A demonstration of the bare essence of filmmaking, or a simple 6 minute sensory onslaught? Well, I think it's both. Whether or not you enjoy watching it, Kubelka is making a point. I guess you've gotta at least give him some credit for that.
And here's a little note about the film by critic Fred Camper:
Arnulf Rainer’s images are the most reduced of all — this is a film composed entirely of frames of solid black and solid white which Kubelka strings together in lengths as long as 24 seconds and as short as a single frame. When he alternates between single black and white frames, a rapid flicker effect is produced, which is as close as Kubelka can come to the somewhat more rapid flicker of motion-picture projection; during the long sections of darkness one waits in nervous anticipation for the flicker to return, without knowing precisely which form it will take. But Arnulf Rainer is not merely a study of film rhythm and flicker. In reducing the cinema to its essentials, Kubelka has not stripped it of meaning, but rather made an object which has qualities so general as to suggest a variety of possible meanings, each touching on some essential aspect of existence.
Some of these short films are becoming difficult to watch, especially those with flickering images. I don't mind the minimal blank screen and white noise whatsoever, but physically, my eyes are taking a beating! They're straining to watch!
According to wikipedia, when this was shown in theaters a cowl would be placed over each seat to isolate the viewer from other audience members. I imagine that seeing this in a theater would have a dramatically more profound impact than seeing it on youtube on your home computer.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 35
Rohit
A beautiful and sad tale of Kubelka's CAMERA NOT WORKINGBillieDove
Suddenly Brakhage sounds like so much fun.Gershwin
The dialogue definitely was better than the visuals.Kowry
Nice camera work, but I was put off by the acting.igft
At first I was really enjoying it, but then I finished eating my last slice of pizza and, from that moment on, the experience became quite unpleasant.caiman
A demonstration of the bare essence of filmmaking, or a simple 6 minute sensory onslaught? Well, I think it's both. Whether or not you enjoy watching it, Kubelka is making a point. I guess you've gotta at least give him some credit for that.ChrisReynolds
This is the sort of the thing that's used to torture people by secretive intelligence agencies.EssexMutant
Minimal plot development.criscoJovan
And here's a little note about the film by critic Fred Camper:Arnulf Rainer’s images are the most reduced of all — this is a film composed entirely of frames of solid black and solid white which Kubelka strings together in lengths as long as 24 seconds and as short as a single frame. When he alternates between single black and white frames, a rapid flicker effect is produced, which is as close as Kubelka can come to the somewhat more rapid flicker of motion-picture projection; during the long sections of darkness one waits in nervous anticipation for the flicker to return, without knowing precisely which form it will take. But Arnulf Rainer is not merely a study of film rhythm and flicker. In reducing the cinema to its essentials, Kubelka has not stripped it of meaning, but rather made an object which has qualities so general as to suggest a variety of possible meanings, each touching on some essential aspect of existence.
criscoJovan
Some of these short films are becoming difficult to watch, especially those with flickering images. I don't mind the minimal blank screen and white noise whatsoever, but physically, my eyes are taking a beating! They're straining to watch!Xondar
This movie gave me a headache. Imagine watching it in a movie theatre as it was intended to be shown. shuddermabu mabu
That was awfulwowwee123
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMIEzCcoHYEbulmer
According to wikipedia, when this was shown in theaters a cowl would be placed over each seat to isolate the viewer from other audience members. I imagine that seeing this in a theater would have a dramatically more profound impact than seeing it on youtube on your home computer.george4mon
this is what happens when you fuck a cameraShowing items 1 – 15 of 35