Fight Club- Academic Study of Identity and it's Contradictions

https://youtu.be/6pJC0FLA3Sk?si=lu-7FTHsXZYbh2Dz

Here is a short study I did for Sofia's film study of Fight Club during her varsity days. (She said I can post this, I'm assuming that means it's not illegal.)

The assignment was to look at how Fincher uses film techniques to explore and enhance Fight Club's themes of identity and societal impact.

Using a scene from the film, 'Jack's smirking revenge', we analyse the usage of cinematography and editing as a vessel for the Narrator's descent into violence, providing examples.

Brief: [How these techniques ENHANCE the contradition of identity being a confined entity or idea, and how this DECONSTRUCTS NARRATIVE.]

Fight club employs a collaboration of individual elements such as cinematography, editing and sound as a means of placing further emphasis on the theme of deconstructing and shattering the notion surrounding identity being confined to a single form or purpose.

In Jack’s Smirking Revenge, the application of cinematography intentionally aims to establish the office as a stable or non-confrontational location, this is achieved through the use of an establishing wide shot which creates the feeling of character distance and a disconnect between their intentions, paired with an array mid-shots that highlight the Narrator as the main aggressor in this scene.

When the boss raises his voice and leans into the Narrator in a threatening manner, the camera angle cuts to a low angle view of the Narrator as stares down at his balled-fists and shaking palm.

By allowing the Narrator to glance down at his fist signifies his contemplation of combining elements of his work identity with that of his rebellion, the Narrator has a split second to decide that he is in control of the situation.

As the Narrator proceeds to beat himself, the wide-shot aid in exposing his commitment to embracing other elements of his identity, in comparison to the boss who remains standing still and confused which highlights the absurdity of the Narrators actions.

Fincher employs the principles of editing inspired by Pudovkin’s which focuses on scattering visual snippets, such as shifting focus between The Narrator’s physicality and visuals that act as universal symbolism- this can be seen through short cut-in and cut-aways of items such as the Bosses business card and silver plaque, which can be used as reminders that the Narrator is retaliating against capitalistic elements and this will remain his intention the scene.

The parralism and leitmotif enforce the actions occuring versus the Narrator’s internal intentions.

The use of contradicting editing creates a tone of intensity, fluidity and correlation between the contrast of identity aiding in establishing a theme of polarity and in turn challenges the viewer to simultaneously compare two individual actions which strengthens each actions.

Sound plays an integral part in setting an undertone of mischief and anarchy as Fincher chooses to use minimal score which creates intensity and pairing this technique an over emphasis on the harsh sound effects of raw punches or hits and loud shattering of glass defines the seriousness of the Narrator’s actions whilst still showing physical and vocal reactions to the pain he is experiencing, affirming that by embracing this extension of his identity he is still likely to suffer consequences of his actions regardless of their initial intention.

(This is the most Fight Club content you'll get out of me and probably the most academic approach I'll ever attempt).