|
| • Advanced Search • Help |
Timecode | Year: 2000 Classification: Drama Directed: - Mike Figgis Actors/Actresses: - Holly Hunter - Jeanne Tripplehorn - Julian Sands - Saffron Burrows - Salma Hayek The Future...? So you know by now that this is a film, shot on digital video, presented with the screen divided into quadrants with the action and focus shifting and flowing from one section to the other. This seems like it would be a hard way to watch a film but I found that there was a definite rhythym to the action and that you could actually ignore parts of the screen and still follow the basic action of that scene and how it contributed to the whole. Groundbreaking Split into four different sections, Mike Figgis' new film Timecode deals with the barriers people set up around themselves and how, even though we are all separated into our own microcosms, we are all connected. One of the main themes throughout the film is communication. Massive use of cell phones and intercoms shows the paradox of our lonely 'global village' in which we use our technology to bring the world together while at the same time isolating ourselves. The symbolism of the four sections is astounding, truly this is a film to be experienced. The story centers around a handful of people in a small production studio. An older jealous lesbian follows her younger lover with surveillance equipment to find she is cheating on her with a producer who is still in love with a woman who left him. A movie director tries to get his film made amidst all of this trouble, while the executives argue over political controversy and money, the security guard does drugs with an actress in the bathroom, and Julian Sands gives new age massages to all involved. Each section of the screen is a continuously shot DV camera focusing more or less on one character. There is no editing and a good deal of the actors' dialogue is improvised. It may take a few minutes to become used to watching four separate actions taking place, but through music cues and well-timed action, one is able to follow the story clearly. Mike Figgis' music adds to the story successfully as it did in Leaving Las Vegas, his music expressing the loneliness felt by the characters in this movie. There are times the dialgoue slowly fades down and a short 'musical montage' takes place - the actors and the music expressing the message of the story successfully without dialogue. The main song is titled "Comfort of Strangers" that being the theme of the film. Unfortunately, Timecode, being a low budget independent film was only released for a short while in a few theaters in major cities. Hopefully this movie will come out soon on VHS and DVD so that it may reach larger audiences. Truly original and clever, Timecode is an interesting look at people and our double nature to yearn for connection and our necessity to set up barriers. Watch it four times, and it might make sense Timecode is a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life - the business, the politics, the jealously, and even the drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll. Salma Hayek plays Rose, an aspiring actress who will do anything to get an audition - even if it means cheating on her jealous lover (Jeanne Tripplehorn) with a male film exec (Stellan Skarsgard). But I said that Timecode is unique, right? Well, it is. It had no script - just a story, four digital videocams, and a bunch of actors who could improvise their way through 90 minutes of filming. The four cameras shot non-stop - no cuts, just one take. The entire film was shot 15 times - and the final one was released. No editing was required because viewers see the footage from all four cameras - simultaneously. The screen is divided into four quarters, and it's up to the viewer to decide which one to watch. Believe me - it's not exactly an easy task. Though you're often given audio hints (the sound of one quarter will dominate for a while), you'll still keep jumping from quarter to quarter, trying to figure out what's going on - and what you've missed. It's definitely not a movie to watch if you're not completely alert. It is, however, very interesting. And while I wouldn't say that this is one of my favorite movies, it's still an interesting experience. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, it's worth checking out. If you happen to pick up a copy of the DVD, you'll find all kinds of goodies. The special features include the entire Version 1 of the film (and yes, it really is different) and an audio option that allows you to choose which dialogue you want to listen to. Perhaps, then, if you watch the entire movie four times, you'll be able to make sense of it all... Buy Timecode at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Timecode Search with the Priority Search Engine on Timecode This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
|
