Σάββατο 22 Ιανουαρίου 2011

The See that Thinks

Είδος: Ταινία
Γλώσσα: Nederlands
Υπότιτλοι: English subtitles
Χρονολογία: 2000, ΝL
Σκηνοθεσία: Gert de Graaff

Διάρκεια: 98'









Incredible optical illusions in a story in a story in a story helps the surprised viewer finally to find out that he has been watching himself all along.

The Sea That Thinks is a surprising film about itself. A film overflowing with twists and turns and new angles. It focuses on Bart, a scriptwriter who is writing the script for this film. In the film, Bart himself plays the scriptwriter writing the script of The Sea That Thinks. He types what he does and does what he types. In his film, he finds the answer to the urgent question: How do we find happiness? He uses stunning examples to show us that our world is only to be found in our consciousness. What is real and what is illusion? Do we believe in our dream world while we dream? Do we believe in the reality of film while we see it? And why? His combination of pictures and text has a hypnotic effect on the viewer. It provides an exciting, dislocating and humorous adventure. Later it also becomes apparent that the film is not about this tormented scriptwriter at all. In a game filled with optical illusions and continually changing points of view, the surprised viewers gradually find out they are looking at themselves: How do I observe? What do I assume to be true? What do I think I see? What do I think I am? The viewer turns out to bear a striking similarity to the Sea that thinks it's a Tree. (Gert de Graaff)



This stylistically sophisticated visual game presents ‘a story within a story'. The protagonist is scriptwriter Bart Klever who fights persistently with his new text – which is, at the same time, the screenplay of the film we're watching. In the movie Bart plays a scriptwriter writing the script of the film… Bart's struggle with the text becomes a narrative theme, as does the environment of the flat where he works and takes care of his little girl. The intimate environment offers ample opportunity for games of illusion involving space, light, colours and a couple of cats. The outwardly simple world of the room is further complicated by the unstable dimensions of a text continually influenced by the film-maker's interventions, which appears on a computer monitor and serves as a counterpoint to the similarity mutable environment. The constantly changing viewing angle complicates answers to questions which arise: What is ‘truth' and what ‘illusion' ? Which of the observed worlds is primary and superior to the rest? Can anything serve as a basic orientation point in the narrative space? (IMDB comment)


The Sea That Thinks - Winner of the following awards:     *     Joris Ivens Award - IDFA Amsterdam (the Netherlands)     *     Golden Key Award for Best Cinematography - Art Film Festival, Trenclanske Teplice (Slovakia)     *     Special F.I.C.C. Jury Award - Art Film Festival, Trenclanske Teplice (Slovakia)     *     Experimental Feature - DIFF Award, Dahlonega International Film Festival (U.S.A.)     *     Grand Prix best experimental feature  - Rhode Island International Film Festival (U.S.A.)     *     Best First Feature Film Award - Wine Country International Film Festival (U.S.A.)     *     Oscar-nomination of the European Film Academy   

PS. In order to watch the film without 'loading pauses' press start and then pause. Wait until enough minutes are already loaded (visible within the duration line). 
ΥΓ. Για να δείτε ολόκληρη την ταινία χωρίς διακοπές πατήστε την έναρξη και μετά παύση. Περιμένετε ωσότου αρκετά λεπτά της ταινίας έχουν φορτωθεί (ορατό στη γραμμή διάρκειας της ταινίας).




http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/xp4awZ-RuCI/


I would suggest to all the viewers that have enjoyed this film to look the information - interview of the director in the following page: http://www.dezeediedenkt.nl/ (in English or Dutch)

Επίσης ένα άρθρο βασισμένο στα σχόλια του σκηνοθέτη μπορείτε να διαβάσετε εδώ: http://sobaresapopseis.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post.html

2 σχόλια:

  1. Sounds fascinating. Like an abstract painting or a Robbes-Grillet novel.

    ΑπάντησηΔιαγραφή
  2. Good morning and welcome Nothingprofound,

    It sure is a strange movie that you have to watch at least two times. The first time just as a movie. Then if you find it interesting go to the site of the maker read the interview (or is it not? - remember nothing is what it seems) and then watch it for a second time but trying this time to watch yourself! This is what the director wants from you.

    I have tried to put down the thoughts of the director as well as mine here: http://sobaresapopseis.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post.html
    It is in Greek but try if you want a google translation.

    Unfortunately I am not acquainted with Robbes-Grillet but I understand that he was also a film director, so I will try to watch some of his work. (Thanks for the tip!)

    Thanks for your comment and for the nice aphorisms that you share with us.

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