PERFECT, GENUINE, COMPLETE, CRYSTALLINE, CLEAR
(REMAKE OF APOCALYPSE NOW) – 2008
The dialogue of the 1979 movie – Apocalypse Now – isolated from the storyline, and performed through ‘method acting’. This footage is presented in real time to include mood shots of actors and crew. The sound is muted when actors are not performing dialogue. This concept relies on an analysis of the psychological relation implicit to contemporary cinema. The hypothesis being that the hierarchical structure of the director infiltrates the content of the film. This relationship may therefore me read as its content.
The choice of Apocalypse Now to explore this theme is on account of: 1) A claims to be critical of the imperial structure of U.S. Foreign Policy, which is implicit in its adaptation of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. However a war is used as backdrop for a psychological drama between members of that military force, thereby reinforcing the centrality of their subjecthoods. 2) The psychological dimensions of the character of Kurtz reflects the theme of the director-as-dictatorial-figure within the structure of a film crew. 3) The cult status of “Heart of Darkness” implies a fractal self-referentiality within the medium of popular cinema. This allows meaning to be conveyed on a formal level.
- Scene 2
Duration: 50 minutes
Actors and crew:
Willard – Georges Devdariani
Chef – Jasper van der Heijden
Lance – Maarten Hutten
Clean – Fransceso Camacho
Chief – Willem Hoebink
Camera & Location sound – Battal Kurt & Brian McKenna
- Scenes 3
Duration: 85 minutes
Actors and crew:
Lance – Maarten Hutten
Director – Gijs Wahl
Priest – Gijs Wahl
Man with megaphone – Gijs Wahl
Camera & Location sound – Battal Kurt & Brian McKenna
- Scenes 4
Duration: 25 minutes
Actors and crew:
Willard Georges Devdariani
Chef – Jasper van der Heijden
Lance – Maarten Hutten
Clean – Fransceso Camacho
Chief – Willem Hoebink
Camera & Location sound – Battal Kurt & Brian McKenna
Supported by Dutch Ministry of Edcucation, Culture and Science & Van Bijleveltstichting
Productions stills:
