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Experimental Video: The Past is Never Dead


The Past is Never Dead

 The idea of the video is inspired by the game series called Rusty Lake. 

Logo of the game series

When I read "march backwards into the future" by McLuhan, Rusty Lake was the first thing I thought of. It uses a surrealistic and symbolic narration to depict the relationship between the past, present, future and the inescapable fate.


“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” ― William Faulkner


I used this quote from Rusty Lake in the video, originally from the novel Requiem for a Nun by William Faulkner. As we move ever forward into the future, we cannot predict the future, but can only see the past. When the past becomes a memory, becomes a fact, it also becomes a destiny; and when we face the future - in fact, we face the past - we still cannot escape the shackles of fate. Water, trees, and tarot cards symbolize destiny, and although the tarot can tell fortunes, the predictions are still the reflection of the past.


The scenes in the video, except for the eyes, are all played backwards, literally "march backwards". And the ticking sound in the background indicates the passage of time. At the end of the video, the scene of making the call is played backwards, but the audio is played forward. So, when the phone is hung up, "I" (or whoever you think it is) picks up the phone at the same time. In this moment, everything is happening again in the past, as the caller says: "Let's make some memories."



Comments

  1. Bella Lorane (she/her)January 17, 2023 at 9:48 AM

    WOW! This is my first film art class and working with this material. All I've got to say is this is AMAZING and I would love to learn from you. Its dark, yet captivating. The constant ticking leaves me on edge and wanting more. Beautifully done! :)

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  2. Roger GwallJanuary 17, 2023 at 12:04 PM

    It might scare the shit outta me but I'd still wear a diaper to see "The Past is Never Dead Pt. 2"
    Great stuff!!

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  3. Nayla BrunnbauerJanuary 17, 2023 at 7:07 PM

    May I just say, the tone of that film was gripping! I love it!!! The melodic ticking and the shots playing in reverse compliment each other in a such a fantastic and eerie way. I also loved reading you explanation of why you did what you did in the film. If this is the tone of Rusty Lake, then I really want to go play it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rongyan SongJanuary 17, 2023 at 9:35 PM

    I really love your film. That looks soooooo cool! I think it's really wise to connect the game Rusty Lake with McLuhan's book. And your explanation about the film makes me want to try the game.

    ReplyDelete
  5. gaveJanuary 17, 2023 at 10:04 PM

    Really neat film, the editing rhythms pair really nicely with the content (clock ticking, etc.). The eyes look great, especially that initial track into them, and editing gives a lot of purpose to that gaze. I love the ambient windy/white noise, it adds a nice subtle brooding backdrop.

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