The discussion we had in class about the airline cartoons reminded me of a short film I saw a while back called, “The Raftman’s Razor”. (Please watch it below before reading on)
So many things were unique and intriguing within the six and a half minutes of film, every frame, the narration, the cartoon and style, something about this film that attracted me so much. I consider myself pretty harsh critic when it comes to films because I have seen so many to the point where I can predict the plot and ending of most movies that I watch. But in this case, the Raftmen has got a hold me like he did with the two characters in the film.
My initial reaction after watching this short film was one of confusion and wonder. For some odd reason I enjoyed the so seemingly pointless and boring film. However, as short as it is, it sparked many thoughts upon me then many critically acclaimed movies. The one question I had in mind was:
“What did the creator intended for us (the audience) to get from this?”
I sat in silence with the feeling of numbness in my body in concentration trying to think of the meaning of this movie. It was never questioned how the Raftman got in the situation he was in or even if he had any significance in the comic. This film had a different feeling to it, one that isn’t as satisfying or flashy as The Dark Knight, where the hero wins and the villain loses. Here instead, it takes us through another medium of storytelling, one that is philosophical yet dark, but has a beautiful song along with it.
Being the audience, I find myself intrigue with the two boys who are so into the Raftman’s comic. The film depicts them doing odd and comical things like most young kids do, but here, they are obsessed with this depressing comic that doesn’t make sense to the people around them, yet to them, it has an enigmatic tone which made them hooked. The comic itself is very plain but every detail in it is unique. I feel this film allows the audience to use their imagination to fill in the what-ifs. I believe that the director made this film so short because he knew that the audience would have to come back and watch it numerous of time, which was what I had done.
I couldn’t help it but to wonder and ask questions. First, why is this man in this raft in the middle of the ocean with a razor? Why would he shave at all in the moment like this? Why is he an Asian man? (Or so to seem to be) What is the whole message here?
The quotes used within the thoughts were all very interesting as well:
“Chaos is the soil in which truth grows.”
“God only smiles only on the inanimate.”
“Life is a series of meaningless poses.”
Such depressing quotes yet in a way it’s so true.
I finally came to a realization that maybe the film was meant for me, the audience, and that the director wanted to give us a whole new version of a super hero; yes, I will argue that the Raftman is a hero.
From what the visuals depicted, I can see that he is some sort of business man, or was dressed for the occasion because of his suit. I don’t know if airlines have rafts so I’m assuming he was on a boat that sank. Now why would he shave every time he wakes up? I believe that the shaving purpose is to show that he is not crazy; I know it sounds crazy, but maybe shaving is the only thing that is keeping him from giving up hope and killing himself. I find the Raftman to be more of a hero then more super hero because he is just a simple but in a situation with no excuses. What is mean by that is that if it was Superman or Batman, they would either fly away, or have some sort of gizmo to bring them back to civilization. However, here is a simple man in a suit in the middle of the ocean with a razor yet he still is able to keep his humanity under this circumstance, and I find very heroic.
So back to the question of what did the director intended for us to get out of this film? Is it about obsession? Is it supposed to be a self reflection? I guess I don’t have a solid answer even though I have re-watch the film over about 10 times now. Maybe the whole purpose was to make the viewer re watch it over and over, like how the comic is the same every time.
2 comments:
This is a great title for your post on medium. What do you mean by "normal" and "weird"? Remember that what is "normal" to you might be "weird" to someone else, and vice-versa. Be careful not to make such generalizations with using examples to demonstrate your point.
I am interested in the argument you make about the logo, and the hand. Although I take issue with your use of "primitive," you are right to point out that versions of this hand are acts of representation for some indigenous and aboriginal groups--the Hopi in the Southwest of the U.S., for instance. I wish you would have lingered on this even more. I like the point you make about its relationship to identity--go further, perhaps using specific examples you learned from the art history class you cite.
The questions in the last paragraph are very intriguing and your post should have explored them further. As it is, the writing is under-developed and you leave the reader wanting more.
Sorry, I chose the wrong box! The first comment is obviously intended for your post on Second Life. Now on to the "The Raftman's Razor." This is a great post, Hung. I appreciate how you involve the reader in your process of coming to a reading of the film. It is a very intriguing piece, I have to admit. It absolutely reminds me of the discussions we had last week on the airline safety cards: the comic book portions of the film are drawn in the same motif. We have the same disaster plot as well and yet the most banal sub-plot, with the shaving every morning.
For your semiotic analysis this week, try to stay closer to an examination of form. Notice that in this post, you tend to go immediately to "meaning" or theme, but challenge yourself to analyze the contours of your object and allow that analysis to lead you to content.
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