Analysis: "Interval"

Interval is an experimental short film made by Peter Greenaway in 1969. It focusses heavily on rhythm and cutting and is a good example of how simplistic film can still be very effective and thus, in a way, quite complex.

A still from Interval, just before a cut

My favourite thing about this piece is the relation between image and sound, executed through the means of cutting. As images are shown on screen, they cut in time with whatever rhythm is being played - be it a metronome or a recital of the alphabet. This is very effective on a visual level, as it is at first very surprising to the audience. Although the novelty wears off as viewers become accustomed to the rhythmic nature of the piece, the cutting still serves as a good device for creating enigma and keeping the audience interested. When it cuts away, pieces of the 'narrative' are omitted, and the audience is left wondering what happened in the space in between; even if the action seems mundane.

I am very inspired by the cutting-to-rhythm style of this piece, and feel it would work very well as a structuralist technique used in my own film. It has provoked me to consider using a similar technique, but alternating between shots - each shot cutting into the action of the shot before, and then vice versa. I do feel, however, that at times the structure of this piece was not executed smoothly or in a disciplined fashion, which does not appeal to me. I feel that when taking a structuralist approach it is important to follow the rules you have set yourself, and so I will ensure I do this in my own project.