1941: Citizen Kane: What Makes A Masterpiece?

Summary

The video explores the groundbreaking nature of Orson Welles' 'Citizen Kane,' delving into its revolutionary impact on cinema. Originally a box-office failure, the film is now regarded as a masterpiece for its innovative use of deep focus, complex camera movements, and nonlinear storytelling. By utilizing visual techniques that pushed cinematic boundaries, Welles and cinematographer Gregg Toland redefined how films convey narrative and emotion. The analysis highlights how 'Citizen Kane' still influences modern filmmakers, while also reflecting on its themes of ambition, loss, and the duality of success and failure.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The term 'masterpiece' originally referred to a work created by an apprentice to prove their skill, but it now represents any great work of art.
• 🎥 Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he made 'Citizen Kane,' which is considered one of the most important films ever, despite being a box-office failure.
• 📽️ 'Citizen Kane' revolutionized cinema with its visual innovations, including the use of deep focus, which allowed the entire scene to be in sharp detail.
• 👁️‍🗨️ The deep focus technique let viewers absorb all aspects of a scene simultaneously, enhancing storytelling through layers of visual information.
• 📸 Gregg Toland's cinematography contributed to 'Citizen Kane’s' visual mastery, including low-angle shots, tracking shots, and complex camera movements.
• 🖼️ The film borrowed and expanded upon techniques from earlier films, such as deep focus and chiaroscuro lighting, and incorporated them into its storytelling.
• 🎭 The narrative of 'Citizen Kane' was groundbreaking, using flashbacks and multiple perspectives to present a non-linear, fragmented storytelling approach.
• 💔 The film explores themes of failure, loneliness, and the complexities of relationships, offering an ambiguous portrayal of its protagonist, Charles Foster Kane.
• 🧩 'Citizen Kane' forces the audience to piece together the story, breaking away from traditional linear narratives and paving the way for films like 'Rashomon' and 'Memento'.
• 🌹 Kane's last word, 'Rosebud,' symbolizes lost innocence and childhood, reflecting a deep yearning within the character for a simpler, happier time.

Q & A

What is the original meaning of the term 'masterpiece'?

Originally, 'masterpiece' referred to the work that an apprentice would present before becoming a member of a guild, showcasing their mastery of a skill. It later evolved to mean any great work of art.

Why is 'Citizen Kane' considered revolutionary in cinema?

'Citizen Kane' is considered revolutionary because of its innovative visual techniques, non-linear narrative, and its ability to profoundly shape the evolution of cinema. Its radical use of deep focus, complex camera movements, and storytelling techniques changed filmmaking.

What is deep focus, and how did 'Citizen Kane' use it?

Deep focus refers to a technique where everything in a scene, from the foreground to the background, is in sharp focus. 'Citizen Kane' used this technique to allow viewers to observe multiple layers of action within a scene, enhancing the storytelling by presenting all elements at once.

How did the camera movements in 'Citizen Kane' contribute to its storytelling?

The camera movements in 'Citizen Kane,' such as tracking shots and low-angle shots, were used to emphasize the power dynamics between characters and to provide the audience with an omnipotent perspective. These movements helped convey deeper emotional and narrative meaning.

What is the significance of the 'Rosebud' motif in 'Citizen Kane'?

The 'Rosebud' motif symbolizes Kane's lost childhood and the innocence he left behind as he rose to power and wealth. It serves as a metaphor for his longing for simpler, happier times before being thrust into the complexities of adulthood and success.

How did 'Citizen Kane' influence later films with its visual techniques?

'Citizen Kane' influenced later films with its use of deep focus, low-angle shots, and complex camera movements. These techniques were adopted by directors like Alfred Hitchcock and David Fincher, and became staples of modern filmmaking.

What narrative structure does 'Citizen Kane' employ, and why is it unique?

'Citizen Kane' employs a non-linear, fragmented narrative structure, where the story is told through flashbacks and different perspectives. This was revolutionary for its time, as it allowed the audience to piece together the story from multiple viewpoints rather than following a straightforward, linear plot.

How does 'Citizen Kane' challenge traditional character portrayals in films?

'Citizen Kane' challenges traditional character portrayals by presenting Charles Foster Kane as a complex, morally ambiguous figure. The audience is not directed to feel one way or another about him, and different characters’ perspectives on him reveal both his virtues and flaws, leaving interpretation open to the viewer.

What role did Gregg Toland play in shaping the visual style of 'Citizen Kane'?

Gregg Toland, the cinematographer, played a crucial role in shaping the visual style of 'Citizen Kane.' He brought technical innovations like deep focus and chiaroscuro lighting, helping create the film’s distinctive, revolutionary look.

What makes the ending of 'Citizen Kane' significant in terms of its message?

The ending of 'Citizen Kane' is significant because it reveals the meaning of Kane's final word, 'Rosebud,' to the audience but not to the characters within the film. It suggests that no single word or event can fully explain a person's life, reinforcing the film's theme of the complexity and ambiguity of human experience.