Michelangelo Antonioni's films are known for capturing erratic personal moments of uncertainty and moral disorientation within his characters sterile and malleable identities. They are often being tempted by the modern trappings of self-absorption, mercenary pleasure and indifference. His unique cinematographic style utilized long tracking shots of human isolation contrasted against an austere or bleak background terrain. The natural (or industrial) landscape would absorb the characters - plying them into a more vulnerable ethical state while emotionally separating them from their traditional bearings. Described as a 'quintessential modern artist' Antonioni is a fervent expressionist who utilized intense haunting imagery. His pure compositions are how he crafted a totally new cinema language - one frequently described as both pioneering and revolutionary.

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Michelangelo Antonioni
by Seymour Chatman, Paul Duncan

 

Director - Selected filmography and review links:

 

Eros (2004) (segment "The Dangerous Thread of Things"), Beyond the Clouds (1995), Identification of a Woman (1982), Il Mistero di Oberwald (1981), The Passenger (1975), Zabriskie Point (1970), Blow-up (1966), Red Desert (1964), L'Eclisse (1962), La Notte (1961) , L'Avventura (1960), Il Grido (1957), Le Amiche (1955), L'Amore in Citta (1953), La Signora Senza Camelie (1953), I Vinti (1953), Story of a Love Affair (1950)