Martin Scorsese's 2011 film "Hugo" is a cinematic masterpiece that weaves together elements of fantasy, history, and artistry to create a truly unique viewing experience. Set in 1930s Paris, the film tells the story of a young orphan named Hugo Cabret who lives in the walls of a train station, where he maintains the station's clocks and discovers a hidden world of wonder. As we delve into the film's enchanting elements and its cultural context, we uncover a tale that celebrates the magic of cinema and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Film Elements:
Visual Splendor: One of the most captivating aspects of "Hugo" is its visual prowess. Scorsese's direction, coupled with Robert Richardson's cinematography, transforms the train station into a living, breathing entity. The intricate set design, detailed costumes, and exquisite camera work immerse the audience in a vibrant and nostalgic version of 1930s Paris.
Homage to Cinema: "Hugo" pays tribute to the pioneers of filmmaking. Through Hugo's interactions, the film explores the transformative power of cinema, not only as a source of entertainment but also as a way to capture and preserve memories and emotions.
Narrative Complexity: Beyond its visual splendor, "Hugo" intertwines multiple narrative layers. At its core, it's a heartwarming story of a young boy's quest for belonging, but it also delves into the broader theme of lost dreams. The film seamlessly weaves these narratives, creating a rich tapestry of emotions.
Cultural Context:
Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The film's emphasis on the restoration and preservation of films mirrors a real-world concern for safeguarding cinematic history. In an era where technology rapidly evolves, "Hugo" serves as a reminder that the preservation of cultural heritage, including films, is vital for future generations.
Escapism in Troubled Times: Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and on the cusp of World War II, "Hugo" captures the role of cinema as an escape from harsh realities. Just as the characters find solace in the magic of the movies, audiences during challenging times turn to the silver screen for comfort and inspiration.
Innovation and Tradition: The film highlights the tension between innovation and tradition as Hugo navigates a changing world. This theme is mirrored in the characters' journeys, underscoring the need to strike a balance between embracing progress and cherishing tradition.
Discussion Questions:
- "Hugo" is rich with references to film history and the pioneers of cinema. How does the film incorporate these connections? Can you identify specific moments in the film that pay homage to notable figures or films from the past? (List at least 4, save one for the next question)
- As students familiar with film history, how does recognizing the connections and references in "Hugo" enhance your viewing experience? Do you find that it adds another layer of engagement to the film's narrative and themes? Share another example of a connection you personally appreciated and explain its significance.
- The film uses visual cues, dialogue, and settings to evoke the atmosphere of 1930s Paris and the early days of cinema. How do these elements work together to create a sense of immersion and transport the audience back in time? Discuss the impact of the film's attention to historical accuracy on your understanding of the characters' motivations and the overall story.
- Pick a scene/sequence and describe its mise en scene.
- Did you like this movie? Why/ Why not? Do you have a new found love for Thomas Edison? ;)
-------------------Trivia--------------------
"Hugo" also gave director Martin Scorsese the opportunity to make reference to his passion for film preservation and restoration. Scorsese is the founder and chair of The Film Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, and exhibition of classic cinema.
The first movie by Martin Scorsese fully shot in digital.
With Sir Christopher Lee having been born in 1922, makes him the only supporting actor to have lived in the age this movie is set: 1931.
- "Hugo" is rich with references to film history and the pioneers of cinema. How does the film incorporate these connections? Can you identify specific moments in the film that pay homage to notable figures or films from the past? (List at least 4, save one for the next question)
1.The film Hugo incorporates film history by showing the film a trip to the moon by George Melies multiple times in the film. An example of this is when Hugo and Isabella go to the library and head to the photography section and they come across the book Robin Hood and that is when Hugo mentions that he saw the movie and it featured Douglas Fairbanks. A little later on in the film at time stamp 41:41 Hugo mentions the film A Trip To The Moon which is a very iconic film in film history. At 1:10:20 in the film there is a short clip of the end of The Great Train Robbery where one of the cowboys breaks the fourth wall and shoots at the audience. During the same little sequence of clips there is a clip of Charlie Chaplin who was a big actor of his time. Much later on in the film at the time stamp 1:36:10 The first motion picture is mentioned which was the arrival of a train shown by the Lumiere brothers.
