Practices of Viewing
October 10th, 2024
Screening venue
Kunstraum Baden
Curator: Chantal Molleur
The act of viewing shapes our perceptions and interpretations of the world, offering insights into human behavior, societal norms, and the complexities of our surroundings. Through introspective lenses, we dissect the dynamics of observation, examining the power and responsibilities inherent in our gaze. "Practices of Viewing," inspired by Johannes Binotto’s 2023 film, scrutinizes the act of viewing in cinema, probing the question of 'What is my position?' and the power of comprehension.
Chantal Molleur has chosen six films that collectively interrogate the nuances of viewing practices, each offering a distinctive perspective on how observation shapes and is shaped by cinematic form. Morgane Frund’s OURS delves into the ethics of the gaze and its voyeuristic implications, while Johannes Binotto’s Practices of Viewing: Dubbing challenges traditional notions of linguistic authenticity in film through the lens of dubbing. Elodie Pong’s On A Beautiful Day starkly contrasts the idealized notion of migration with the harsh realities of the Strait of Gibraltar, presenting a complex interplay between narrative and socio-political context. Claudius Gentinetta’s Think Something Nice uses animation to explore the escape from physical and existential discomfort, employing a fantastical narrative as a form of psychological distancing. Roman Hodel’s The Game provides an incisive look at the role of the referee, highlighting the dynamics of authority and spectacle within the football arena. Finally, Corina Schwingruber Ilić’s Been There offers a reflective commentary on the pervasive nature of modern travel, questioning what we gain from these fleeting experiences in an era where weekend trips and overloaded destinations have become the norm.
Together, these works prompt a critical examination of the power dynamics and interpretative frameworks that inform our engagement with film, encouraging a deeper reflection on the impact of viewing practices on both content and perception.
Film program
Ours
by Morgane Frund
Switzerland, Documentary Essay, 19 min, German, Swiss-German and French
An amateur filmmaker, who has spent years recording footage of bears, contacts a film school seeking someone to edit his footage into a film. A student comes forward However, when she begins digitizing his archive, she discovers that the recordings capture more than just bears. This leads to a discussion about the power of the gaze and its inherent voyeuristic violence.
PRACTICES OF VIEWING: DUBBING
by Johannes Binotto
Switzerland, Video Essay, 12 min 38, 2023, German and English
The video essay is a personal exploration by the creator of the languages that have shaped his experience with films. He examines dubbing in movies, questioning the belief that the original language is the only authentic way to watch. The essay suggests that dubbing, often seen as disruptive, can offer new perspectives by highlighting different voices and languages.
On A beautiful day
by Elodie Pong
Switzerland, Experimental Documentary, 6 min 27, 2023, French with English Subtitles
Despite its fierce winds and dangerous waters, the Strait of Gibraltar has increasingly become the route of choice for migrants using Morocco as a gateway to Europe, making the mouth of the Mediterranean Basin into a tragic site of hope and death.
Think something nice
by Claudius Gentinetta
Switzerland, Animation, 6 min, 2022, English with German Subtitles
At the mercy of the dentist's chair, the protagonist cannot escape the confrontation with pain and the dregs of the miserable human condition. To distract himself, he takes refuge in a fantasised story of fishermen and the sea.
The Game
by Roman Hodel
Switzerland, Documentary, 17 min, 2020, Swiss German, German, Turkish, English with English Subtitles
A whistle. It gets loud in the spectator stands. The players protest angrily. The commentators follow the action on the field. In the middle of it, the referee. The whole stadium watches him. Now he has to decide. With the referee Fedayi San we experience the highs and lows of a football game, what it means to earn respect on the field and to direct the energy of an entire stadium.
Been There
by Corina Schwingruber Ilić
Switzerland, Documentary, 17 min, 2020, sound
Weekend trips, city breaks, a detour into nature or once around the world. Barely a few days off, you're already gone. Never before has the desire to travel been so widespread and visited places so overloaded. What do we get out of it, other than the picture proof that we have been there?