It is obvious that a more limited amount of freedom is granted to women so that it is reasonable to ask oneself whether feminists can afford to be Sartreans. While watching 'The Cradle of Cultivation', of Stephanie McCarthy, one is convinced that Sartre's theories, after all, can be of interest to feminist filmmakers; to demonstrate this point is probably the task of the film. Fortunately, director Stephanie succeeds in all aspects.
Since the beginning of 21st century, it has been observed that emerging filmmakers enjoy playing with narrative, form, and structure of the film. Sometimes it becomes difficult to identify a film whether fiction or documentary. 'The Cradle of Cultivation' is not an exception to this trend. The protagonist tells her story verbally throughout the film. By construction, the film is a documentary.
The film's subject such as the look, the distinction between series and group, and the importance of the body that have become important for a feminist viewpoint. In addition, the themes of freedom, consciousness, bad faith, and authenticity are themes raised in the film that is of concern to both women and men. Yet, women's specific issues, such as that of equality between the two sexes and the problem of oppression, are at the margin of filmmaker's thought, as it is to be expected from the perspective of a masculine imaginary that stresses male transcendence as opposed to sheer immanence.
The film is shot in different landscapes of Australia. Filmmaker explores her past life behind the memory lane and becomes nostalgic sometimes.
The entire film is shot on Super 8mm film stock and old 4:3 aspect ratio is kept in the final format although it has been edited completely digitally. Experimental nonlinear editing style goes with the story telling. Being a 1st-time filmmaker Stephanie shows promise and deserves appreciation.
Shailik Bhaumik/Cult Critic/CICFF
Since the beginning of 21st century, it has been observed that emerging filmmakers enjoy playing with narrative, form, and structure of the film. Sometimes it becomes difficult to identify a film whether fiction or documentary. 'The Cradle of Cultivation' is not an exception to this trend. The protagonist tells her story verbally throughout the film. By construction, the film is a documentary.
The film's subject such as the look, the distinction between series and group, and the importance of the body that have become important for a feminist viewpoint. In addition, the themes of freedom, consciousness, bad faith, and authenticity are themes raised in the film that is of concern to both women and men. Yet, women's specific issues, such as that of equality between the two sexes and the problem of oppression, are at the margin of filmmaker's thought, as it is to be expected from the perspective of a masculine imaginary that stresses male transcendence as opposed to sheer immanence.
The film is shot in different landscapes of Australia. Filmmaker explores her past life behind the memory lane and becomes nostalgic sometimes.
The entire film is shot on Super 8mm film stock and old 4:3 aspect ratio is kept in the final format although it has been edited completely digitally. Experimental nonlinear editing style goes with the story telling. Being a 1st-time filmmaker Stephanie shows promise and deserves appreciation.
Shailik Bhaumik/Cult Critic/CICFF