“I don’t think there’s one word that can describe a mans life.”
Starting at the Top of AFI’s 100 Years 100 Movies List I begin with Citizen Kane (1941). I first saw this film in a high school film history course, where most people rolled their eyes at the thought of having to watch a black and white movie. Watching Citizen Kane for the second time I felt really in touch with the power and technique that makes this film jump to the top of the list. At what age did you first see this American classic and what did you think of it?
The Basics: Citizen Kane is a film about the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane (played by Orsen Welles), which is a character based on the newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and Orsen Welles own life. “The great yellow journalist himself lived to be history.” The film begins with a title of “News on the March,” where the life of Kane is narrated and then cuts to a group of directors and producers who are criticizing the depth of the film they have just produced. They decide to start digging for more depth into the life of Kane, by visiting those that knew Kane the best.
The Techniques: Two filming techniques stick out the most in Citizen Kane. The first being the use of deep focus, which is found throughout most of the film. Deep focus in this film is used to put the foreground, background, and everything in between in sharp focus. Another great filming technique used throughout the film is the low angle shot. The low angle shot is where the point of view is facing upwards, making the viewer able to see many of the ceilings throughout the film. It also allows characters to have a more powerful and prominent stance.
The Favorites: One of my favorite scenes is the readings of Kane’s manuscripts of memories as a child, which then dissolves into Kane playing in the snow and then as the camera pulls back it shows Kane’s mother and father meeting with Mr. Thatcher. This scene is a great example of the deep focus. Many films have scenes where the shot pulls back to reveal more of the scene but blurs the background or the foregorund to put importance on the other. In Citizen Kane, everything is focused on every detail. This is also the scene shown as back story that introduces a running theme in his life and why is life was forever changed.
A second favorite scene is the part right after the Night at the Opera, when Kane and his wife Susan are arguing over her bad review that was made by kane’s friend Leeland. I love the film technique in this scene with the lighting and the low angle shots. Kane is standing after answering the door and Susan screams she doesn’t want to sing anymore. Kane walks over to her in anger and as he gets closer his shadow blocks the light on her body and he says she will continue singing. Just more symbolism of the power and control Kane wants over he.
My final favorite is how the director is able to show how time progresses throughout the film. The director does this by showing newspaper headlines coming out about Kane, which he after all was the news. The scenes are then faded in and out with the newspaper to show quickly movement in time. What is your favorite part of Citizen Kane?
Until next time: The Godfather I’ll be watching…
Ashley's AFI Movie Blog 