Bridge demolition*

Classification in categories

• Formation of a group body (corps)
• Battle and nature
• Battle and technology

 

In the interplay of shot composition and camera the scene conveys the resolution of a tense mood between disquiet and composure in the process of joyful collectivization. In the dramaturgical structure, the scene is between a first image of community (>Demolition preparations) and an image of shocked disquiet (>The Captain/First victim). The latter is prefigured; the scene at first, in a prolonged shot, develops tension between the poles disquiet and composure (>EMU 1). This tension is staged by contrasting movement and standstill – on the level of shot composition as well as on the level of camera movement.

This tension is resolved in the dynamic interaction of shot composition and editing (>EMU 2). Introduced by a cinematic gesture of pointing, darkly lit group portraits of the squad alternate in shot/reverse shot technique with brightly lit shots of the bridge to be demolished in the film’s narrative. The brightness of the reverse shots is literally inscribed on the group portraits as the emanation of light - and in this way allows the experience of the joy that characterizes the collectivization conveyed by the shot composition and also expressed in facial expressions.    JHB

Expressive movement units

01 02 

Materials about the scene

Position of the scene in the film