Deciphering Kubrick.

The art of cinema is a superior and exquisite form of art and direction is the undisputed crown of it. A good direction possesses this unique capability to turn an average script and just-about-the-mark plot into something which can be categorized as a masterpiece. Every once in a while, we witness such strokes of genius on the screen.

Whenever the term direction and good direction pops up, a handful of names emerge in mind right away. Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, John Ford, Sergio Leon and Alfred Hitchcock are among the godfathers of modern art of direction. Among them, Kubrick’s genius and unique style glisters bright and high. Although most of his masterpieces were controversial yet they depict the depth of his imagination and  the vastness of his vision. His sci-fic masterpiece “2001: A Space Odyssey” happens to be, undoubtedly, one of the greatest movies of all time. I don’t think so any other movie has ever sparked such heated discussions and debates. I personally have seen hundreds of movies, positively the number exceeds 500, but I don’t recall any movie that almost involuntarily compelled me into deep meditations, both from scientific and philosophical aspects. It happens to be one of the most enigmatic, mysterious, thought-provoking, original, imaginative and visionary movies with ground-breaking special effects and score. Beginning from four million years ago and culminating at 2001, this is the story of mankind’s evolution, mental and intellectual more than physical. A tribute to restless and boundless human spirit. Interestingly, the movie contains only 45 minutes of spoken dialogues over a running time of two hours and twenty minutes!

 

Amidst the countless ramblings and renditions, Kubrick never offered any ‘official’ interpretation of the storyline of 2001:ASO. In an interview, he remarked:

 

“… If the film stirs the emotions and penetrates the subconscious of the viewer, if it stimulates, however inchoately, his mythological and religious yearnings and impulses, then it has succeeded.”

 

Clockwork Orange, and ultra-violent film, takes us deep into human nature, morality and complex psychology and the consequences of it being supressed by force. The movie was so controversial that once it was nominated for Oscar, no one was willing to come up and announce the nominations and the winner for best picture, as none wanted their name associated with this controversy. Jack Nicholson, however, an ever-dare-devil, finally plunged in.

 

Kubrick is not for those movie buffs who seek pure entertainment or action. His movies are food for positive though, an intellectual nourishment. And that, to me, is the most important purpose of the art of cinema.