Postmodernism and Peter Greenaway

It can be quite difficult to determine postmodernist film from modernist film, as they are often both interlinked with the avant-garde meaning they have some similar qualities. However, there are some distinct differences too, such as the use of intertextuality or the subversion of high and low art (Long and Wall, 2009.). Peter Greenaway is a director who I feel really portrays postmodernist ideas in his films in a unique and daring way. His 1986, a Zed and Two Noughts, is a particularly disturbing and provoking film that is made up of a few of these techniques. His use of intertextuality is perhaps one of the most postmodern traits in this film. He constantly references other artworks, including his own future work. E.G. He recreates Vermeer’s painting ‘The Music Lesson’ in visuals, not only referencing Vermeer but also shattering the idea of high art at the same time. The woman (Alba) and the entire mise-en-scene represents the high art, yet she plays the song ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ which represents a mass culture or low art, breaking the boundaries, bringing one up and the other down. While at the beginning of the film the shot of the newspaper article, if you look carefully also signifies some of Greenaway’s (future) films such as ‘a hot bath heart attack’ which suggests at the film Drowning by Numbers (1988) (FilmWalrus, 2008.). Alongside this intertextuality the sheer story behind z00 is utterly disturbing and completely distinct from the mainstream or ‘modern’ cinema. The twins begin with filming decomposing animals, using more and more complex animals. They finally realise that the only conclusion to their experiments is to film a human decomposition, in which they end up using themselves. You won’t find that in a Hollywood film.

References:

A Zed And Two Noughts (1986.) Directed by Peter Greenaway [Film.] UK: BFI.

Drowning By Numbers (1988.) Directed by Peter Greenway [Film.] UK: Film Four International.

FilmWalrus. (2008) 'Review of A Zed and Two Noughts' Film Walrus Reviews, 1st January 2008. Available at: http://www.filmwalrus.com/2008/01/review-of-zed-and-two-noughts.html (Accessed 20 April 2012.)

Long, P. and Wall, T. (2009.) ‘Modernism, Postmodernism and After’ in Media Studies: Texts, Production and Context. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.