I noticed once again there were more diegetic music provided in the film as we see Mary and other characters singing throughout the musical, compared to the other vintage silent films. Everything was non-diegetic in the past films. It was nice to see women playing bigger roles in films as well. There was some political context in the film. For example, there was the rise of European fascism and also the end of class warfare in the USSR, guaranteeing all rights to minorities. I really liked how this had more light-hearted, comedic, optimistic moments compared to the other films I watched in this class. They were darker because they related on war. In my opinion, this was a well made film with a good message. The whole story in general was very unique and creative. The fact that racism is seen everywhere, not just in America, and everyone should be accepted no matter where you came from.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
"Circus" response
The film "Circus" is a Socialist Realist film made in 1936, directed by Grigory Alexandrov. The main female lead, Marion Dixon, is a gifted singer who has an African American baby and deals with all the racial issues surrounding her child. She escapes from the U.S. because she was no longer accepted and ends up staying in the USSR. Marion hides her child from the circus community so she doesn't get shunned again. Her life does seem to take a turn for the better as the Soviet people welcome her and her baby in their world with love and happiness in the end. I liked how in the finale all the Soviet people are passing the baby around and singing him a lullaby, and he no longer cries anymore.
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It is indeed striking how much of the film's music is diegetic. And you're right that the women (both Marion and Raechka) have very big roles in this film...in fact they are the ones who untie the knots and fix everything up at the end.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on the fact that Circus was a lot more light hearted and enjoyable to watch than some of the other films we have seen so far. It is very interesting to see the way that the aspect of Soviet Realism was portrayed in contrast to the blatant way it was shown in Chapaev.
ReplyDeleteI agree that, apart from the absolutely over-the-top ending, the Socialist Realism in *Circus* is portrayed really rather subtly and effectively
ReplyDeleteThe diegetic music wasn't what I hadn't originally pictured for a film titled, "Circus" but it worked and felt right for the scenes. I agree that the whole story is unique, I wonder if Russian project's can ever be remake or have an alternate storyline/ending available to us.
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