What’s “Brechtian”?
February 17, 2006 | 6 Comments
Twice in the last month I’ve heard things referred to as “Brechtian”. I was curious the first time and read up on it. The second time it was buried in the bottom of a color coded “hilarity meter” on The Daily Show. I got to feel real cool when I knew the reference and could explain it to Sara. I figured everyone should be “smart” like me.
From the Wikipedia entry on Bertolt Brecht:
Brecht created an influential theory of theatre, the epic theatre, wherein a play should not cause the spectator to emotionally identify with the action before him or her, but should instead provoke rational self-reflection and a critical view of the actions on the stage.
For this purpose, Brecht employed the use of techniques that remind the spectator that the play is a representation of reality and not reality itself [...]. Such techniques included the direct address by actors to the audience, exaggerated, unnatural stage lighting, the use of song, and explanatory placards.
A perfect example of this is Dogville, starring Nicole Kidman.
Tags: "bertoldt brecht", brechtian, dogville, nicole kidman, the daily show, theater
Good Night, and Good Luck
October 23, 2005 | 7 Comments
George Clooney was on The Daily Show promoting his new movie, Good Night, and Good Luck. After hearing him talk about it along with the short clip shown, I was hooked.
This is a Warner Independent Pictures film done in black and white with a bunch of real footage mixed in. The cinematography alone interests me, but more importantly, the story revolves around the real life conflict between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950’s. McCarthy was on a witch hunt for communists and Murrow plus his newsroom staff at CBS stood up to him in an extremely public feud.
Unfortunately, as an independent film it isn’t getting shown on as many screens as I would hope. Right now the closest place to see it is in Boston. Now I’m trying to find an excuse to be in Boston so I can see this. Probably won’t happen and I’ll have to wait for the DVD.
Tags: 1950s, black and white, cbs, clooney, Daily Show, edward r murrow, george clooney, good night and good luck, independent film, joseph mccarthy, mccarthy, murrow, newsroom, press, the daily show, warner independent pictures