ReplyDelete2.The references in Hugo to film history enhanced my viewing experience by helping me understand what is going on in the storyline even more and being in tune to the characters emotions and being able to understand how shocking it must be to see a film for the first time. It adds another layer of engagement by being able to understand all the hard work that goes into making a film and how it creates a type of magic feeling which really helps me stay engaged in the film. I really appreciated how in this film it included George Melies as a main character because I was able to see someone that I have learned about come to life in the film. Not only that but also because it really helped the storyline go really in depth on film history.
3.In this film it helps transport the audience back in time by having all the characters wear the clothes that were worn in the 1930’s such as the women wearing big dresses and the mean wearing suits and having the characters talk in a British accent. Although back then not all people spoke in a British accent, many people now associate older times with a British accent which also helped transport us to that time period. The music played by the little band at the train station really pulled all the aspects that make up the 1930’s time period all together because music is a huge way to indicate a certain time period. The way the characters speak also really transports you back to the 1930’s because you can really see how people had thought back then and what their beliefs were. Such as how the station officer treated the orphans at the station it just shows how most adults did not respect children but more specifically poor children. Because the film was so historically accurate it helped show the fascination that film had on others and how people may have reacted to films in the 1930’s.
4.In the scene where it shows the making of the trip to the moon at the time stamp 1:14:29 the camera is facing forward depicting three mermaids in the center of what looks like a set of a mermaid's castle. On top is Triton and 2 mermaids on his left and 1 on his right with everything in blue lighting with what looks like light coming down on the set. In front of the set there is a fish tank with fish and lobsters falling in which gives it the illusion that the mermaids are under the sea. The mermaids' costumes consist of green and blue costumes and triton’s consist of a blue robe, beard,crown, and triton.
5.I really did actually enjoy this film. I enjoyed the whole plot and I loved how the movie progressed and how it intertwined with film history. Overall I really enjoyed it.
1. Hugo’s many references help add to the film’s themes and characters. The film connects A Trip To The Moon to Hugo and his father’s escape from reality, as films like these make the two of them feel as if they are watching a dream, which helps them escape their troubled reality. Hugo has a theme of escapism through film, which A Trip To The Moon’s reference supports, as the film is science fiction and had great visual effects, which helped audiences who watched it, like Hugo and his father escape from their reality by immersing themselves in a film. The film also connects A Trip To The Moon through its creator, George Melies who is also a main character in Hugo. The references to A Trip To The Moon and other films made by George Melies help the audience understand what George Melies created and how much it must’ve hurt when he was eventually left behind by society and forced to give up his passions and dreams. The references also immerse the audience, as they are shown several times in Hugo, making viewers feel more immersed in the movie they are watching, and causes them to wonder if maybe they might be a part of the problem George Melies was faced with. The references in Hugo show George Melies’s character and the theme of escapism through film. Through a montage, we see Charlie Chaplin, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Great Train Robbery, film tinting, and the visual effects of George Melies’s films.
ReplyDelete2. As someone who recognized the film history in Hugo, my viewing experience felt elevated. Because I knew of the history of most of the references and connections, I felt I had a better understanding of those connections, which helped me connect those references to the themes, characters, and story of Hugo. Due to already knowing what I knew before watching Hugo, I felt way more engaged in the story, since when I learned that George Melies was a character in the film, I became very interested in what his character would be like and what happened to George Melies in the time this film took place in. I also became interested in the mystery aspect of the story in the first half, as I was eager to find out how a robot who could write would lead to a story involving George Melies. I also felt more engaged in the themes of escapism in Hugo, since the film takes place around the great depression era, I was curious to see how they implement escapism into the theme and narrative. I appreciated the references to George Melies’s other films, as it provided more perspective into George Melies’s artistic style and shows the audience how they could be a part of the problem of forgetting older films if they don’t know anything else George Melies made besides A Trip To The Moon, not exactly accusing viewers, but making them think more deeply about their appreciation of film.
3. Hugo uses sounds, dialogue, and settings to immerse the audience and become more immersed in the film. For example, when in the train station, there is bright lighting, people talking in the background, and dialogue from characters to help establish the viewer’s immersion into the atmosphere the film currently resides in. This immersion into the story’s locations and time helps the audience understand how this world works and how characters act and interact with each other and everyday life. Due to this understanding and immersion, we as the audience are able to understand the film’s characters more, for example we understand Hugo’s loneliness even better when we see the crowded train station and how big Paris is, but how Hugo is still alone. Another example would be how those in the train station react to George Melies, rather they don’t react to him, as he feels forgotten about and that nobody cares about his films anymore. The immersion and understanding of the time and location of Hugo also helps the audience understand more about the story. If audiences know more about a film’s world, then they can understand how a story the film follows can come to be, immersing them more into the film, as they think more about the film and its characters.
