Impatience (1928)
Experimental Beginnings
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36m
Silent film poem: woman, motorcycle, mountain landscapes race in a visual symphony of impatience.
Impatience (1928), a groundbreaking work by Belgian artist Charles Dekeukeleire, throws out traditional narrative structure, instead focusing on the raw power of visual elements. The film presents four distinct characters: a roaring motorcycle, a hauntingly beautiful woman, a majestic mountain range, and a series of abstract geometric shapes.
Dekeukeleire fragments these characters, breaking them down into close-ups, rapid cuts, and unusual angles. This deconstruction challenges the way we perceive moving images. He then reassembles them in a rhythmic, almost mathematical, fashion. Each shot is carefully placed, creating unexpected connections and forcing the viewer to actively engage with the film.
Impatience also pushes boundaries by incorporating elements rarely seen in cinema at the time. The film features what is considered the first instance of an erotic portrayal of a motorcycle. The juxtaposition of the woman's body with the machine's raw power further emphasizes the film's exploration of unconventional beauty and visual language.
By rejecting traditional storytelling and embracing fragmentation, rhythm, and unconventional subject matter, Impatience stands as a prime example of experimental film's ability to redefine the cinematic experience.
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