'Om'

At first glance ‘Om’ is not a particularly complex piece of work due to its short length. However in my opinion there is an awful lot wrapped up in just under two minutes.
The Most apparent feature in this film is its use f representation and in turn how it plays on our expectations due to cultural connotations. The opening shot paint the picture of a Buddhist monk meditating. The slight wispy curl of smoke indicates a stick of incense burning slightly off camera. The orange robe fits with the universally accepted dress of a Buddhist monk. As does the shaved head. The continuous ‘om’ that plays out in the background help to round off this idea of a meditating Buddhist monk that has been laid out. This image brings to mind then several different elements that would go along with a meditating monk. Ideas of peace and tranquillity that the Buddhist religion is famed for.
The film then moves on to reveal slowly that this is not a tranquil Buddhist monk, but a Skin head, in a barbers shop. These two groups of people are polar opposites, their only connecting feature being a shaved head. In doing this the film makes one question their own judgment. This is what appears to be the filmmaker’s intention. It is also a seemingly brief study of how powerful semiotics can be in a viewers judgment of a character. The ‘skinhead’ does not say a word but already we judge him. When he appears to be a monk we assume he is a peaceful person, full of love for the world and everything init. When he is revealed to be a skin head, signified by his dress-a Fred Perry shirt, braces, shaved head- we see him as a violent racist thug. SO this is in some ways a play on the old ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. However I believe there is a deeper meaning than simply that. I believe it is more about representation of characters within film. Sometimes characters have to be introduced quickly and the best way to do this is through representation. This again reinforces the idea that we assume things about this man from simply seeing him, the film appeared to be saying how powerful visual impressions are on a human’s judgment of character.
This is an incredibly effective film, in only a short space of time it manages to portray an incredibly strong message. More than portraying a message it make one consider their own judgements of people. What’s more it also challenges the idea of basic filmic conventions of representation being an effective method of introducing a character, as here it is clearly shown not to be. In addition to this the film is genuinely comic. Which is something that is not especially common place within the school of experimental film. I would also say that ‘om’ definitely falls under the bracket of experimental film. It, as has been shown, challenges the conventions of ‘normal filmmaking.
Taking this film in an inspirational context, it is definitely something we will draw on. The use of lighting is something we are especially interested in. The way the skinhead is the only thing in the show lit ageist a black background is something we want to use in our film.