ONE ABOVE IS ALSO ME
Delete4. At about 12:27 into Hugo, there is a shot of Hugo looking outside the giant clock’s window which outlooks a crowded Paris with the Eiffel Tower sticking out and sunset casting sunlight on the city, but adding a somber, warm feeling to the scene. This shot greatly portrays how Hugo feels and sees the world at the beginning of the film. Hugo feels he can’t be a part of the outside world due to his responsibility to the clock, which is symbolized through the clock being in between Hugo and the outside world, Paris. The lighting of the sunset is also well done, since the audience can see Paris without trouble, but the light is not bright to look like a summer day, instead being more dark and orange, which both allows the viewer to see everything in frame, but not feel joyous, instead feeling a bit more gloomy, as Hugo feels. This shot also connects to Martin Scorsese’s (the director) own childhood experiences, as he had health issues as a child and had to stay inside and watch others through his window, just as Hugo does in this scene.
5. I found myself surprised with how much I enjoyed this film and its themes. I like the themes of being broken and purpose and how the film portrays them, not being overly dramatic like high school drama, but not too little to not be present at all, instead the film shows a more realistic take on how themes like this would be present in a child and adult life. I found myself enjoying the film throughout and didn’t really feel particularly bored, which I thought I would be. I don’t like to say that I hate a person, however the dislike I have towards Thomas Edison is not exactly new.
1. One example is in the scene at 1:01:22, where it shows the moon from Méliès' movie “A Trip to the Moon.”. This was a big part of film history, as it was the starting point for giving movies special effects. Another is at 1:13:03, where it shows Melies getting his movie studio ready. This also gives props to Melies because it showed he cared about his movies and took care of his equipment. There are two more I caught, which were at 40:15 and 1:09:23. The first shows Hugo and Isabelle watching the movie “Safety Last!”, and the other shows them both reading a book showing the history of movies, including showing the movie L’Arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat, which is just a train coming towards a camera.
ReplyDelete2. Being experienced in films, it helps me very much to understand what is being shown or talked about most of the time. It also allows me to be involved with the story as it's happening, since I can follow what is told. There is one scene at 54:12 where Hugo and Isabelle watch the automaton draw a picture of the moon from “A Trip to the Moon”. I know this from learning the history behind the rise of film. As an example of my understanding of references in movies, Deadpool makes lots of bizarre references, but since I've watched multiple movies, there are some I can understand and laugh at. The significance of this understanding was good due to the fact that it helped me engage more with Deadpool as he talks about whatever he wants to at the moment.
3. The movie shows a lot of gears and old cars, which give a feeling of nostalgia. There is also the fact that movies are still small but evolving, showing the significance of even just one movie. The time during this movie also brings importance to everything that is mainly looked over nowadays, like automatons and black and white films. Overall, the movie captured the elements of the past fairly well.
4. One scene that included a very potent mise en scène example was at 1:01:02. At this point, it's revealed that there are drawings of many film ideas created by George Melies. This shows the props, costumes, and framing at the moment, giving significance to everything in the shot.
5. The plot felt lazy at times, making me lose more and more interest in the movie and causing me to not like it much. There were some points where the movie was not bad, but the bad outweighed the good tenfold. Overall, I was not really interested in the movie and did not really like it.
1. The Biggest one of course is it revolves around Georges Méliès a significant proponent in early cinema. Still, another connected to Méliès is his Magnum opus “A Trip to the Moon, " one of the original movies that Hugo’s Dad saw in theaters. Thirdly, we see during flashbacks of Méliès first theater experience when people jump as the train enters the station. Simultaneously, we saw the guy from the beginning of the great train robbery in the film history montage (the Magnum opus of Edwin S. Porter).
ReplyDelete2. I definitely found a greater sense of engagement in Hugo with the film history aspects of it. It made me feel accomplished or that pleasant feeling of understanding a reference. A great example of this is in Marvel’s Avengers as Nick Fury says something to the effect of, “Loki has turned them into his personal flying monkies.” Where Captain America responds, “I understood that reference.” It is rather self-aware in this way in that it looks at film history to a point while also being from a piece of film history. The best reference was in how Méliès got his start. He mentions how he tried to get a camera from the Lumiere brothers, but they thought movies were just a fad, a concept we discussed in class. This led him to make his own camera and studio fascinating developments that point to the ingenuity of the time and how film was a very experimental medium.
