Ballet Mecanique - A Non-Linear Pure Abstract Film

Ballet Mecanique - Fernand Leger (1924)

Ballet Mecanique is an incredibly influential piece of abstract film created to contrast a conventional ballet, but by using inanimate objects and machinery as opposed to the beautiful natural flow of a human dancing. The film would easily fit into a non-linear category, having no conventional structure; the narrative is almost non-existent, instead replaced by abstract images, and using editing and inventive camera techniques to portray the imagery of dancing and movement. There is no real beginning, middle and end, instead, similar to a painting, it just exists to be marvelled at without any real understanding of what is going on. Bordwell and Thompson attempt to explain that Ballet Mecanique has nine segments to it, almost giving it structure, but follow up on this explanation by saying "With these expectations set up in the short introductory section, the film goes on to vary its sections." The film's "sections" are constantly shifting in tone, imagery and themes which create this incoherent structure. Therefore, this film could also fit into the category of pure abstract, it's inventive use of sound, mixed with its use of imagery, and without a true narrative makes it more abstract than coherent. This decision at the time it was made was not uncommon, a more experimental view of film making was far more acceptable, people trying to break the boundaries of film making and see what it was capable of. However, while initially exciting for a director or producer, these ideas and stylistic decisions can confuse an audience. This is likely more true of a modern audience as opposed to a contemporary audience. A modern audience has certain expectations, a coherent narrative, understandable visuals and clear sound, which this film lacks greatly. It would be difficult to release a film such as Ballet Mecanique to the audience, as a film such as this would likely bore or confuse a modern viewer. Had the film maker decided to create a coherent narrative and make it less abstract and yet include the creation of an unnatural ballet, then the effect on the audience would differ drastically. However, for the time this was not the case for a lot of films. Films were more experimental, and those that had narrative, such as 'Metropolis' (1927) remained very abstract and often incoherent, deciding to convey a theme or message through more abstract imagery than a narrative.