Thoughts on Emak Bakia a film by Man Ray

Emak Bakia seems to be more of a way to explore what can be done with film than a film itself. Man Ray begins his film with his iconic photography put in motion. He used nails and salt which he placed on the film to create a positive image. These images in motion create a very confusing and almost trance like effect. However, this is not the whole film. The "scene" switches to one of a car and a woman. It seems as though he is playing with special effects within the film because the woman will all the sudden disappear and reappear. He is able to change her opacity until she is almost a ghost-like figure. He also plays with the speed of which actions are happening. This is seen with the banjo player and the girl dancing. Man Ray is exploring the differences between perceived reality and what is actually real. The most iconic is his use of a girl with eyes painted on her eyelids. In this way her eyes always appear to be open. In addition to this he is creating scenes and rewinding them so it is as if it has never even happened. His film is more like a playground for him. He is playing with the film to see how far he can push the medium. In my opinion when it is all put together, it doesn't really flow very well so there is a state of confusion. However, once I realized what he was actually trying to accomplish this flow was not really necessary. Although the film was showed as a completed work of art it was really an experimentation for Man Ray.