitles when watching films. There were moments where things got a little confusing but having the text available provided clarity.
3) The film being categorized as a tragicomedy seems like an accurate assessment. Although he movie was set during the war, there were many portions of it that provided comedic relief. The tragic aspect comes in when the main character that we have grown fond of dies, Giovanni. The comedic aspects makes the idea of war a bit more palatable.
4) I can appreciate the acting that Alberto Sordi did for the character Oreste Jacovacci.
I think Giovanni's arguments against war are pretty legitimate. When you live a life where only a few matter, it lowers the risk of you putting yourself i danger and for you to sacrifice a great deal. Fighting battles that don't actually resonate with you makes it a bit difficult to fight with all you have. As the film progressed, I believe Giovanni learned that there are other people outside of the mini world he lives in and his heart grew a bit bigger to care for others, specifically Oreste.
1. I think the cinematic choice to use black and white, even when color was available, was appropriate and effective. It made the film bleak, stylistically. This absence of color encapsulated the dryness and depression of war, rather than sensationalizing it with this new invention of color to cinema.
ReplyDelete2. The subtitles did not provide any problem for me. They allowed me to understand what was being said and what was going on. An important necessity..
3. The "tragicomedy" genre COULD work for this type of film, but I feel it doesn't. The stylistic choice to shoot in black and white serves a more depressing tone and compromises attempts at humor or comedic social/political commentary. Had it been shot in color, though, it's use of humor would have made more sense and would have fit a modern day "dark comedy" genre.
4. I loved the acting from Oreste. Ultimately, he portrays the coward role so well and his actions even deceived me at times - reeling me to believe he was patriotic, but then quickly pulling a heel turn. Really effective acting mixed with dialogue.
Giovanni juggles the line between lone wolf and having strong convictions against war. Obviously in the beginning, he is looking out for himself and family only. However, as the film progresses, we do see that he is suppressed and fears going against his own government in fear of retaliation. Overall, I'd say he's neither one side or the other.
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ReplyDelete1) I think the director intentionally shot in black and white to illicit an emotional reaction from the viewers. By having the film in black and white, it adds a feeling of sadness and despair to a sometimes goofy film. It helped ground the movie as a mixed-genre.
ReplyDelete2) To be opposed to subtitles it to be opposed to foreign language films. I agree that it can be difficult and it takes a certain amount of concentration but if people only watched films in English, they would be missing out on a lot of great art and storytelling.
3) Though it was a war film, it felt like a comedy to me most of the time. Tragedy seems too strong of a word as nothing felt emotionally tragic to me. Even after the two main characters are killed, the other soldiers joke that they've somehow gotten out of work yet again. There were some dramatic moments for sure, such as Oreste screaming at the Austrian officers that he doesn't know anything, but the film felt very lighthearted.
4) None of the acting stood out to me for most of the film. I wouldn't say that it was bad but that it was average. The one scene that did affect me was when Oreste was begging for his life. The actor was present in the moment and I truly felt his anguish.
I believe that Giovanni's arguments are legitimate. I too am opposed to war and find myself objecting to any sort of military action. With that being said, they way he goes about it is incredibly annoying. Regardless of the war you can tell that he is the type of person who would try to get out of any sort of work and to take the shortcut whenever possible. Sometimes you have to put your personal feelings aside to protect the safety of others. Though he looks out for his immediate friends I would argue that his laziness puts their lives in danger.