Brady Corbet’s stunning cinematic film lives up to its title, a brutal almost four-hour run time with an interval built into the program acknowledging the human needs of its audience. It’s what Corbet does with those almost-four hours that makes this film what folk refer to as “event cinema”, that needs experiencing on the big screen with other people. The last time I felt part of the same kind of communal cinema moment, with an audience spontaneously turning to each other and talking to each other about their experiences – numb backside or connecting with the screen – was Scorsese’s 2011 four-hour George Harrison documentary.
The scene is set for a story of survival, hope, and redemption in the midst of chaos.
The Unsettling Beginning
The film opens with a haunting and unsettling scene, where Laszlo Toth, played by Adrien Brody, emerges from the belly of a post-war migrant ship. The image is one of stark contrast, with the towering Statue of Liberty looming in the background, a symbol of freedom and hope, yet shrouded in a thick layer of grime and neglect. The scene is set in 1947, and the world is still reeling from the aftermath of World War II. The migrant ship, a symbol of desperation and hope, is a microcosm of the chaos and uncertainty that pervades the world. The migrant ship is a cramped and unsanitary environment, where hundreds of people are packed into a small space, with little to no access to basic necessities like food, water, or sanitation.
The cousins are then arrested and charged with assault and battery.
The Commission of Inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry, also known as the “Commission of Inquiry into the Assault on Harrison Lee,” was established to investigate the assault on Harrison Lee. The commission was tasked with determining the facts surrounding the incident and making recommendations for future action.
Key Findings
The commission’s investigation revealed several key findings:
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the commission’s findings was significant. The cousins were charged with assault and battery, and they faced the possibility of imprisonment. Harrison Lee, on the other hand, was left to pick up the pieces and try to move on from the traumatic experience.
Consequences for the Cousins
The cousins faced several consequences as a result of the commission’s findings:
The film’s cinematography is stark and unyielding, reflecting the bleakness of the world Corbet portrays.
The Aesthetic of Brutalism
Brutalism, a term coined by Le Corbusier in the 1920s, refers to a style of architecture that emphasizes functionality and simplicity. However, in the context of film, Brutalism takes on a different meaning. It is characterized by a stark, unyielding aesthetic that reflects the bleakness of the world portrayed. A key element of Brutalist film is the use of stark, unyielding cinematography. This can include the use of high-contrast lighting, monochromatic color palettes, and a focus on raw, unpolished textures. The use of long takes and static shots can also contribute to the Brutalist aesthetic.
