Tuesday 17 October 2017

Post Modernism - "Mulholland Drive"

Five reasons why"Mulholland Drive" is an example of Post Modernism

"Mulholland Drive"
is a 2001 film directed by David Lynch that provides a distorted and cryptic narrative of a failed movie actress in Loss Angeles. Regarded as one of Lynch's finest work, the story remains one of his more complex pieces consisting of both dark and surreal imagery. The film "Mulholland Drive" falls under several categories of post modernism. 


1.(Non-linear narrative) The first portion of "Mulholland Drive" is told through the warped mind of Diane, a depressed and failed actress. As a direct result of this the narrative received by the audience takes place in an alternative to reality. 

2.(Reflection on Hollywood) The film's story follows an actress who has just arrived in Los Angeles, hoping to climb up the ranks and one day reach greatness. This, perhaps now typical Hollywood story, has been reflected to the reality of Hollywood with dreams being crushed by the film industry. Those hoping to one day be famous being stuck at the bottom rather than reflecting main stream films of those who gain fame. 

3.(Unreliable narrator) The story is seen through the eyes of Diane meaning that the story is not told with clarity or objective truth but instead feelings of anger and depression. This leads to a interpretation that is used by Diane to escape from her reality. 

4.(Fragmented) The story itself does not have a single conceit story line. This means that the film does not follow a normal narrative but instead takes three different story lines and breaks them down. As a result the story is difficult to follow. 

5.(Realism) There are many scenes within the film that have very loose connections to the story as a whole, seeming incredibly abstract. One example of this is the performance put on by the Club Silencio where everything was regarded as an illusion. Another is the hallucination of an elderly couple that haunts Diane.  


Metanarrative: A grand narrative, theory or reasoning that can offer an explanation for a number of events and experiences. Examples of these include science, art and religion. 

Essentialism: The pure essence or reasoning for an object is referred to as essentialism and regards the importance or pure nature of such object. 

Utopian: An environment (mostly cities) that can provide the best for all its residents. Essential a perfect place where all are happy and benefit greatly as one unit. 

Axiomatic: Without question meaning that the proposed theory or concept does not require evidence as it proves itself. There is no reason to question such a concept.

Dystopian: The opposite of Utopian, describing an area that is unsuitable for living, where all suffer and cannot rise to that of a good living standard. There is no escape from such a terrible life as all are equal.

Scepticism: Doubtful of the information that has been provided. Creating questions and trying to poke holes in the concept or knowledge.

Relativism: A doctrine (a writing telling how to complete or follow and action under certain circumstances) that states there are no absolute truths. 

Pluralism: A principle that accepts the existence of one or more theories of explanation, more often done to suit specific situations and people. 

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