All composers hold a mirror to what they consider to be the key aspects of their perception of our common humanity. Through Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending, it is apparent that each composer perceives our common humanity in a different light. These compositions are set in a time nearing the end of life as humankind apprehends it to be, thus creating high levels of uncertainty and unrest within society. It is under these conditions that the audience is able to comprehend the different ways in which each composer discerns our common humanity.
Throughout Beasts of the Southern Wild, Zeitlin explores the notion that a person’s worldview is tied to where they came …show more content…
This can be noted in the opening scene, whereby a handheld camera was used whilst a violent storm was brewing. The handheld camera also resembled Hushpuppy’s perception that order can be restored to the universe through one’s behaviour—just like stability can be restored to the film by changing the behaviour of the cameraman. This was also reinforced when Hushpuppy explained “you gotta fix what you can” because “if you can fix the broken piece, it can all go right back.” Therefore, it can be seen that within Beasts of the Southern Wild, Zeitlin has used Hushpuppy’s character to explore the key aspects of his perception of our common humanity—a humanity that is broken, yet can still be salvaged through one’s …show more content…
Whilst Beasts of the Southern Wild and The Road examine humanity in a post-apocalyptic context, The Sense of an Ending deals with humanity in circumstances a little closer to home. Yet, all compositions have been able to explore the perception of humanity that became evident in the specific situation, thus showing the significance of context when examining perceptions of humanity. It would not be fair to compare these differing perceptions of our common humanity, without acknowledging the role that the prevailing conditions play in determining how humanity reacts, which in consequence will influence how humanity is
Throughout Beasts of the Southern Wild, Zeitlin explores the notion that a person’s worldview is tied to where they came …show more content…
This can be noted in the opening scene, whereby a handheld camera was used whilst a violent storm was brewing. The handheld camera also resembled Hushpuppy’s perception that order can be restored to the universe through one’s behaviour—just like stability can be restored to the film by changing the behaviour of the cameraman. This was also reinforced when Hushpuppy explained “you gotta fix what you can” because “if you can fix the broken piece, it can all go right back.” Therefore, it can be seen that within Beasts of the Southern Wild, Zeitlin has used Hushpuppy’s character to explore the key aspects of his perception of our common humanity—a humanity that is broken, yet can still be salvaged through one’s …show more content…
Whilst Beasts of the Southern Wild and The Road examine humanity in a post-apocalyptic context, The Sense of an Ending deals with humanity in circumstances a little closer to home. Yet, all compositions have been able to explore the perception of humanity that became evident in the specific situation, thus showing the significance of context when examining perceptions of humanity. It would not be fair to compare these differing perceptions of our common humanity, without acknowledging the role that the prevailing conditions play in determining how humanity reacts, which in consequence will influence how humanity is