CIRCLES, CRYING & CINEMA
Dive into the multifaceted use of circles in six films, exploring their artistic and cinematic significance. As one of the most basic shapes, the circle's simplicity holds immense cultural and symbolic power, demonstrated in various ways by these films.
Publication
191 pages
10” x 13”
□ The CircleThis project investigates the use of circles as a cinematic and cultural symbol across six distinct films: "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "Interstellar," "I Am Not Madame Bovary," "Whiplash," "Uzumaki," and "Requiem for a Dream." As one of the most fundamental shapes, the circle's simplicity embodies profound cultural and symbolic meanings, which these films explore in unique ways. Together, these films demonstrate how the simplicity of the circle can convey deep cultural narratives and explore complex human experiences.
□ Spreads
□ Poster & Exhibition Wall
□ Movies
Everything Everywhere All At Once
the Daniels, 2022
Action/Sci-fiThe circle symbolizes infinite possibilities and interconnectedness, reflecting the film's exploration of the multiverse. Circular motifs, like bagels and visual patterns, represent the cyclical nature of existence and the boundless potential of different life paths. These circles underscore the continuous loop of time and space, emphasizing that all events and experiences are part of a larger, unified whole.
Spirals (Uzumaki)
Junji Ito, 2000
Horror/Sci-fiSpirals are a central motif that evoke a sense of inevitable doom, manifesting in natural phenomena and human behavior to create an atmosphere of growing madness and inescapable fate. This pervasive spiral imagery symbolizes the pull towards chaos and destruction, reflecting the characters' descent into horror as they become entangled in the spiral's sinister influence.
Requiem for a Dream
Darron Aronofsky, 2000
Horror/DramaThe circle symbolizes the destructive cycles of addiction experienced by the characters, emphasizing the repetitive and inescapable nature of their obsessions. The film's visual and narrative structure repeatedly showcases the characters' downward spirals, highlighting how their relentless pursuit of their desires leads to inevitable ruin and despair.
Whiplash
Damien Chazelle, 2014
Drama/Indie film The drum's circular form symbolizes the protagonist's relentless pursuit of perfection, reflecting his obsessive drive to achieve greatness. The film frequently focuses on the circular motion of drumming, mirroring the character's repetitive and intense practice sessions, which illustrate his unyielding dedication and the psychological toll of his ambition.
Interstellar
Christopher Nolan, 2014
Sci-fi/AdventureCircles are depicted through wormholes and time loops, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and space. These circular motifs illustrate the film's exploration of the universe's interconnectedness and the recurring patterns that govern existence.
I am Not Madame Bovary
Feng Xiaogang, 2016
Drama/ComedyCircular narrative frame are used to critique bureaucratic absurdity and rigid societal roles. The film's circular visuals and storytelling emphasize the protagonist's frustrating and repetitive struggle against a system that traps her in an unending loop of injustice.