3. The thing that most brought me to France during that time was the hustle and bustle of the night compounded by the view of a lit Eifel Tower, which is the quintessential French landmark. The quite formal garb, the architecture, and the ambiance really all play to a sense of immersion. The biggest one for me, that really drove it home was the policeman fellow who wanted to date the botanist. Seen most when their conversation is interrupted by his bad leg, he tells of how it was injured in the war (WWI) and she tells of how her brother died in the war, thus giving us a view into the toll it took and the feelings of the french during that time. The overall historical accuracy really provides great insight into why the characters did what they did… Méliès for instance not being able to connect to the people coming home from the war and losing almost everything this really layered the story and added to the plot.
4. The sequence I have decided to describe is that of him one the clock at roughly 1:48:30 we see tremendous mise en scene: The lighting is dark but light as to see it, it is meant to show that the sequence is happening at night. The music is heightened to show the tension of the scene because Hugo is hiding from the policeman and in a very intense situation hanging on the minute hand of the big clock. The camera work here is also important to the development of the scene: We see a metric montage to show where the characters are in relation to each other. But more so the shots: we see a compound full/single/high-angle shot as to show Hugo and what’s going on, simultanious to the policeman seen from a full/single/high-angle as to show him coming up the stairs. The costumes don’t change, but also the location and him hanging from the clock tower generally to show that he is at the end of the line.
5. Did I like it, in the end I was like, “This is great…” when I almost fell asleep in the first hour I was like “This is so boring.” So in general it was a rather mixed bag. The film history aspect I really liked, the heartwarming ending, the historian, the love story, the dad, and the flashbacks in general were really fun. Were this movie loses me is in how slow it is for the first hour and the blandness of it. But in general it was good.
The second and third act in hugo is a love letter to early cinema mainly george melies since he is in important character in this movie,from various flashbacks showing how melies made his movies, to a library where some of melie’s equipment is stored, they also have a small lesson about film history in the middle of the movie when they go to the library to look for more information about cinema, where they mention important people to film history like the lumiere brothers, but the biggest conection to film history is the use of “a trip to the moon “ it is used multiple times through the film, they use a trip to the moon to connect the story between hugo’s dad and melies but also to connect with the audience, it is possible that before watching this movie people have seen the famous picture of the rocket landing in the eye of the moon, by using that image it captures the audience and makes them want to know more about it.
ReplyDeleteI've watched this movie a long time ago and i remember liking it because it was about movies. But now that i know more about movie history this movie was way more enjoyable. You see the characters learning stuff that you already know, i usually would’t like this, since i prefer the audience learning with the characters, however it works in this movie, it had me looking for references, like marvel wants you to look for references in their movies except that here its actually enjoyable, and doesn’t feel forced into the story, because the references to film history is the story, i got chills when the drawing of the trip to the moon was first revealed, i got chills when mellie says “this is where dreams are made”. And i don’t think i would’t have enjoyed those moments as much if i didn’t know about film history
that is me
DeleteYou start with a full shot of melies in his shop looking bored, then it goes to a close up focusing on his expression,then it cuts to a Extreme closeup focusing on melie’s eye you can see the reflection of a clock in his eyes.
DeleteI really liked the movie a lot the first hour was interesting and it hooked me in very quick although i disagre with a lot of people that say the beginning is boring i can’t deny thet the 2nd and 3rd act are better than the first, it was super fun seeing all the references to film history and seeing melies make his movie. I don’t know how but i got chills multiple times. I loved the story of melies trying to forget his past and i also liked hugo’s story, all the characters were enjoyable the side characters were fun and the subplots were fun
9.5 Thomas Edisons out of 10 stolen inventions
1. Hugo incorporates significant film history references throughout the movie. For example, the movie includes the film pioneer George Melies and mentions his film A Trip to the Moon as a plot point for Hugo to figure out how to fix his father’s automaton. Various other works of George Melies are featured in the film as snippets. The film also incorporates the showing of one of the first films in history, a film by the Lumiere Brothers where a train passes by a station. There also are clips of Charlie Chaplin, a famous actor during that period. The Great Train Robbery is also referenced through a clip of a cowboy pointing his gun at the camera.
