Hi guys! Can someone PLEASE take a look at my Mod C essay, I have UMAT tomorrow and paper 2 the day after so I have virtually no time to fix it tomorrow which is why I'm in desperate need today. Thank you so much.
‘Successful drama and film are an engaging blend of passionate ideas artfully expressed’.
Is this your view of the drama or film text studied? Support your response through a close analysis of your text.
The idea of a film is to captivate an audience through the expression of societally relevant ideas in an intricate and innovative manner, artistically speaking. Successful films are able to do this with greater precision, and convince the audience of the ideas resonated with a dependence on its artistic finesse. Orson Welles’ 1941 film Citizen Kane demonstrates such a notion, as the highly profound use of art in its settings and music allows Welles to unlock & represent its key ideas, including the necessity of love, the corruption of power & the abnormalities of human nature.
I like this introduction. Really well written and you introduce key ideas. Perhaps a reference to specific techniques such as German Expressionist lighting would be beneficial too.The success of Citizen Kane can be appreciated at a much greater scale considering the backlash that the film faced due to its controversial depiction of William Randolph Hearst. Yet, the never-seen-before style of the movie along with numerous moments of visual bravura allowed Welles to unlock the maximum potential of the film. Most notably, the fragmented structure of the film allows Welles to express his protagonist, Charles Foster Kane, in a more broken sense. Such artistic innovation new to the film industry catalysed the success of the film. The idea of following an achronological pattern throughout the film whilst retelling the story of Kane through ‘witnesses’ provides the audience with a deeper understanding of the film. The unusual structure of the film highlights Kane as a confusing man, whose life has been a search for “a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle”, symbolised by the famous “Rosebud”. The non-linear investigative narrative structure of the film is its most radical departure from conventional Hollywood storytelling. The use of various flashbacks whilst centralising 6 different characters recalling key events of Kane’s life enables Welles to portray the many different facets of Kane’s character. He is able to explore the inner contradictions and complexity of human nature/behaviour.
Have an example here of a scene that exemplifies this or contrast some of the characters perspectives of him. Such artistic uniqueness, especially in the literary aspect of the film, adds to Citizen Kane’s excellence as a motion picture. The idea that human nature cannot be understood by a simple chronological pattern, but is made up of the various fragments, a metaphorical “jigsaw puzzle”, is resonated through such a form of artistic expression.
You have explained this very well but need more techniques to back it up. For instance, you could explore how the film reflects both the enigmatic and rosebud interpretation if you have gone into this in class.The film is hence able to engage the audience by artfully expressing passionate ideas which blend together to provide Citizen Kane with its rightful title as ‘the greatest film ever made’.
An essential idea that resonates throughout the film is the influence of love on an individual’s life - especially the kind of love.
A bit vague. What kind of love? How ambition and power corrupts love? Welles characterises Charles Foster Kane as a selfish media mogul and public figure, who demands everything, including love, “on his own terms”. He satirises the supposedly materialistic nature of love through the allusion to William Randolph Hearst’s San Simeon by portraying “Xanadu” as a similar tribute and portrayal of love for his wife, Susan Alexander Kane. Unconditional love, however, is inexistent in this relationship, symbolised through the unnaturally vast distance between the couple as Susan solves puzzles within the “world’s largest private pleasure ground”.
Film techniques? Discuss how the use of German Expressionist lighting adds to their isolation. The artistic expression of such a notion adds to the film’s undeniable greatness.
A bit vague and unclear. It is furthered through Gregg Toland’s controlled yet significant use of deep focus throughout the film, adding to the one-of-a-kind nature of Welles’ masterpiece. The use of deep focus as Kane’s mother and Thatcher discuss his future in the boyhood scene captures Kane in an area of complete freedom and happiness which can be credited to his surrounding maternal love - a source of unconditional love. His removal from this environment puts him on a quest for such attraction, which places him next to the maternal Susan Alexander, which is signified through the vibrant lighting of the room as Susan sings for Kane on their initial meeting. Such an idea is further captivated and reflected through the mise-en-scene at the Inquirer’s office, post-election loss. The mess that exists, in conjunction with the walls covered in posters of Kane himself reflect the idea that Kane learned to love himself, but never gained love from others.
Perhaps you could link this back to the quote that Kane didn't have any love to give or how the burning sled at the end of the film highlights how his loss and death was a result of the lack of love that began with his mother abandoning him? Another innovative aspect of the film, the visible ceilings within the same scene, allows Welles to provide his audience with a more authentic approach to the idea he explores, and through such artistic class, he is able to create a unique filmgoing experience for his audience.
Citizen Kane also conveys an important and powerful idea regarding the ultimately corrupting nature of power. The discussion of such an idea through the intricately crafted artistic elements provide the film with a unique framework that instantly raises the film’s value on a social scale.
Still a bit vague. Need more clear ideas, this reads a bit like a movie review rather than essay. This idea is explored through various scenes throughout the film. The extremely large banner that watches over Kane and the crowd during his rally is example of this - it symbolises the supernatural scale of power that Kane possesses. His line “I will ensure the conviction of Boss Jim W. Gettys” highlights his abusive nature due to the power he owns. Kane is
disillusioned by the thinking that he can control anyone and everyone, which Leland specifically refers to as he confronts Kane about his misuse of power, “you talk about the people as if you own them.” A moment of visual bravura, however, that best depicts this notion whilst confirming the deservedness of the film’s success is the scene of the signing of the Declaration of Principles. The Declaration can be interpreted as an allusion to the Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776. This is suggestive of Kane’s intentions to have complete control over the media industry through the Inquirer. The scene begins with a medium shot of Kane and Leland by the window, appearing locked in it. Kane proceeds to write the Declaration on the window, suggesting its importance to the everyday reader of the Inquirer. The corrupting nature of his power, however, is best demonstrated through the strikingly symbolic use of lighting within the scene. Kane promises to make his Principles as noble and important “as the gas in that light”. His face falls into darkness as he signs the Declaration, however, foreshadowing his ultimately corrupted intentions.
Fantastic! My personal favourite scene to choose. Could possibly link this to Hearst and the rise of yellow/sensationalist journalism for context. Shadow separates Kane from the rest of the two characters, and such a cinematographic touch allows Welles to explore this idea whilst ensuring that normal conventions regarding the idea are not followed. Hence, the exploration of the corrupting nature of power through artistic talent contributes greatly to the success of Citizen Kane.
In conclusion, the navigation through notions involving true human nature in regards to love and power in an artistically influenced manner creates Citizen Kane as the grand film that it is widely regarded as even today. It highlights the recipe for success in the filmmaking industry, as Orson Welles is able to create “the greatest film ever made” in his first attempt by bewildering his audience with unusual and unconventional techniques involving camerawork and settings.
Could make more clear links here, for instance the disjointed structure of the film with the idea that Kane is a complex figure, the use of German Expressionist lighting to link to his corruption or isolation. A great essay with a need for just a bit more analysis and stronger more clear arguments to make it sound less like a film review. That's my thoughts at least! Hope that helps! 
P.S. This is for Mod B not Mod C right?
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Topic: URGENT English Advanced MOD C (Read 589 times)