'Man with a Movie Camer' and 'A Propos de Nice' Silent Film Essay

Discuss how far your chosen films reflect aesthetic qualities associated with a particular film movement.

'Man with a Movie Camera' (MWAMC) and 'A Propos de Nice' reflect aesthetic qualities associated with constructivism and the technological advancements in the film industry during its era and region it was filmed in. 'MWAMC' reflects aesthetic qualities through Vertov's use of the 'Kuleshov effect' and juxtaposition and 'A Propos de Nice' reflects aesthetic qualities by celebrating concepts of communism and revolution.

'MWAMC' reflects aesthetic qualities linked with constructivism and technological advancements through the 'Kuleshov effect'. In the scene displaying the trains and trams, there's a juxtaposition of shots between the bike and the train, where we see older technology compared to the technology that was modern at the time. This links to constructivism since it was influenced by Italian futurism, the art movement that celebrated newer technology emerging into the modern society. In the next scene, we see the trams move progressively quicker. This celebrates constructivism in the Soviet Union where the film was shot, and gives the idea to spectators that the Soviet Union was one of the most technologically innovated countries at the time; however, this isn't the case as we now know the Soviet Union was underdeveloped compared to other countries, making Vertov an 'unreliable narrator' as the pragmatics suggest otherwise. Vertov represents the Soviet Union because of its propagandist nature. Vertov is celebrating technological advancements, using expressive filmmaking techniques to emphasise and exaggerate its existence in the Soviet Union. The spectators at the time would've been a more passive audience, so they wouldn't think of questioning or criticising the films reliability, which makes it easier for Vertov to brainwash the people who see it. They'd be a passive audience because documentary films were uncommon at the time, especially in the Soviet Union. When the film was released, they'd all go to the cinema, which would have been a rare and special occasion. This means that they wouldn't have questioned any messages created as experiencing cinema was new to most spectators, they'd know no-better than to accept all pragmatics as they're given.

Secondly, 'MWAMC' reflects constructivism and technological advancements by displaying constructivist values of disassociating with symbols of capitalist Russia. The key sequence for this scene is the 'melting' of the Bolshoi Theatre. Vertov achieves this 'melting' sequence by covering a side of the camera, then rotating it left and right with two different shots to create this split-screen illusion. Vertov uses this sequence in the film to convey the message the bourgeoisie have brought their own demise upon themselves. This makes the spectator believe with propagandist Vertov's views support the Soviet Union, so doing this in filmmaking allows him to express his hatred towards the bourgeoisie and the former-capitalist Soviet Union. 

Also, in 'A Propos De Nice', the same ideas are present where Vigo uses cross-cutting between a bourgeois lady and an industrial factory. There's close-ups of the rich lady and her jewellery, but then it cuts to the industrial factories. This is done to weaken the bourgeois and create the idea that she lacks importance, and to portray communist ideas to the spectator.

Overall, 'MWAMC' reflects constructivism and technological advancements,by showing how society is evolving with technology and that communism is rising with this and capitalism is falling. This is done to try pursuade the spectator that communism is a development in itself, and the future of modern society. 'A Propos De Nice' reflects this too, by showing the juxtaposition between the wealthy, decadent citizens of Nice and the poverty of the backstreets. Vigo juxtaposes these extremes to make the spectator aware of the inequalities in French society at the time and to get the spectator to agree with his communist views.