ReplyDelete2. As a student who has knowledge of film history, recognizing the references enhances my viewing experience because I am able to understand more of the movie. I think if I did not have previous knowledge about film history, I would not have been able to understand the movie as well. I think my knowledge of film history does add to the overall theme, enhancing my viewing experience. I appreciated the overall piece of George Melies’s contribution to film. Adding the layer of background behind who helped start the film industry was really entertaining to watch.
3. The attention to detail in Hugo from the historical accuracy through visual cues, dialogue, and settings creates a sense of immersion for the audience, making a delightful viewing experience. The use of specific locations such as the Eiffel Tower allows the audience to locate the setting of the film. Along with the setting, accents and period-specific words such as automaton, date the movie to the 1930s. Without historical accuracy, the audience would not be able to understand and learn about George Melies’s contributions to cinema. The historical accuracy gives the film a better sense of depth behind cinema itself.
4. The scene I’m choosing to describe is when George and his wife are in the theater watching the train motion picture for the first time. In the scene, we see many people crowded in a theater to watch the film. As the train goes by on the platform, the audience screams out of fear that the train is going to hit them. Everyone in the audience looks around shocked. The camera is placed behind the audience to allow viewers to see their reactions. All the elements in the scene from the actor's reactions to the way the camera is placed show the importance of how that film shaped many other films to later come. The scene also shows George’s reaction to the film, to symbolize how he was inspired to then create films.
5. I did enjoy Hugo, although I wasn’t sure what the movie was about when first sitting down to view it. Learning about film history made this movie more enjoyable to watch than if I had watched it without any prior knowledge. I liked how it incorporated different aspects of film and touched on how George Melies was a pioneer in the film industry.
4. 36:56-37:44 shows the office of a tall middle-aged man who is the train inspector of a train station called the Gare Montparnasse, a station in 1930’s Paris. This sequence from the film has many different shot angles and compositions. They use a wide shot, full shot, cowboy shot, and medium shot. They were at eye level, hip level, and shoulder level. There are low-level shots, high-level shots, single shots, 2 shots, etc. These are all used to invoke different feelings of the power dynamics, and give you feelings of tension or feeling bad at certain times. The office is made to look full yet modest at the same time. Like there is a lot of stuff in the office, yet it's not cluttered. The train conductor has a lot of clocks on the wall because he is obsessed with time. Throughout the whole film, the train conductor is very obsessed with time. There is a board on the wall of his office with every orphan he has caught and sent to an orphanage. There are slash marks on every one of the boy's faces on that board indicating that he sees him sending them away as a task he has completed. There is an orphan that the train conductor has just caught and is locked in a small cage only big enough to fit a small boy in a standing position and no more. This boy is in old raggedy clothing and covered in grime and grease indicating that he is homeless and been without a family for a longer amount of time. A medium to large-sized black Doberman is guarding the cage. Hugo, the main character, also a young orphan, is watching the train conductor from behind one of the many clocks that he has on the wall. This one has a hole in it that shows the inside of the wall, and that allows Hugo to see into the office. The train conductor sits next to the board, the board of crossed orphans, and his bum leg is being held up by a piece of leather that is being held up by a pulley system. The lighting is both synthetic and natural, but more synthetic. There is one light on that is right above where the boy is being held in the cage. They are all wearing clothes that indicate that they are in 1930s Paris, but not all the actors are wearing the cleanest clothes, such as the orphan boy in the cage. There is no background music; the only sounds in the sequence are the dialogue of the train conductor on the phone and the cries of the tapped orphan boy.
ReplyDelete5. I watched Hugo once before when I was younger and I didn’t necessarily like it at that time. But now after knowing more about film history and not being a little child, I enjoyed it. The first half seemed a little slower to me, but looking back on it, I was also tired at the time. I ended up pausing the movie, falling asleep, then waking up less tired and finishing the second half. I enjoyed the second half. And after rewatching some of the first half that I didn’t necessarily like, I ended up being more engaged and liking it. It was better than I expected it to be from what I had remembered as a child. And about Edison, I still feel the same on that guy haha.
1. The reference to early film history is the repeated slapstick comedy sections, which act as an allusion to early cinema because that time period relied heavily on visual comedy like slapstick to tell jokes, due to technical limitations at the time. The next filmmaking trope used is the montage, specifically when backstory is being given on why Hugo is in the train station to begin with. At about 41:40, Hugo recounts some of the events of Méliès's movie A Trip to The Moon, which is the third reference to early cinema. Hints of German Expressionism can be seen with Hugo’s dream sequence, where he is nearly ran over by a train.
