Blow-Up by Jameson Posey

Blow-Up (1966)(IMDB)

Michelangelo Antonioni/Italy/1912

Budget: $1,800,000

Gross: $20,000,000

Synopsis: A misogynistic photographer captures what he appears to be a murder and is thrust into paranoia and 

disillusion. 

Narrative and Visual Keywords: Mystery, Art house, Sexual, Androcentric, Apathetic, Mod, London, Fashion.

Characterization/ Dialogue: Thomas, played by David Hemmings is a quick tempered perfectionist when it comes to his photography and a free spirit when it comes to sex. He seems to try and find meaning in the mundane world, which leads to sexual frustration and obsession. 

Camera/lighting/editing technique: The editing in the movie was purely based on motivation. They took their time and never forced a cut that didn't need to be there. The lighting was High key with minimal contrast and all the exteriors were mostly natural lighting from the sun. The camera didn't do much out of the ordinary besides for the car shots. I have never seen car shots like I have in this movie. It would fallow on an OTS of Thomas driving and then jib up and pan over to reveal a car or truck or building then cut back to an OTS of Thomas, very strange but very unique.

Political/ Social Commentary: I didn't really get much on the political or social commentary besides what we talked about in class with the rock show scene but I did gather that maybe he is trying to say that everyone is suspect through the eye of a lens and that everyone appears naked through the camera.

Historical Relevance/ Recognition: Showcased the 1960's London Mod Fashion era. 

Random fact, Etc. It is rumored that David Hemmings character was based on David Bailey, a famous photographer at the time.

Week 2 Reaction Questions:

1. Can you detect object and subjective reality as well as authorship? Please describe. The objective reality was that this man, Thomas, is a photographer. The subjective reality was what he saw through the lens and the characters he was introduced to. 

2. How does the film treat political and or romantic or religious commitment? I think it touches on the whole sexual freedom aspect of the young, artistic world during the 1960's. After the invention of sex i.e. birth control the world changed and I think this starts to highlight that throughout the film. 

3. After researching your auteur, can you see elements of their personality in their characters? If so, which? Can you guess what their take on society is? I have not seen enough to make an accurate statement on that but  I do feel like Antonioni's films are almost as if they are real time, very long and very true moments in someones life.