Cinematic Unreliability in The Father

Authors

  • Emma Deleuran Jørgensen Aarhus University
  • Josephine Iben Kjeldbjerg Aarhus University
  • Sofie Baadsgaard Krogh Aarhus University
  • Sofie Møller Larsen Aarhus University
  • Amalie Pinnerup Aarhus University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/lev92023136284

Keywords:

dementia, The Father, cinematic unreliability, unreliable narrator, non-linear storytelling

Abstract

How does one best portray the consequences of dementia? Dementia is a type of mental deterioration, where a person gets lost in their own mind, slowly losing grasp of time and space. In his award-winning film The Father (2020), director Florian Zeller explores this theme through his 80-year-old protagonist Anthony. With the intention of positioning the viewer in the shoes of the deeply invalidated protagonist, Zeller intentionally confuses the viewer through narrational repetition and gradually shifting settings and characters, constantly making the viewer question the progression and cohesion of the story. This video essay focuses on cinematic unreliability, analysing the film’s mise-en-scène, nonlinear plot and film techniques such as shot-size, lighting, and sound.

References

Gilbey, Ryan. ‘Florian Zeller on The Father: “Anthony Hopkins took me in his arms. We knew the miracle had happened”’. The Guardian, 4 March 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/04/florian-zeller-father-anthony-hopkins-miracle-olivia-colman.

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Published

2023-03-23

How to Cite

Jørgensen, E., Kjeldbjerg, J., Krogh, S., Larsen, S., & Pinnerup, A. (2023). Cinematic Unreliability in The Father. Leviathan: Interdisciplinary Journal in English, (9). https://doi.org/10.7146/lev92023136284

Issue

No. 9 (2023)

Section

Video essays

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Leviathan: Interdisciplinary Journal in English

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