Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Hunt
Perhaps the most famous scene from The Rules of the Game involves the scene in which the Marquis' guests shoot rabbit and pheasant beaten from the forest by the gamekeeper. What is so distinctive and striking about the scene? Why does it pack such an emotional punch? What is the deeper significance or symbolism of this scene?
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The famous hunt scene from Jean Renoir’s Rules of the Game, is not only famous because of the cinematic techniques used, but also for the metaphors depicting society during the time period. During most of the film, Renoir utilizes a system of cinematography that values long takes. Most takes throughout the film, are longer than 20 seconds, which is a huge contrast with the famed hunt scene. In the hunt scene, which is around four minutes, Renoir used about 50 takes, cutting from person to person, and helpless animal to helpless animal. These takes were sporadic and chaotic, representing the disorder and madness that was encapsulating the characters of the film. Also, Renoir used incredible and innovative camera movements to give the audience the feeling that they were in the field, participating in the hunt. Most memorable, was the way the cameras tracked through the trees, following the servants of the estate, as they used sticks to force the rabbits and quails into the open field where they would be mercilessly murdered by members of the French elite. In a larger sense, this scene was a commentary on how the French elite displays little regard for the lower classes without any justification to their actions. Throughout the film, the upper class was seen as immoral, heartless, and to a degree, careless of how their actions impacted others. This scene shows how the lower class – servants – were simply compliant props, forced to serve and please the French elite.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Josh and his point that in a larger sense the hunt scene from Renoir’s Rules of the Game was meant to comment or criticize the French elite and how they display little regard for the lower classes not feeling a real need to justify their actions to those “lesser then them”; along with disregarding people forsaking the value of life and ultimately treating it as something that is simply dispensable at the likes of their hands. The film itself follows the antics of these “elites” of French Society as they operate and interact in a world which seems to be functioning and interacting completely separate yet simultaneously with the outside world around them. Though Renoir’s hunt scene can be appreciated through an artistic view for the various cinematic techniques it used; its numerous takes, and its quick sporadic camera movements, the fact still remains that the scene depicted the mass slaughter of helpless animals in order to present these metaphors about society during this particular time period. I believe it’s the truth of the message the movie’s attempting to communicate to its audience along with the inhumanity and boldness of the hunt itself that causes the scene to pack such an emotionally powerful punch.
ReplyDeleteThe famous hunt scene is one of the most enthralling encounters in this film. To avoid reiterating what everybody has already said; the main theme is indeed apparent. What really brings this scene to life is the variation of takes and change of pace that comes with it. Initially, the film is moving at gentle pace. Long takes and minimal editing make it’s rhythm gradual and regular. However, if we pay close attention to quick change in gradual rhythm to a faster rhythm and the series of fast editing, we begin to see why the director took his time to build up the emotions of the audience and then break them down in such spectacular fashion.
ReplyDeleteThe graphic depiction of the dying rabbits and birds is very intricate. First of all, one take shows the shooter killing the animal, and the consecutive shot shows the animal dying. John Renoir vividly depicts this with the rabbit that was shown in its last dying kicks of life. This was very intentional, and it appeals to the humanity of the viewers. At that very moment, we fail to see the artistry and skills of the shooters, but we concentrate more on the effects. There is not doubt that at this point we are at a loss for words, and we take-in this scene with a sour tinge in our mouths and a little resentment for the folks that are killing the animals.
This scene is indeed packed with some emotional mpph, but we must take our hats off to salute the skill that is employed by John Renoir to conjure up such strong emotions.
The purpose of the hunt scene is to do two things. The first is to show how the French aristocracy views the value of life. The sheer number of frames showing plummeting pheasant or rabbits tumbling as they are hit forces the viewer to watch and experience the carnage. The general attitude of the hunters ranges from indifference to joy at killing. For an audience unaccustomed to hunting, these expressions seem out of place. Even most hunters have reverence for life. No form of respect for life is shown during the scene. There are even conversations about which hunter was the one who killed a specific animal. This seems shocking, as it shows that the hunters' desire to kill as many animals as possible. The second use of the scene is to foreshadow the film's ending. The close up of the rabbit slowly dying represents the future death of Andre Jureaux. Just like the rabbit, he falls over clutching his chest as he dies. The value of life to the aristocrats is also mirrored when Robert announces to the guests that Andre's death was just an accident. Robert shows no care or sorrow for Andre's death, just as he showed no remorse for killing so many animals.
ReplyDeleteThe hunt scene definitely is a part of the movie that stirs up emotion, and reveals the underlying messages of this film. What makes this scene so dynamic is just the presentation of this massacre as an everyday thing, and the fact that every single animal gets its own miniature death scene. This scene stays with the viewer just due to its lack of care about life, and also the barbaric mass killing of these creatures. One scene that truly stands out is the last miniature death scene of a rabbit that takes its last breath before it finally dies on the field. The underlying message in this scene is the portray the power these people of the high class believe themselves to have. In their eyes if something immoral or barbaric is done in a dignified or classy way, then the wrong act can be overlooked. Much like in the end scene when the pilot is shot and killed, and a guest at the mansion comments on the whole ordeal as if being handled with class. The members of this elite society see themselves in a way above the general laws that govern society.