ReplyDelete2. I personally found the constant film references to be just okay, I think that using techniques like flashbacks and subjective perspectives are much more important than making a perfect reference to some guy in the turn of the 20th century, but given that was the point of the movie, it makes sense. I think that it is less of a “heightened engagement” and more of a “cool reference” if you spot a lot of these things, such as when the robot draws the moon from A Trip to The Moon at around 52 minutes in.
3. The movie has a recurring band that plays at the train station, whose music is authentically French. It sounds exactly like what somebody imagines old French music to sound like, all the way down to the classical guitar and the accordion. One thing that took me out of the movie was that the actors sounded British, as opposed to having a French accent. I understand it was probably something to do with casting and the script being written in English, but it does end up feeling out of place nonetheless. The conflict of the movie, being the story of Méliès, does fall in line with history. WW1 caused Méliès to have to sell what he had, as France was at war during this time.
4. The scene at 24:40 sees the Train station guard guy and Hugo around a pole. The camera starts by being tilted down at Mr. Train Station’s legs, then going up to about shoulder level, so we can see his costume; and by extent what his job is. After taking some random steps while looking around, he stops at a pole that Hugo happens to be hiding from him at. The camera is framed to show both characters, and how close they are. Hugo can see Mr. Train Station Guy but Mr. Train Station Guy can’t see him, and when Hugo first sees him we see him activate some sort of stealth mode. When Mr. Train Guy goes to stretch, we hear a whooshing sound to make his action seem more sudden and dangerous to Hugo. Since it’s not meant to be an attack, but still is bad for Hugo to be hit by, the sound clue helps the audience understand how important it is for Hugo to pay attention to his surroundings as to not get caught. Hugo wraps around the pillar at just the right time to not be spotted by Mr. Train Station Guy, and runs away after a moment. The camera cuts to the Flower lady and that part of the sequence ends.
5. I hated this movie. I don’t wanna talk about it. All I will say is that it has nothing to do with the French.
1. Some specific scenes in this film that pay reference to prominent persons or films from the past are this: at (1:10:22) they are viewing an old film George's Meiles "a trip to the moon" and this also came up back at (1:31:07 -1:32:48) The Lumiere Brothers were also prominent personalities, and their film "The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station" (1:36:00-1:36:40) is one of the moments in this film that pay homage to notable figures of the past. "The Great Train Robbery" was also briefly covered (1:10:19- 1:10:22).
ReplyDelete2. As someone who has been studying the film history conveyed in this film, I felt as though this was a better undertaking for me because I understood the references they said as well as the meaning behind what they were saying. I feel as though this adds a high level of engagement because I felt as though they were simply repeating what I already knew. Zootopia is a film that has numerous societal parallels, in my opinion. The significance is that it might increase engagement and make people giggle since they understand they Indore.
3. The usage of transportation in this film contributes to the growing element of conveying the scene as 1930s Paris. The ambiance and lighting are designed to enhance the discourse. Another example of how this approach represented the 1930s is the man who claims his leg was recently damaged in WWI. The impact of this is that we now have a greater grasp of what life was like throughout the times when this was to happen.
4.the setting I made the decision to research the scene at 38:29. The scene is set on a chilly winter day in Paris; the characters are dressed in large coats, hats, and boots; the lighting is brilliant yet blue; the camera is taking a static view, implying that nothing is moving but action is still taking place. Because the two characters in this scenario were discussing a baby who might be the other gentlemen's, the atmosphere was a little strained.
5.I liked some sections of the movie, but generally I'd say it was alright. I appreciated how I understood what was happening on a different level because of my prior knowledge. Even though it was something I wouldn't watch, I did like viewing it for educational purposes, which made me enjoy it a little bit more. I stil feel the same about Edison :)
1. The first film that Hugo and Isabelle watched was a vaudeville performance as it was just someone doing stunts. There was a moment in the film while Hugo and Isabelle were reading the book of film history that had many film history references. The first was a flashback to the Lumiere Brothers hosting the first movie screening. In this scene, you can see the panic in the audience as the train approached them. Right after this, there was some footage of Lumiere Brothers’ actualities like people walking out of a building. Lastly, there was a montage of iconic film history moments and the shot at 1:10:45 looks like it’s from the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
ReplyDelete2. After getting kicked out of the theater with Isabelle, Hugo tells her a memory of his father. His father had been to a screening of George Méliès’ “A Trip to the Moon.” Hugo doesn’t explicitly state the title but it can be assumed based on his description of his father’s memory. He said his father saw a rocket fly into the eye of a man on the moon, and this is the iconic look of “A Trip to the Moon.” I enjoyed the amount of detail Hugo gave about his father's memory. He mentioned that his father went into a dark room and the film was projected on a white screen. If you were to recall a theater experience now, we would omit that detail but the people of this time period are experiencing films for the first time so every detail is ground-breaking to them. Isabelle actually hadn’t seen a film before that day with Hugo. I enjoyed seeing this history detail be tied in with Hugo’s fond memory of his father. This reference felt more significant rather than the montage presented later in the film.
