June 5, 2019: Reflection on Un Chien Andalou

• What story or narrative do you think the filmmakers are trying to impart? Is there more than one story?
•  I believe that the filmmakers are trying to create a narrative in an elusive manner. At the start of the film, a man and woman are introduced and it seems as though there is tension present in the room. When the woman is hesitant to become involved with the man, either sexually or romantically, he chases after her in the room. As he is chasing her, he becomes attacked to piano slabs and donkeys. Once she exits the room, she is in company of another gentleman. 

• Describe a couple of the symbols / motifs used -- what do you think they mean?
• Cloud covering moon transitioning into the eye slit: This scene appears to be symbolic of sexual tension and submission of the woman to the man’s actions. 
• The piano slabs and donkey attached to the angered man: The purpose of this motif was to shock and nauseate the audience. 
• Ants on hand: The use of ants are a common theme in the works of Salvador Dali. It is said that he dreamt of it and turned it into an important symbol in his art. In this scene, it seems to represent the sensation of pins and needles. 
• How do the filmmakers communicate the passage of time (briefly describe a specific scene and the strategies used)?
• The scene of the cloud covering the moon transitioning into the slitting of the woman’s eye with a razor blade communicate the passage of time. Specifically, the clouds bisecting the moon in a single take portray the passage of time.