Narrative technique · used in 1 film

Anthology Triptych Structure

Splitting a film into 3 short, self-contained stories that share a theme but not characters. Each one echoes the others, so the whole film feels like a single idea seen from 3 angles.

Examples

Where you can see it

  1. Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) poster

    Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

    Ryusuke Hamaguchi · 2021

    The film is three short stories with different women at the center. Each one is about a missed or mistaken connection. Seeing them together, you notice how often the same feelings come back in new settings.

    Where to see it: The three episodes. "Magic (or Something Less Assuring)," "Door Wide Open" and "Once Again" each follow a different woman.

Questions

Quick answers

What is anthology triptych structure in film?
Splitting a film into 3 short, self-contained stories that share a theme but not characters. Each one echoes the others, so the whole film feels like a single idea seen from 3 angles.
Which films use anthology triptych structure?
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021).
What kind of technique is anthology triptych structure?
It is a narrative technique. Related narrative techniques include Fate as Plot Force, Symbolic Object, Observational Restraint.

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