Film Analysis - 'Under the Skin' (Directed by Jonathan Glazer)
Official Trailer (1) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcR5KHjoc-0
Wiki Page (for convenience) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Skin_(2013_film)
The film 'Under the Skin', directed by Jonathan Glazer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Glazer) is an impressive piece consisting or relatively unique visual and audible mediums, everything about this film produces a sense of purpose that greatly relies upon the individual to interpret it in the way they see fit (, no two people should see this film exactly the same way). The film features the famed actress 'Scarlett Johansson' who took a (rewarding) chance performing in such an experimental piece of cinematography; (especially seeing as how the film has occasionally been dubbed as 'Scarlett Johansson simply driving around in a van' however that is a crude summary of the film and I will state why later on.
'Under the Skin' focuses heavily upon the idea of humanity as a concept, the belief that empathy is an essential and ever present part of civilised human society, however throughout the film the audience is exposed to a number of scenes that convey empathy/humanity as being a weakness that when viewed from an alien perspective almost makes humanity appear pathetic, near insect like. The film toys with what it means to be human and in some way could be seen as insulting as it belittles many of our ideals and common beliefs; the director almost certainly wanted the film to make the audience feel this way, especially when you consider the audio used.
'Under the Skin' Soundtrack : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTHDD1Xe-iE&list=PLdXTrQKcEBVrWCSfLP8TjL7CgJBLfrKaA
The audio featured in 'Under the Skin' plays a critical part in its story telling and character development, without it it would not be the same film in the slightest; most would agree that the soundtrack can best be described as haunting, almost sickly; it seemingly invokes a sense of discomfort in those that hear it. The audio can best be described as inhuman, it defies everything it means to be alive whilst it resonates with a sort of contrasting organised chaos; it perfectly suits the unsettling social controversy that remains present throughout the duration of the film. Beyond the music is the general audio featured within the film, each scene seems intent on leaving an impression on the audience as even the most casual of settings become alienated with the sinister sounds they produce, even the sound of human voices becomes subject to this harsh malformation of audio as words and laughter present themselves as roars and primitive unintelligible babbling. The director seemingly intends to alienate the audience from the world of which they inhabit, we are meant to feel out of place in our own setting and by separating us from what we know, we are simply left with the fear of facing the inevitable and oncoming presence of the unknown.
The film preys upon the idealistic idea of safety and contentment by leaving us in a mental trap impressed upon us by the very society we exist within; it toys with the idea that humanity is not capable of surviving so long as it is plagued with empathy and emotion, the director makes it blatantly clear that humanity corrupts and weakens all forms of life of which it inhabits, ultimately conveying a haunting and terrible sense of mortality that transcends even (organic) life.
Wiki Page (for convenience) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Skin_(2013_film)
The film 'Under the Skin', directed by Jonathan Glazer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Glazer) is an impressive piece consisting or relatively unique visual and audible mediums, everything about this film produces a sense of purpose that greatly relies upon the individual to interpret it in the way they see fit (, no two people should see this film exactly the same way). The film features the famed actress 'Scarlett Johansson' who took a (rewarding) chance performing in such an experimental piece of cinematography; (especially seeing as how the film has occasionally been dubbed as 'Scarlett Johansson simply driving around in a van' however that is a crude summary of the film and I will state why later on.'Under the Skin' focuses heavily upon the idea of humanity as a concept, the belief that empathy is an essential and ever present part of civilised human society, however throughout the film the audience is exposed to a number of scenes that convey empathy/humanity as being a weakness that when viewed from an alien perspective almost makes humanity appear pathetic, near insect like. The film toys with what it means to be human and in some way could be seen as insulting as it belittles many of our ideals and common beliefs; the director almost certainly wanted the film to make the audience feel this way, especially when you consider the audio used.
'Under the Skin' Soundtrack : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTHDD1Xe-iE&list=PLdXTrQKcEBVrWCSfLP8TjL7CgJBLfrKaA
The audio featured in 'Under the Skin' plays a critical part in its story telling and character development, without it it would not be the same film in the slightest; most would agree that the soundtrack can best be described as haunting, almost sickly; it seemingly invokes a sense of discomfort in those that hear it. The audio can best be described as inhuman, it defies everything it means to be alive whilst it resonates with a sort of contrasting organised chaos; it perfectly suits the unsettling social controversy that remains present throughout the duration of the film. Beyond the music is the general audio featured within the film, each scene seems intent on leaving an impression on the audience as even the most casual of settings become alienated with the sinister sounds they produce, even the sound of human voices becomes subject to this harsh malformation of audio as words and laughter present themselves as roars and primitive unintelligible babbling. The director seemingly intends to alienate the audience from the world of which they inhabit, we are meant to feel out of place in our own setting and by separating us from what we know, we are simply left with the fear of facing the inevitable and oncoming presence of the unknown.
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