Storytelling & Commission: From Script to Screen

Cutting Edges Film Review

La Jetee (1962)

Directed by Chris Marker.

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Set in France, La Jetee is a wonderfully put together black and white film, with amazing photography which is a short film made of stills. Which keeps you engaged and informed throughout. Luke Y. Thompson from the New Times says: A perfect little short all shot in still images (Thompson, 2003) It comes across as a documentary, with the narrative voice over which blends along with the photographs very cleverly.

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The soundtrack's texture is similarly sparse, and the fluid montage leads the viewer into the sensation of watching moving images. (Andrew, 2006) The sounds within this short film keep you in a motion of movement with one point having a pitta-patter sound and a constant tapping in the background. Also whispers occur when photographs of men being tested on pop up, which brings the pictures to life and makes you, feel unsettled. Having a mixture of images from Close-ups of people to landscape/far away view of people; with background sounds and a narrative on top, it really takes the audience through different emotions. Chris Marker has made a lovely film of which everyone should see, This is Marker's masterpiece (Curiel, 2003) states Jonathan Curiel.

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Bibliography:
Text: Andrew, Geoff. Available at: http://www.timeout.com/london/film/la-jetee (Accessed online on 7th Jan 2014) Curiel, Jonathan. Available at: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_jetee/ (Accessed online on 7th Jan 2014) Thompson, Luke. Y. Available at: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_jetee/ (Accessed online on 7th Jan 2014) Images: Fig 1. La Jetee (1962) From: La Jetee. Directed by Chris Marker [Film Poster] French. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm768643840/tt0056119?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_prd_ 1 Fig 2. La Jetee (1962) From: La Jetee. Directed by Chris Marker [Film Still] French. http://tinatyrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/125.jpeg Fig 3. La Jetee (1962) From: La Jetee. Directed by Chris Marker [Film Still] French. http://www.filmquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/fq.2008.62.2.4fu03.jpg