International Journal of Language & Literature

Representation and Quest for Reality in Chris Marker’s La Jetée
Hanieh Bakhtiari

Abstract
The representation of the narrative in La Jetée (1963) by Chris Marker takes place through drawing on three representational methods of still photos, a narrative script, and a voiceover all fitting into form of a film. Though Marker had the possibility of representing his narrative through the medium of either scripts or still photos as his signifier, he did not feel content with any of these two techniques in isolation and sensed the inadequacy of one single representational medium in putting forth his intended meaning. Therefore, he proceeded with both of these methods and went even further by inserting a third element of voiceover to generate a greater impact on his audience. Holding these in hand, Marker has shattered the linear progress of his work by promoting to a chaotic narrative scattered in time. The present study shows how the way Marker manipulated these methods for representation of his narrative has worked efficiently in bringing his audience closer to the reality inherent in La Jetée and that ,by saying more than what he could have said, Marker has been able to exert the influence of his signified meaning more powerfully and profoundly.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijll.v6n1a9