Analyzing Michelangelo Antonionis Blow Up Essay - 1705 Words

Film 1B03 - T08 Michelangelo Antonioni was an acclaimed Italian film director, revered for his contributions to the discipline of cinema. In many ways, Michelangelo Antonioni has revolutionized the realm of art cinema and is responsible for the foundations that the style now rests upon. One of his most influential films was titled Blow Up. In his first English language film, Antonioni examines themes of perception and reality, especially in regard to society and the individual. This film has continuous markings of an art film from the opening sequence to the final credits. In order to analyze the film’s style we must be aware of the criteria that define and differentiate the art and narrative models. In many art films narrative†¦show more content†¦During this scene there are several elements conforming to the criteria of an art film. First, the reappearance of Hemmings’ ‘wife’ and her claim that she is in Paris is surprising and confusing. This interactio n adds a sense of confusion and detracts from and already limited amount of information and understanding available to the viewer. The plot-line between Hemmings and his model ‘wife’ is made clear to be of no use to function of the film, only as an event leading to nothing. It is also in this party that the protagonist confronts his publisher about his discovery. His disregard for the subject matter can be interpreted as society’s care free ideology and false reality. This is made explicitly evident when Ron tells Thomas that he is not a photographer, implying he does not care about his quest. Ron, by choosing to ignore the facts presented before him, is making himself ignorant in an attempt to carry on a life of uninterrupted pleasure. This removal from reality is one of the fundamental issues recurrent in this film. Hemmings is faced with a choice between what is moral and what is comfortable. The moral choice is more difficult and requires him to sacri fice precious time and effort in order to do what is right. The