Man with a movie camera

Week 4 – This week’s film Man with a movie camera was directed by Dziga Vertov. Vertov created a beautiful documentary with no narration. Typically I do not love black and white films with no words but this blew my mind. Vertov created such montages that one could only admire with the fast flashing images of the unique View point of life in the city. As I sat down with I was pretty hésitant with the train track scene I still did not understand what he was trying to convey. However, it was truly a piece of art. During the film I had to pause quite often because I was trying to understand and gather my thoughts or it possibly could have been the red wine narrating my thoughts on what is the meaning of this film and why ? Vertov uses freeze frames to capture the essence of the city life. In certain parts of the film I saw people not to pleased to see him all in their face with a camera but that’s what made this so special. Vertov created something so raw that the people caught on film were even frustrated and annoyed with him. Like the lady signing her divorce papers or the lady on the bench who walked away with frustration. Vertov reminded us that this was film by using reflexivity. I think I grew uncomfortable when we saw the lady at the grave.I feel like somethings are private however, grievence in real and this is a film based off of life in the busy metropolis city. I think this is a great film that should be in everyones collection at home and of course not of everyday view but just for pure admiration and appreciation of cinema.