Salaryman 6 (Knight, 2002) responce

Salaryman 6 (Jake Knight, 2002) is a short film that explores overworking, depression and repetition of life in a Japanese city. The film is unique it’s use of an extremely wide aspect ratio, which compresses the window through which we watch the protagonist, Shiode’s story unfold. This limitation mirrors his own disability to understand his life. The cinematography by Jacques Nuit is iconic in it’s measured static camerawork and dull colour scheme that matches the pace of Shiode’s life as well as the architecture of the environment. The blues and greys establish the protagonist’s depressed mental state. Long shots show Shiode’s insignificance in the city, and the repetitive patterns of the apartments continue the theme of repetition. Repetition is also shown through editing; the same shots and scenes are repeated to show how Shiode’s life repeats every day. There is no music; only diegetic sound is used - This helps establish the narrative as realistic. The narrative is cyclical; it ends as it begins, with the closing shot mirroring the first. While the style and form of the film is unique and creative, the amnesia narrative seemed very formulaic, and is not thoroughly explored. In conclusion, the film is an interesting and unique vignette into a busy city life, but it’s use of amnesia and the camera to give the narrative depth seems an unnecessary gimmick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otWl3Zu1Mr4