Spring Break
'Waltz with Bashir' shreds creative limits, presents new perspectives
Ruben Casas
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Diversions
Waltz with Bashir
Sony Pictures Classics
Five stars
Runtime: 86 minutes
Starring: Ari Folman, Serge Lalou, Gerhard Meixner, Yael Nahlielt, Roman Paul
Plot: A soldier is on the edge of reality as he must deal with his experiences in the armed services in Lebanon
Ari Folman's film, "Waltz with Bashir," attempts to take its viewers on the same delusional ride that Folman himself went through when conceiving the movie. Though its 3-D animation might make some wary of its potential, Folman's reasoning for depicting his subject in such a way couldn't be more legitimate.
The movie begins with Folman and a friend at a bar, the friend relaying a recurring dream. In fact, the opening scene is the dream: 26 rabid dogs running through the streets, searching for (the friend). From that, we learn of the dogs' relevance, and it leads to the friend questioning Ari about what he remembers from the Lebanon War. Upon realizing that he doesn't remember a thing, Folman begins his attempt to piece together his memory.
From here on out, Folman conducts a series of interviews, some of which are very informal and with friends, and others in which the interviewees sit across from him in a studio. But neither of these is shown in person, which allowed Folman a clarity that oftentimes is absent from documentaries. He believed that, had he chosen to make the movie as most documentaries are - in person, shaky camera - the audience would have lost its patience, being forced to decipher what each person says as clunky sounds provide obnoxious ambience. The use of animation allowed him to not only cut out background noise, but to perfect the speech of each character, creating a film with loads of information and few chances to distract us from such.
And as the movie progresses, one realizes that Folman's decision couldn't have been better. Though the American version is subtitled, lessening the possibility of cluttered distracting background noise, the pristine sound quality makes the film that much more enjoyable. And as Ari searches for the answers of what happened during the time he spent fighting in the Lebanon War, the last thing needed is honks and yells.
Sony Pictures Classics
Five stars
Runtime: 86 minutes
Starring: Ari Folman, Serge Lalou, Gerhard Meixner, Yael Nahlielt, Roman Paul
Plot: A soldier is on the edge of reality as he must deal with his experiences in the armed services in Lebanon
Ari Folman's film, "Waltz with Bashir," attempts to take its viewers on the same delusional ride that Folman himself went through when conceiving the movie. Though its 3-D animation might make some wary of its potential, Folman's reasoning for depicting his subject in such a way couldn't be more legitimate.
The movie begins with Folman and a friend at a bar, the friend relaying a recurring dream. In fact, the opening scene is the dream: 26 rabid dogs running through the streets, searching for (the friend). From that, we learn of the dogs' relevance, and it leads to the friend questioning Ari about what he remembers from the Lebanon War. Upon realizing that he doesn't remember a thing, Folman begins his attempt to piece together his memory.
From here on out, Folman conducts a series of interviews, some of which are very informal and with friends, and others in which the interviewees sit across from him in a studio. But neither of these is shown in person, which allowed Folman a clarity that oftentimes is absent from documentaries. He believed that, had he chosen to make the movie as most documentaries are - in person, shaky camera - the audience would have lost its patience, being forced to decipher what each person says as clunky sounds provide obnoxious ambience. The use of animation allowed him to not only cut out background noise, but to perfect the speech of each character, creating a film with loads of information and few chances to distract us from such.
And as the movie progresses, one realizes that Folman's decision couldn't have been better. Though the American version is subtitled, lessening the possibility of cluttered distracting background noise, the pristine sound quality makes the film that much more enjoyable. And as Ari searches for the answers of what happened during the time he spent fighting in the Lebanon War, the last thing needed is honks and yells.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.