Man with a Movie Camera

Question 1

What is the City Symphony film movement?

Answer 1

• European films filmed in cities.
• Experimental with visual elements and techniques, such as camera shots and camera movements.
• Invention of the concept of scenes.
• Seen as poetic documentaries.
• Avent-garde artists movement.
• Artistic concept of creating an atmosphere and mood over characters and narrative.

Question 2

Who is A Propos de Nice directed by?

Answer 2

The film was directed by Jean Vigo.

Question 3

What year was A Propos de Nice released in?

Answer 3

The film was released in 1930.

Question 4

Analyse A Propos de Nice.

Answer 4

• Expressionistic poetic documentary.
• Shows the different aspects of society at the time as well as the difference between classes, as the film cuts between workers and people leisurely relaxing.
• Close-ups focus on people.
• Camera movement, such as aerial and tilting camera shots, are used to show the film’s location and to show the different aspects of society.

Question 5

Who is Man with a Movie Camera directed by?

Answer 5

The film is directed by Dziga Vertov.

Question 6

Analyse Man with a Movie Camera’s self-reflexive cinematography.

Answer 6

• The camerman is Vertov’s brother Mikhail Kaufman and throughout the film he is shown setting up his camera in various places, showing the inner workings of the film.
• Kaufman is filmed while he is filming footage for the film, giving a behind the scenes look at how the film was made.
• The long shot of Kaufman operating his camera while stood on a moving car and filming another car is an example of the behind the scenes look.
• Other examples of the behind the scenes look include Kaufman filming while driving a motorcycle, riding on trains and lying under railway tracks.

Question 7

Analyse Man with a Movie Camera’s self-reflexive editing.

Answer 7

• Vertov’s wife Yelizaveta Svilova is shown editing the film, which has the same impact as showing Kaufman as the audience are given an insight into how the film was edited.
• The editing is experimental, with iconic visuals being created by different editing techniques.
• The opening shot of the film is of Kaufman standing on top of a movie camera, which was accomplished using split screen.

Question 8

Analyse Man with a Movie Camera’s modernity and industrialisation.

Answer 8

• Shows the modern machines of the city.
• The entire film is filmed using the kinamo camera, which was popular and practical due to its light weight, making it easy to carry around.
• There are many shots of vehicles and transport, which are also incorporated into the filming as various moving shots are filmed from cars, trains and even a bike.
• There are multiple shots of industry, showing factory machines and workers, with one example being a montage of a mine.

Question 9

Analyse Man with a Movie Camera’s modernity and socialisation.

Answer 9

• Showcases the many aspects of society.
• The film shows a person at the hairdressers, people enjoying leisurely sports and people enjoying drinks together.
• The montage of sports is an example of the editing, as slow-motion and freeze frames are used.