NIGHT AND FOG is extremely cinematic using editing in a way that constructs the story. But this is not an easy subject to watch. NIGHT AND FOG is a short documentary that cannot be ignored. It graphically demonstrates the horror of the holocaust and the eleven million people who were murdered. There are no reenactments or speculations in this thirty minute historical documentary essay. Only actuality, questions and reflection about how and why something like this could happen and why it must never happen again in human history. In the years since this documentary film was made there have been many fictional films produced based on true stories or other information, but none of these films has had the impact of NIGHT AND FOG which methodically explores the reality of this gruesome time in history in the context of the concentration camps.
NIGHT AND FOG directed by Alain Resnais was made in 1955, ten years after WWII ended. It combines color footage shot in 1955 of the abandoned German concentration camps, captured black and white footage, and photographs shot by the German’s, photographs and footage shot by the Allies who liberated the camps, music by Hannus Eisler and narration, by Jean Caroll. The result, some say, goes beyond traditional documentary filmmaking, creating a nonfiction essay on film.
Resnais began his career in film as an editor. NIGHT AND FOG demonstrates an editing technique that pieces together a mirror of events and places, then and now, in a cuts only montage. When you see the color footage of the camps and environment from 1955 in juxtaposition to the more abstract black and white archival/ historical footage it moves you back in time. The actuality of that world becomes emotionally clear.
NIGHT AND FOG is an exceptional documentary film in every way. It should be seen by everyone in the world, by every generation, not only to show what happened but to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. It should also be seen as a documentary film that makes a nonfiction statement. NIGHT AND FOG explores history, and asks questions; it advocates thinking about these events in connection with the human condition. The approach Resnais uses in this documentary has influenced nonfiction filmmakers ever since it was made. It presents an objective reality about human actions that are difficult to comprehend. Yet similar events with names like “ethnic cleansing” are still happening in different places around the world.
In the words of the narrator, at the end of the film, “…we turn a blind eye to what surrounds us and a deaf ear to humanity’s never-ending cry.”
J R MARTIN
“…the greatest film ever made…” – François Truffant
NIGHT AND FOG HAS BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE IN THREE PARTS
PART 1 NIGHT AND FOG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8qTFuMcDLs
PART 2 NIGHT AND FOG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9frXX1qOqSY&feature=related
PART 3 NIGHT AND FOG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oA4OBuaWYY&feature=fvwrel
Tags: ALAIN RESNAIS, CONSENTRATION CAMPS, DOCUMENTARY REVIEWS, holocaust, NIGHT AND FOG, NUIT ET BROUILLARD