ReplyDeleteThe Hunt scene in Jean Renoir’s film, “The Rules of the Game,” is striking for an obvious reason in that many innocent rabbits and pheasants are shot and killed by French aristocrats for pure joy and entertainment. This automatically distinguishes the scene from the rest of the film as it completely distracts viewers from the wild love cycle that was taking place and silences viewers as they watch this unethical and immoral scene unfold. This scene packs such an emotional punch because it makes animals look helpless and insignificant compared to everything else in the world. It portrays animals being subjected to inhumane and cruel actions. It also makes viewers wonder how French aristocrats can live with themselves when they are getting pleasure from killing innocent creatures and watching it all happen without even one single doubt about the whole idea. None of the aristocrats even attempt to stop or question the situation at hand. Rather, they simply jump into the action as if there’s nothing wrong with what’s happening. This ultimately shows the symbolism behind the “Hunt” scene. Jean Renoir didn’t shoot this scene simply to add more to the film, he did it to show the rest of the world how stuck-up, ignorant, and cruel the French aristocracy was during the time the film was made. While the lower class in France was struggling to find work and enjoy the many wonders that life presents to us, the aristocrats were acting on behalf of greed and selfishness by participating in ostracizing activities and hosting lavish parties that only upper classmen were invited too.
ReplyDeleteLittle distinguishes the hunting scene in Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game from other scenes. The only notable thing that occurs to me is overall shorter take length compared with other scenes in the movie. The reason that the scene is considered to pack a strong emotional punch is most likely the fact that a large number of animals are shown being slaughtered by the French elite as entertainment. I would agree with this opinion, considering that I think that shooting animals for sport is not a good thing. I can think of no 'deeper significance' beyond what I have mentioned in the above sentences. Killing animals without a very good reason is bad. Possible definitions of symbolism found on the internet are, (1) "the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character" or (2) "a set or system of symbols" (dictionary.com). Additional definitions given involve various art movements from history, and as such are not likely relevant. Assuming the first definition was the intended definition in your question: Perhaps the French people shooting rabbits represents the more general topic of humans shooting animals. If the second definition was the intended definition of 'symbolism': Perhaps the "...symbols" are the animals which are killed by the French elite.
ReplyDeleteThe hunt scene from The Rules of the Game is seen as one of the striking and emotion-packed scenes in the movie for several reasons. This scene has caught the attention of many film critics because of its filming techniques that differ greatly from the rest of the film and the deeper underlying message of the scene. First, this scene has captured the attention of many viewers because it was designed to do just that. As this movie was filmed, the director, Jean Renoir, used many short cuts that constantly flipped back between the rich characters firing on the animals, and the animals being shot dead as they try to flee. These actions, coupled with the choppy editing of the film both add to an initial emotional impact that leaves the viewer either feeling saddened, upset, sickened or some other similar emotion which then impacts their thoughts on this scene when viewed metaphorically. On the surface, viewers are upset by seeing dozens of animals killed, but when they go more in depth into analyzing the scene, they may still be upset by the actions of the characters that leads to the hunt. This hunting scene is used by Jean Renoir to represent the gluttony of the upper-class. Even though there is nothing wrong with hunting when it is either necessary or some skill is involved the characters in this movie kill for sport, but there is no skill involved in their tactics. Not only does this show the gluttony of the upper-class, but it also shows that they have no problem killing large quantities of innocent animals for no reason other than to get enjoyment out of killing them. Jean Renoir utilizes both camera techniques and metaphor to show his interpretation of upper class society.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie “the rules of the game” the hunt scene shows a few things that are quite striking. This scene is a compilation of a bunch of 2 second jump cuts. This gives people a sense of confusion. The bigger reason this scene packs such a big punch is because it shows actual animals getting killed, multiple times over, just for the sake of cinema. The deeper significance that I got out of it was twofold. Firstly, that people in that time didn’t care about the lives of animals or creatures smaller than them. And the second is that these creatures’ lives were being wasted. We saw upwards of thirty animals trying to flee and get gunned down for no real reason. The same effect could have been obtained by 2-3 animals; the director was greedy and wasteful. Moreover, when we saw the bunny spread its legs and then slowly curl up and die I felt saddened and slightly disturbed. If the movie were ever to be remade it is my recommendation that they take out that scene or at the very least turn all of the animals in to computer generated images of the animals so that this time they could actually say, “no animals were harmed in the making of this film”.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ryan Looney. I saw this film in the early 1980's, and that sickening scene is still with me. I cried at the layers of disrespect -- not only at the shock of seeing graphic suffering of defenseless creatures, and at the metaphorical use of animals as underclassmen whose lives are controlled or ended by powerful elite, but also by the film director's assumption that we would want to see anything so awful. We had no real warning to protect ourselves, no chance to look away. His arrogant and heartless wastefulness of the animals' lives and of our emotional safety was outrageous. I remember sobbing on the way home, telling my companion, "He had no right to do that to the animals, and he had no right to do that to US." Several decades later, I stand by that first impression. Our experiences add to or subtract from the total balance of love on this planet. We can't afford to be mean.
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