Degrees of Blindness (1988)

Degrees of Blindness Poster

Inspired by a poem by William Blake: a short experimental film about the perception of vision.

Film Introduction
"Degrees of Blindness" (1988) is a stimulating speculative short film deeply engaged with visual culture and understandings. This thoughtful work is an expedition of the restrictions of vision and insights. Directed and composed by Ann Marie Fleming, this Canadian movie offers an ingenious cinematic experience that presses the border of traditional storytelling, compelling audiences to question and examine their kinetic understandings.

Plot Summary
At the heart of "Degrees of Blindness" lies a double narrative focusing on 2 people: a female who is entirely blind and a man who is gradually losing his sight. Both characters browse their particular lives while dealing with various degrees of vision impairment. The film unfolds their experiences of interaction with the world around them, illustrating how their loss of sight impacts their point of views and mindsets.

The woman, entirely blind from birth, recounts her independence, an impressive psychological picture of funny wit, decision, and strength. She speaks about her dreams in which she perceives colors and images, in spite of the reality that she has actually never ever physically seen them.

On the other hand, the male, who is gradually losing his vision, experiences tremendous unhappiness, fear, and apprehension. As he grapples with the truth of his degrading sight, he regrets about the possible loss of information, colors, and light.

Design and Form
"Degrees of Blindness" blurs the line in between documentary and fiction with its ingenious, non-traditional narrative structure. Ann Marie Fleming utilizes an interesting selection of movie methods, consisting of interviews, voice-over narrative, using metaphors, images, and meaning. The film is aesthetically arresting, pairing narrative elements with abstract images and shots of city life that serve as metaphors for declining sight.

Themes and Interpretation
One of the defining styles of "Degrees of Blindness" is the idea of varying understandings, both from the viewpoint of spotted and blind people. Fleming ingeniously invites audiences to question their viewing experience, challenging the norms of seeing cinema. The film likewise stresses the stark contrast between the female's relative convenience with her lifelong blindness and the male's fear of his upcoming visual disability.

Important Reception
"Degrees of Blindness" was received with vital recognition, and it has actually been widely acknowledged for its avant-garde narrative structure and unconventional storytelling. With its poignant exploration of the human condition and the significance of sight in understanding our world, this movie has actually strengthened Fleming's status as an innovator of the Canadian movie market.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, "Degrees of Blindness" is a speculative, aesthetically engaging film that digs exceptionally into the human experience of vision and sight loss. By contrasting the experiences of two individuals handling various degrees of blindness, the film implores viewers to assess the significance of sight, not merely in the physical world, but also for psychological and cognitive orientation. This film serves as an interesting expedition of perception, memory, and the power of human resilience in the face of hardship.

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