Citizen Kane: Screening Report

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

            Citizen Kane has been revered as the best film of all time, this according to the American Film Industry. In 1998 AFI constructed a list of the best films from the past 100 years.  Released in 1941 this movie was released during the peak of the “golden age of Hollywood” it had so much going for it, but it did not go as well at first.  All the critics praised the filmmaking and the movie itself but audiences did not take to the movie at first and was considered a commercial failure.             

William Randolph Hearst

            The film was basically blacklisted when it was first released. Many did not want to see it because the movie too closely resembled the life of William Randolph Hearst and felt that it was an attack on his character and persona.  Hearst owned many newspapers and he refused to publish and ads, stories or reviews about the film, he did not want to bring any attention to the film. Although critics loved the film, the audience was not drawn to the negative attention.  It wouldn’t be until much later that the film would be judged on basically what it is, a movie.

            In a historical perspective not only is this movie considered a great masterpiece it was also innovative.  His means of photography were innovative in the film.  Although the film was in black and white, one could still see the differences in lighting to put many people or stuff in the film into perspective.  The deep focus photography used in the film was also innovative.  With this style, it allows everything in the frame to in focus at once.

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  You may use the library or the internet.  

            This movie in my opinion is fascinating. From its release and the controversy surrounding it, to the actual film itself and the filmmaking and the beautiful artistry that went behind it.  When doing research on this film I had to find two articles that talk relatively about the controversy and the film as a whole.

            In an article by PBS regarding a show they did called “The Battle over Citizen Kane” they discussed the controversy surrounding the film.  In they article they describe the film as a "brutal portrait of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst” (PBS, 1997).  After Hearst found out about the film, he decided to go against it, and tried his best to shut the film down. And partly he succeeded.  Even Hollywood’s elites “rallied” with Hearst to try to get the negatives burned so the movie could never see the light of day. (PBS 1997) All of this because Hearst felt the film was made with the intent to discredit him (PBS 1997).  And Hearst got his way because the movie was a commercial failure and “it would be nearly a quarter-century before Citizen Kane was revived.” (PBS 1997) The movie was nominated for nine Academy Awards but during the ceremony, every time the movie’s name was called out the audience booed. (PBS 1997)

            But there was a reason why the film was nominated for nine awards, despite the content the filmmaking was outstanding.  Although in black and white, there was still so much life in the color.  According to Roger Ebert, Citizen Kane “makes great use of darkness and shadow” (Ebert, 1991).  The movie tells a sad story about a very rich, successful, influential person in American journalism and society and the black and white helps you feel even worse for Kane.  And the visual helped set the theme for the movie, Ebert says the Welles “created a gloomy, dark visual style for the picture” and it worked (Ebert, 1991).

While its initial release the movie was “black-booked” (Ebert, 1991), Hollywood studios would forbid their theaters show the film, so many people did not see it.  But now over 70 years later it is revered as a classic Hollywood and film masterpiece and as one of the best movies of all time.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

            While watching the movie, I understood the fascination with the filmmaking and the way he used the black and white to deepen and sadden the theme of the film but I was not the much interested in the film as I was to see what all the buzz was about.  Prior to watching the film, I had heard about it and how it was supposed to be the best film of all time so I was excited to watch it.  But was more interested in the controversy surrounding it.

            The article where they discussed all the trouble Hearst went, to get as little amount of people to watch is kind of comical.  And it intrigues me to see why he wanted to ban the film.  But it was Ebert’s review that helped me see the film in a new light after seeing it.  Welles had carefully planned every detail into this movie. Every person, car, clothes, place, thing, detail had a role in the movie.  From one word, “Rosebud” which is what the whole movie is about, to a snow globe, to the shadows and the light, they all had major roles not only in production but in the film as well.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

            Citizen Kane is one of those movies that no matter your personal opinion there is already a universal law about this movie.  So my opinion on the film does not matter, whether I liked it or not, this movie does belong in the list where it is now.  It is a captivating film that’s images and color drag you into the film.  Everything in the film was carefully calculated and placed exactly where they are.  It’s a mystery movie.  The mystery of a man’s life and last words, a sad movie about a rich, successful influential man who had everything but had nothing at the same time.

            The movie has and is surrounded by controversy ever since it first was released. It was a film that represented an alleged harsh view of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. And Hearst himself boycotted the film by not even mentioning, reviewing or writing about it.  He temporarily succeeding the film was only shown in a number of theaters

. But the critics loved the film because it was excellent filmmaking.  Each shot; each frame had an emotion behind it.  For me the black and white motif made the film even sadder, it makes you feel bad.  The rhythm of the film also made it sad and helps the content.  When he is young the movie is fast paced and fun while when he has aged the films moves slower and drags on a bit which make it all a bit sadder. 

            Citizen Kane is the movie of all movies.  It has everything you look for in a movie; mystery, humor, darkness and emotion. Citizen Kane is an amazing film, it’s captivating, interesting and there is controversy.  It’s juicy!

  

Reference:

PBS. "The Battle over Citizen Kane." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.             <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kane2/index.html>.

Ebert, Roger. "'Citizen Kane' a masterpiece at 50." All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/citizen-kane-a-masterpiece-at-            50>.

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Name: __________Juan Ortiz___________________  Date: _______3/20/14________