Pick a text: Love it, hate it, confused by it? a. Identify and describe the genre cues you see and what they lead you to expect, whether those expectations are met, whether there are surprises related to your categorical expectations. b. How does that contribute to your love, hatred, or confusion?
Pick a "preview" for a text
- Identify and describe the genre cues you notice
- What do you think would be some satisfying subversions of those expectations?
Note on homework assignments: When we say “text” we mean things like books, stories, movies, TV show episodes, theater pieces, for example.
“Dark Matter” by Karim Lakzadeh
https://www.ifccenter.com/films/dark-matter/
I recently came across a summary and preview image of the movie 'Dark Matter' on the IFC website. The film's deliberate choice to be in black and white, eschewing color, lends it a poetic quality and suggests a focus beyond the conventional. This stylistic decision led me to anticipate an artistic, independent film that steers away from linear storytelling in favor of highlighting other narrative aspects. The summary hinted at a dramatic and unpredictable nature, further igniting my curiosity about the story's unfolding, its presentation, and the overall viewing experience.
After watching the film, my expectations were largely met, but with delightful surprises. The film's structure was unconventional – a film within a film, where the actors are simultaneously creating and enacting the story. This blurred the lines between reality and fiction in a captivating way. The subtly absurd storyline kept me fully engaged in the moment, reducing the urge to predict the next development or the ending. These elements of surprise not only enhanced my viewing experience but also deepened my appreciation for the movie.
Trailer of “Taste of Cherry”
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=550uwQQeNeo&t=54s
The poster focuses on the man's eyes, which convey a sense of hopelessness and indifference. Its color palette, featuring bright yellow, red, and purple, creates a psychedelic atmosphere.
The trailer presents a narrative of a man driving through picturesque autumn landscapes in the suburban countryside. It showcases scenes of golden fields, sunsets, and smiling couples. Accompanied by a nostalgic soundtrack, the trailer's warm color grading and the choice of sunset scenes evoke a feeling of nostalgia tinged with a hint of melancholy. This leads me to expect an artistic, poetic film centered on the journey of a middle-aged man through suburban areas, dotted with spontaneous and perhaps meaningful encounters along the way.
I was surprised to discover that the man intended to suicide and was seeking someone to bury him. This solemn intention unfolds gradually throughout a journey portrayed with aesthetic tranquility, which transforms the essence of what is unusual and tragic into something that feels normal, even comforting. The film normalizes the concept of suicide, treating it as just another everyday decision. The first subversive element is the man's unexpected plan to vanish, and the second is how the act of suicide is seamlessly integrated into the film's aesthetic setting and dialogue, making it appear as common everyday topic.