Intervals by Peter Greenaway

A lovely (very short) film you should all watch: http://www.livevideo.com/video/embedLink/50F2729C98E448B99056C12478358224/579556/peter-greenaway-intervals-1.aspx

And my thoughts....

Greenaway’s film is essentially composed of small segments recording doorways and walkways on the streets of Venice, set to various sounds- some specific to Italy and some apparently random. Although the canals are an integral part of the city’s identity, there is only one clip showing the water- just enough to place us within the particular.

While viewing this film I was initially struck by the lovely decay of the city- old bricks, worn stones, graffiti, and torn and faded posters or advertisements, which people bustle past, engaged in present, more pressing matters than the history of the city they inhabit. The background sounds begin with odd rhythmic beats and an occasional scattering of signature Italian sounds- pigeons flying, church bells tolling, the taxi boat honking. Different scenes begin to repeat, sometimes with their sounds, sometimes without. It reminded me of traveling through San Francisco to school with my ipod playing peaceful, familiar music. Somehow by blocking the sounds of the city I have the interior space to take in more visual information. Perhaps this is Greenaway’s intent as well.