My dear friend and classmate Anthony Beltran made a film called "Rebel" for his senior project. He pulled themes and concepts from the films "Rebel Without A Cause" and "They Shoot Horses Don't They". While the recurring themes of teenage angst, self-destruction, violence, and perseverance were all really interesting and focused on, it was the cinematography that I was captivated by. The scenes in the woods, the different angles of the actors, and the fantastic editing are what really told the story. Just like in theatre, film creates conventions that send a message or a reminder of a certain aspect of the story. In "Rebel", there was a focus and parallel between the violent adults and the violent teenagers. The counselor's rage and outburst in the hallway mirrored the tough guys violent outburst with his girlfriend. The psycho "kitten-torturing" kid would have small moments throughout the film with a creepy and menacing smile, a repeated symbol to emphasize the boy's insanity.
But perhaps my favorite moment in the entire film is when all of the students are watching the film "They Shoot Horses Don't They" and the scene from the movie, when the man shoots the woman, reflects off of the psycho boy's face. It's an absolutely marvelous moment that bring insight into the character's development as a creep and loony. The scene is also reminiscent to the scene in "Psycho" where the skeleton head is apart of the faint transition into Norman Bates' face.
Some really good visual moments and symbols they not only stimulate my academic brain, but make my sympathetic heart burst with pride for my peer.
Awesome connections and analysis here.
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