3. The film uses visual cues such as landmarks, costumes, film technology, as well as dialogue to create the atmosphere of 1930s Paris. Landmarks like the Eiffel tower and the Arc de Triomphe are visible throughout the film and lets the audience assume we are in Paris, France. The costumes also help indicate this. Isabelle wears a beret throughout the film and dresses like a lady in the 1930s would. The time period can be assumed based on what film technology the characters are using. For example, films are still black and white, vaudeville’s exist, “A Trip to the Moon” exists. The dialogue in the film can help the audience figure out it is the 1930s. I assumed the inspector was involved in the war because of his disability.
4. This shot is an overhead single shot. Hugo had climbed onto the outside of the station’s clocktower and was hanging off the minute hand of the clock. The lights and buildings at the ground level are visible, putting into perspective for the audience how high up Hugo is. This shot felt like a parallel to the vaudeville film Hugo and Isabelle were viewing earlier in the film. In the vaudeville film, the actor was also hanging off a high up clock tower by the hands of the clock. The vaudeville film could be foreshadowing Hugo running away from the station inspector in this intense moment by climbing out the clock tower.
5. I did like this movie! It was interesting to see the historical narrative play out and catch all the references. The progression in plot from finding the key to the autonoma to finding George Méliès to Hugo finding where he belongs. After learning about camera movement, shots, angles, and framing, I appreciated and understood the film more.
1. There are many references to film history in this movie. The film incorporates these connections like when Isabelle and Hugo are outside the theater there is a poster of Charlie Chaplin. Hugo and Isabella get the robot working and the robot writes out “George Melies”, a film director (54:41). There's another reference to Melies when Isabella is grabbing a box and she drops it causing the box to open and many drawings and writings are seen, three of which are signed “G Melies”. Lastly, another moment I noticed in the film was when Hugo and Isabella were reading a book about the first movies and there was a picture of a train. This train was in the Lumiere Brothers Film.
ReplyDelete2.After Hugo and Isabella leave the theater he begins to tell her about the first movie his dad has ever seen. He describes the film as a rocket shooting up into the eye of the moon. As soon as Hugo said this I recognized the film, it's A Trip to the Moon by Goerge Melies.It enhances my viewing experience because I understand what he's talking about so it gives a sense of relatability. I feel it does give another layer of engagement to the theme because Hugo explaining this asserts the importance of his dad to him because he knows and remembers the details of his fathers first film.
3.Film uses settings to evoke the atmosphere of the 1930s like around 1:05:10, the colors are very orange and dark giving a very vintage feel and they're outside of a cafe in the train station. Dialogue also immerses the audience back in time when Hugo and Isabella are talking and Hugo mentions how he loves to watch movies and Isabella reveals she has never watched one. As of now everyone has seen a movie but in the 1930s it may have been more common for people to not have watched movies so that detail gives a sense of the 1930s.
4.I chose the scene where Isabelle and Hugo are in the train station and her heart key necklace is revealed (47:07). This scene is very fast paced up until Hugo see’s her necklace.Hugo is running back to save Isabella because she fell on the ground and the music keeps getting faster and faster until he reaches her. Now the camera is on Hugos face but switches to Isabella then tilts down towards her necklace. Now the camera is now back on Hugo and he starts to ask questions about the necklace, it's a close up shot so you can see his emotions and reaction to the necklace.
5.I did enjoy this movie. I grew to like all the characters throughout the movie and personally it's hard to watch a movie if you don't like any of the characters. Since the movie also had so many film references it was fun to spot them because it felt like a game while watching it.
