Dirtying’ Ecocinema Studies: A Decade of Reflection

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

3-2024

Department 1

Environmental Studies

Abstract

Framed in the centre of a lush green forest, two men, one brown-skinned and one paler, occupy the screen in a medium-long shot. Shirtless and wearing terrycloth loincloths, briefs and sneakers, they sit on a log and confer in what sounds like a Native language. Subtitles reveal nonsensical banter about male and female physical prowess. As they swat mosquitoes, the browner man, Chingachgook, offers to take his pale friend, Hawkeye, hunting. When Hawkeye agrees, the two hop off their log and charge offscreen into the woods. For the next four minutes, the camera tracks the men through a full spectrum of shot distances, pans, tilts, high and low anges, front and back, and slow motion – as they journey to the accompaniment of an epic orchestral score. Their hunt takes on a comedic spin as the montage cutting reveals them to be dramatically crisscrossing the same small space while jumping, falling and tripping over each other. Their antics continue until sunset and they stand bent over, breathing hard and loudly dry heaving from the exertion. Undaunted, they carry on as the scene cuts to show them stepping out of the forest to the door of a fast food join. After stoically contemplating the menu, they order 'number 4' meals (with cheese) in English and stand with looks of satisfaction while the music triumphantly swells and the scene ends. [excerpt]

DOI

10.1386/9781789387926_14

ISBN/ISSN

9781789387933

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