FACTFILE: GCE A2 LEVEL MOVING IMAGE ARTS ADVANCED PORTFOLIO – PRACTITIONER STUDY DIRECTOR:

Kelly Reichardt

Overview • Use of long-takes and lengthy silences where characters are often defined by their inability Kelly Reichardt is an to speak directly about their problems and acclaimed independent experiences, as seen in , for example film maker whose realist • Use of rural landscapes to represent character, narratives tend to focus on such as the rural Oregon locations of Meek’s characters facing profound Cutoff and Old Joy emotional and physical • Creative use of aspect ratios, such as in Meek’s challenges. These tales are Cutoff where Reichardt opted not to shoot her often presented as literal film in widescreen (as would normally be done journeys, where there may be no assurance of a by directors trying to exploit the grandeur of the safe arrival. Her characters tend to be marginalised location) but instead filmed in the smaller 4:3 people on the fringes of society and she invariably aspect ratio places them in landscapes and locales which, though quintessentially American, are seldom seen Some recommended texts:* in mainstream Hollywood cinema. So, for example, her drama Old Joy (2006) unfolds in the Cascade River of Grass (1994) Mountains of Oregon whilst Alaska’s fishing towns Old Joy (2006) serve as the backdrop to (2008). Wendy and Lucy (2008) Reichardt believes that film storytelling is a combination of character dialogue, locations and Meeks Cutoff (2010) the choice of visuals. She encourages film makers Night Moves (2013) to focus on visual storytelling rather than dialogue, however, to reveal the truth. Certain Woman (2016)

*Please note that the filmography of some practitioners featuring in the A2 MIA fact file series may include 18 certificate Some techniques for study and films. These films, if significant, may be mentioned in the exploration: overview to provide career background but will not be listed as recommended for study by CCEA. It is the responsibility of • Use of road movie narratives and stories centred the teacher to ensure that students only view films with age around a protagonist’s journey, for example the appropriate content and certification. heroine of Wendy and Lucy is on a trek searching Many films have had their certification reviewed in recent for stable employment and the characters in years. For more details go to www.bbfc.co.uk and use the film Meek’s Cutoff (2010) are 19th century pioneers certification search function. seeking a better life in the expanses of the West Credits All images by C.Ryder

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