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THE SOURCE

Today's film was the original version of

Brothers (2004)

I watched this as an exercise, mostly, to see the differences between the original and the Jim Sheridan version that I saw the other day.

The films are almost identical scene by scene in the sense of what is happening and what is said.

The difference is that the Danish original is shot in the "dogma" or "dogme" tradition. Actually a new tradition, but still.

There are a set of rules.

Filming must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in. If a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found.

The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. Music must not be used unless it occurs within the scene being filmed, i.e., diegetic.

The camera must be a hand-held camera. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. The film must not take place where the camera is standing; filming must take place where the action takes place.

The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable (if there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).

Optical work and filters are forbidden.

The film must not contain superficial action (murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)

Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden (that is to say that the film takes place here and now).

Genre movies are not acceptable.

The final picture must be transferred to the Academy 35mm film, with an aspect ratio of 4:3, that is, not widescreen. (Originally, the requirement was that the film had to be filmed on Academy 35mm film, but the rule was relaxed to allow low-budget productions.)

The director must not be credited.

Yet effective.

There is music in this film. There is recognition of the director. A few other things are passed over. But the spirit remains. Mostly, it is not Hollywood slick.

Is it better than the other version I saw?

Not more or less. It is different but the same.

It was a satisfying experience to see it and to see various decisions the two directors made but, then, I got swept up in the story again and my detachment fell apart. I was in the film.

I would give this one a 4 out of Netflix5 because I did not like the kid actors so much and the father was too big a prick to believe. This is part of the actors improvising more than usual I think but still.

Labels: films