Salaryman by Jake Knight

It is clear from the beginning of this film that the director delves into themes of depression and repetition, we see the main protagonist carry out his mundane daily routine, displaying no sense of emotion, his lack of character deems him almost robotic. I believe the director is trying to express the insignificance of this mans life, the camera angles help to justify this as they place the character in a labyrinth of entrapment, though there is natural light sources, no sense of naturalism is apparent .

The main focus of this film would be evidence that the technologically advanced city of Tokyo has consumed this man, his job rules his life, his future is bleak and his connection to society is as miniscule as meeting colleagues at a printer.

This was my favorite film out of all the pieces shown, the extreme wide shots evoke a contemporary style of film making and something I personally enjoy, every scene is composed carefully dramatically warping the audiences perspective. The use of a desaturated colour palate suggested that the soul of the man has slowly began to displace its self from his body.

In terms of subject matter I believe the film was successful, as the elements of the films design relate directly to the theme. We are able to spectate this mans life from a distance, the camera angles retain a certain amount of composition that constrains us from interpolating ourselves into his experience. The location promotes this theme of insomnia, we never see the man sleep, and when he is motionless he is abruptly forced to continue until he reaches his destination, work or home, both of which resemble a prison like form. His block of flats have no colour, each no different from the other, his metropolis of lifelessness.

I noticed that not one of the shots used in this film moves, each and every scene derives the use of a tripod, however it enhances the angular scenery producing a geometric impression. Frequently the non-diegetic sound of a camera and a sudden flash on the screen reveals itself, thus relating to the camera placed around the mans neck, this small aspect of post production indicates a key element of the piece. The use of narration creates a greater relationship with the protagonist, we understand this mans inherent thoughts, subjecting more detail and our limited point of view becomes multidimensional as he reveals his suppressed feelings.