Paul, a French playwright, is hired to rewrite a film of The Odyssey being made on Capri, and his wife Camille begins to lose respect for him. Godard turns a marriage falling apart into a film about filmmaking itself, and it looks gorgeous.
Contempt is a 1963 drama and romance film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (1 narrative, 1 editing, 1 sound and 1 cinematography), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, Before Sunset uses several of the same techniques.
Making a film that criticizes the film industry from the inside. It shows the cruelty under the glamour of stardom and how easily talent gets thrown away.
How this film uses it
The film shows the film business treating art as a product. The American producer Prokosch dictates changes, and half the budget went on Brigitte Bardot's fee. Godard makes the industry look petty.
Where to see it
Prokosch and Lang: The producer clashes with the director Fritz Lang over the film of The Odyssey.
Letting a conversation run for a long time with very few cuts. The tension builds from the actors sharing the space and from what is said, almost said and left unsaid.
How this film uses it
The couple's arguments in their apartment are filmed as long tracking shots in natural light and near real time. The camera moves back and forth between them while the marriage slowly breaks.
Where to see it
The apartment: Paul and Camille argue and reconcile in a long scene that moves from room to room.
Repeating a short piece of music or a sound every time a certain character, idea or feeling comes up. You learn to connect the 2.
How this film uses it
The score by Georges Delerue includes Theme de Camille, a sweeping romantic theme. It returns as the marriage falls apart, so the music keeps sounding grand while the couple falls apart.
Where to see it
Theme de Camille: The romantic music returns as the couple's love dies.
Filming in recognizable real places so the setting acts like part of the cast. Streets, buildings and landscapes shape the mood of the story.
How this film uses it
The film was shot on Capri at Casa Malaparte, a striking house above the sea. The cliffs, rooftop and water frame the characters and make the sadness feel big.
Where to see it
Casa Malaparte: Camille and Paul's marriage reaches its breaking point at the villa on Capri.
Questions
Contempt: quick answers
What filmmaking techniques does Contempt use?
CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Contempt (1963): Hollywood Self-Indictment, Unbroken Dialogue Scene, Leitmotif and Real Locations as Character.
Who directed Contempt?
Jean-Luc Godard directed Contempt, released in 1963. CineCode also covers Breathless (1960).
What films are similar to Contempt?
Films that share techniques with Contempt include Before Sunset (2004), Before Midnight (2013), Get Out (2017), Black Swan (2010).