1. Throughout the progression of the film, the audience is slowly introduced to aspects of film history, though since it’s so important to the plot most of the most significant aspects are withheld until towards the end of the film. Towards the end of the film, Georges Melies talks about his life and covers a large portion of this information. The children slowly started to discover who the man really was and a few significant tidbits of information that were revealed included but were not limited to:
ReplyDelete- The incorporation of the character Georges Melies
- Notable films (by Melies) such as A Trip to the Moon
- The cinematograph
- Reference to the Lumiere Brothers
2. The fact that the film paid homage to the progress of film technologically and as an art was incredibly interesting to see. That kind of information isn’t often acknowledged in its respective medium and to see it be well represented felt good to see. I definitely felt more engaged once they incorporated history that I was informed on because I was able to see it be represented and explored and I felt that my knowledge of the topic enhanced my appreciation for it. The technological aspect of the development of film I found very interesting, as its incorporation into the film I felt would help to inform lots of people about the history of the medium they so often casually enjoy without proper understanding of its past.
3. The film’s loyalty to the aesthetic and feel of a setting of the past made for a more immersive feel for the plot as it felt more plausible the existence of some of the significant figures such as George Melies in that specific time. The storyline was also based on other historical figures and events and, as the film was set in the past, they felt more relevant and real within the story as people who existed and less of factoids to acknowledge and recognize.
4. Though it’s no specific scene, oftentimes the story takes place at the train station; it has lots of gadgets, gears, a metallic, technologically progressive feel to it, and we also get the liberty of following Hugo throughout the inner workings of the train station as he lives there, giving a more authentic feel to the setting. It’s often a loud and aggressive place as people are constantly moving throughout the station and, since he’s a financially poor orphan child fighting for survival for a large portion of the movie, he’s often being chased by one of the antagonists, the security guard. Due to this, most scenes in the train station aren’t entirely peaceful; he’s often under threat while in the public view in the train station and it’s often crowded, noisy, and dangerous for him.
5. I did like this movie. I liked the development of the characters and the homage paid to the history of film. I thought that the steampunk-ish feel and aesthetic of the train station was enjoyable to see and the children’s exploration of film and the significance of the grandfather was very fun to watch. Also Nikola’s verses were better.
1. When Hugo was hanging from the clocktower it was a reference to the movie Safety Last. The Meiles asking the Lumiere brothers to make him a camera but they didn't as they though of movies as a “passing fad” and saw no future in it. The Great train robbery was referenced and so was a clip from the Cabinet of Dr. Calgari.
ReplyDelete2. There is definitely another layer of engagement added. With the notes we’ve taken in class its fun and interesting to see how they were incorporated into this film. A trip to the moon was most referenced as Hugo has the same narrative structure of 4 acts instead of three like most movies use in today’s time. The first Act is the introduction of all the characters. The second act is when Hugo meets Isabel as she puts the key she has in his automatron. The third act is when George Melies is revealed in the film and the final act being the climax when Hugo gets stuck on the clocktower in the ceremony to honor Melies. It sets into perspective how thought out this movie really is different from the rest.
3. There were visual cues like clips of the eiffel tower in the background of some scenes and the Arc de Triomphe building was present. The way the characters dressed was also a clue to tell what period this was set in. The women were very chic with their berets, striped sweaters and fancy dress suits. It shows how different times are today and the fact that we are in a different country with different cultures, styles, and beliefs helps put into perspective what times were like in other parts of the world. This overall contributes to the film's attention to historical accuracy because there is a story and message that's trying to be conveyed. In order to do so every aspect of the movie has to be planned out accordingly.
4. The scene where Professor Tabard shows Hugo, Isabelle and Mama Jeanne the last surviving film form Meliese caught my attention. The Moon in the film “A trip To the Moon '' was being zoomed into when the camera’s cuts back to Isabelle at first at about a medium close up to see the visible smile she has on her face. Then as the camera pans slowly to the left the audience receives an eye level close up of Mama Jeanne. Going from one subject to the next two single shots back to back. To individualize each character's feelings and emotions during this clip. Using I believe the depth of field is when the camera was on Isabelle the background was still visible. Then the camera was panned and the background completely blurred. The music is very sentimental and heartfelt as they get to view the last of Melies work. Most definitely a special moment for everyone in the room. Shows how much of an impact he had.
5. This movie was ok. I don’t hate it but it's not my favorite either. What I did like was the clever incorporation of film history the movie had. It really helped give me insight on how impactful pioneers like George Melies and the Lumiere Brothers really were. As some people have already said, the movie is a bit slow and I have to agree. I got rather bored at certain parts and I wasn't as engaged as I could have been.