As I came to understand with some time, Black mirror is directly talking about media, specifically TV and its derivatives, and our relation with it. In this season, we explore the VHS tech, the Long distance call as avatars, the streaming services, and our exploration of the stars related to this media, To finally end talking about the alienation, the maddening behavior, the inflammation of speeches that comes with this media, this magic mirror we have at home.
Having also a take on genres and exploring the technology that surrounds us since the sixties, the writer and creator also pays homage to British entertainment television while making commentaries on the repercussion these things have in our own story. The woman that gets the protagonist of her life taken from her, the man that loses father, mother and girlfriend to achieve success. The astronaut who loses his family due to gesture of humanity, or the actress who is exposed to the supernatural just for being in the wrong place to record a series.
Finally we have the point of view of a woman cast aside by her reality, treat as less than human by her social circle, and who finds in the tv and the things they show, a comfort.
It’s no coincidence that when this supernatural force materializes, it shows itself as something from Tv, and uses the Tv as a mirror to see itself for the first time.
With its powers, in a snap of s finger, the demon played small edits and cuts from future occurrences, possibilities,
I will not spoil the end here, but I believe you got the point now.
This is still black mirror, it’s still talking about tech and their implications in people’s life’s, but ultimately is providing good stories, condensed movies with plots that entertain.
Loved this season.
Incredibly beautiful.
I feel like this is what by Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere" aspired to be.
I love the type of slowness depicted: not done out of virtuosism for its own sake, but leaning in on the small, apparently insignificant moments like smoking in a balcony or washing hands - it was done beautifully, in a very personal way that allows you to stay with the character for that second longer that allows you to really see him/her and what they're feeling. Or having that moment for you to fully experience your emotions as well.
So often a character is created through a sum of events and actions and words said, cut after cut - whilst you can learn so much from the silences! Such underrated empathic tool.
As much so as the camera focusing on the character itself (or some body parts: I loved Celine Sciamma's glance on hands in "Portrait of a Lady on fire" for example) as they're performing an action - focused, reading through them the emotions they're feeling rather than by showing the action itself. The bike videogame and the interview were brilliant instances.
The part I was astounded by, tho, was the mastery in showing how important a bond can be in making you pull out a better version of yourself you didn't even expect to be there: when Sophie says "happy birthday" on the bus, it's such a simple act and yet the pinnacle of many small ones that remind Calum of what's really life for.
As a personal note: never underestimate how you can affect loved ones, with a caring word of gesture or by simply being there
Such a movie needs a proper walk home after the cinema to let you thoroughly grasp the feelings it conveyed
