Potiental third focus film.

Deliverance
John Boorman, 1972.

Pink Flamingos
John Waters, 1972.

Blue Velvet
David Lynch, 1986.

Oldboy
Park Chan-wook, 2003.

Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook, 2005.

Films I have looked at so far..

- Un Chien Andalou (1928)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- American History X (1998)
- Irreversible (2002)

Colleague's choices:
- Dancer in the Dark (2000)
- Requiem for a Dream (2000)
- Mean Creek (2004)
- Funny Games (2008)

American History X: ‘Seth’s Visit’

Prior to the scene the audience get a little taste of what the character Seth is like. This brief sequence shows Seth singing along to Johnny Rebel’s catchy yet racist tune, “The White Man Marches On”.
In a way, this sequence is quite shocking. When I first watched this, I did not know what to make of it. I feel the choice of song is confusing for the audience. It is a simple, catchy and quite jolly tune that you could easily sing along to. The lyrics are deeply racist, but the first time I watched this it did not register that what I was singing was bad. I am not a racist person, but I felt bad for singing along. If an audience member sings along does this mean they are embracing the racism, not realising, or getting caught up in the character’s values’?

What types of emotion did I experience?

When Seth arrives at Derek’s house, the audience can see he is clearly unwanted. From the moment he barged through the door I felt nothing but disgust and annoyance for Derek’s family. The sister’s actions prove that he comes to the house regularly uninvited. He invades their privacy by documenting his visit through a video recorder. The lack of respect for the Vinyard household and his physical appearance are two of many elements that make the audience feel disgust towards him.

As Seth waits for Derek, he pressurises Danny into a racist rant. This is presented to the audience through a handheld camera. Once Danny starts talking seriously, it becomes intense and it almost feels like we are there.

Derek interrupts Seth and Danny by asking his brother a question. As he tries to start a discussion Seth keeps interrupting. At this point Danny seems confused and caught up in this triangle which consists of his born-again brother and his brother’s racist friend. This situation creates empathy as everything Danny thought he believed in is questioned when he’s older brother states his teacher is a “good man”.

How did these emotions shape my responses?

The anger, disgust and sympathy I felt whilst watching this scene made me feel like I was there myself. I just wanted to scream at Seth and get him out the house.

What are the reasons for my emotions?

The scene becomes intense as Danny subtly breaks the fourth wall by talking to audience through a handheld camera.
I believe the editing of this sequence adds to the irritation of Seth’s actions. The way the camera cuts from Derek and his phone call to the rest of the family in the living room creates some sort of build up. As the audience take in Seth in small portions it isn’t long till he becomes very, very irritating.