When given the opportunity to study a director, there was no contest, Tom Tykwer was the obvious choice. The themes in his films are not passive by a long shot, but instead keep the audience on the edge of their seats and maintains the level of investment throughout the entirety of the film. This is especially true in his film Cloud Atlas. The story surrounds multiple timelines with similar elements are characters - the basic idea that history will repeat itself told through multiple characters in different timelines played by the same actors. It is a fascinating, dizzying film, yet Tom manages to lead the audience through the film in a clear manor that twists are turns, but never fully loses you. This is an incredible feat. Story aside, Cloud Atlas is an amazing example of composition in every sense of the word. Between the gorgeous cinematography, lighting, transitions and compositing, there is almost too much to take in with the incredible film.
The theme in Cloud Atlas surrounds the idea that history can repeat itself, which in turn presents the question - does what we do effect the future? The story follows six simultaneous story lines, each in a different time period that directly effects a separate timeline. The complex form of storytelling is executed excellently through the film through simple moments and relatable situations and relationships that we ourselves might encounter.
After viewing Cloud Atlas, I chose to view one of Tom's short films, Faubourg Saint-Denis. Centered around a fading relationship, we literally watch a couple distance themselves from each other through the film. The film first establishes a routine, which we are all accustomed to in a sense with relationships, then as the story progresses through their routines they begin growing apart together still doing the same things, just further and further apart. The style of filming lends well to this short with repetitive shots and the speed of the background characters in the film all sped up as we watch our main characters fall out of love slowly.
But it is before their breakup that we get to witness their routine, which resonates with countless people and was told in such a way that anyone could relate to this story. The little moments are the ones that build into a bigger grand relationship and are captured perfectly in this film.
Tykwer's short film Epilogue, starts off with bang... when a boyfriend shoots his girlfriend as she is trying to break up with him. The storytelling in this film leaves the audience on the edge of their seat, then sink back and marvel at the ending. Tension is high throughout the entire film, even though we just watched the ending, the audience is concerned as we go back in time before the attempted break up, then in a twist the roles are switched when the girlfriend acts in self defense and protects herself. This film reminded me of elements questioned in Cloud Atlas - does what we do effect a different outcome? In this film, just like Cloud Atlas, that answer is yes and we are brought through an incredible film.
I find it interesting that Tom Tykwer has these similar themes in each of the films I viewed. Beginning the story with a bang and does not passively follow characters, but rather we are right there with them as they experience the story with just as much shock as the reader. Overall, I highly enjoyed viewing three very different, yet similar films. Tom has a complex, unique voice and I look forward to studying more of his films in the future.
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