Hello readers,
This blog contains a frame study of the movie 'The Modern Times' by one of the most famous filmmakers and comic actors, Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin. We have seen this movie in the context of the modern age. The transition to the modern age brought about numerous changes, and it's only natural for people to face struggles during such shifts. Whether it's adapting to new technologies, grappling with social changes, the impact of industrialization, or class distinction, it can be challenging. Chaplin explicitly encompasses these problems in his silent movie 'The Modern Times'.
Understanding the Zeitgeist of the 20th Century: From Modern Times to the Era of Great Dictators
Overview of the Movie the Modern Time
"Modern Times" is a classic silent film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, released in 1936. It's a satirical take on the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, the struggles of the working class, and the impact of modern technology on society. The film follows Chaplin's iconic character, The Tramp, as he goes through the challenges of a shifting world. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, and The Tramp finds himself caught in the cogs of the modern, mechanized world. The movie is not only a brilliant satire on the industrial age but also offers a human perspective on striving against industrial and societal challenges. Despite being a silent film, Chaplin's storytelling transcends language and remains relevant even in the modern age.
What is Frame Study?
Frame study simply means to do a thematic analysis of the frames of a particular movie. Each frame in a film is a single still image, and studying these frames can offer insights into various aspects of filmmaking. Filmmakers often use framing to convey emotions, tell a story, or create a specific atmosphere. By studying individual frames, one can get an idea of what has been said through the frame. It's a way of interpreting the visual elements of a film.
Timeless Human Strife in the Factories
The very first frame of the movie foreshadows the theme of industrialization, which will dominate the whole movie. This frame indicates the timeless working hours of men and women within factories of growing industrialism. Workers often faced harsh conditions with little job security. They were paid less and were made to work timeless hours with minimal breaks. This image of a clock also gives the idea of the strict discipline of the factories of the 20th century, which binds workers.
Here, in this frame, we can see the tractor doing work on an assembly line in the factory. This kind of work during the 20th century was often monotonous. Workers had to do this repetitive work on conveyor belts for countless hours. This is depicted quite humorously in the movie: by doing this work without taking a break, Tramp's hands are so habituated to doing work that his hands are movie-ready automatically when he is not doing work.
This frame showcases the mentality of factory owners towards their workers. Workers are already getting minimal break time for their lunch, but to diminish that break more, the factory owner introduced a machine that feeds their workers more quickly. So that workers can produce more goods for the factory. Factory owners consider workers as a means of earning.
These two frames show the genius of the filmmaker. In one frame, there are ships visible in Horde going on, possibly to eat grass, while in the other frame, we can see humans going to the factories to do the same monotonous work in Horde. By comparing these two frames, one can get the idea that there is no difference between men and ships and that both have to do the same boring work in order to get bread. This also places emphasis on the mechanized lives of the people during the 20th century.
This frame showcases the futuristic idea of omnipresent factory owners, which we can connect with today's CCTV cameras. The discipline of the factories was so strict during that time that workers didn't have time to take a break for a minute. Every time someone is not working in the factory, the image of the owner comes out of nowhere and orders the worker to do their job. This is a very similar idea to the dystopian novel of George Orwell, "1984", in which there is Big Brother, who watches over the people all the time and no one can escape from his sight. The technology in the movie is depicted as a controlling element and refers to the three Ms: mind, muscle, and money.
Unemployment and Riots
Unemployment and social unrest are two of the chief characteristics of the 20th century, which stem from industrialization and economic challenges. The introduction of new technologies in the factory leads to job displacement, leaving many workers unemployed. And thus, with the kind of unemployment often followed by strikes and riots, the factory workers, feeling oppressed and exploited, rebel against the system. This frame also alludes to the great depression of 1930, which was marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. The movie 'Modern Times' serves as both a critique and a reflection of 20th-century socio-economic issues.
This scene is of a jail, in which presumably a muscular man is doing the work of knitting. This is so unlike man to do knitting, especially muscular man, but by this frame, Chaplin tries to convey the message that jails are for discipline. In prison, one cannot receive human treatment by which they can be brought to discipline.
In the midst of all the struggles in the face of poverty and working in factories, the human values are depicted through the relationship between Tramp and Gamin, an orphan girl. They both fell in love, and all they wanted was a small house and bread for them. Their companionship provides a sense of solace and mutual support, showcasing the human need for connection, especially in difficult times. Their relationship also stands as a symbol of hope in the midst of the bleak environment of industrialization.
The scene from mall stands for dream life that they both have imagined. And it is a symbol of unfulfilled desires.
The last frame of "Modern Times" is an iconic image that encapsulates the theme of hope and resilience in the human spirit. The Tramp and the Gamin are seen walking down a road away from the camera, towards an uncertain future. Believing that there is still hope in this modern world. This frame remains a poignant and timeless image, capturing the essence of hope and the human spirit's ability to endure and move forward.
NOTE: I have utilized ChatGPT to enhance my understanding of frames.
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IMAGES USED: 11
Thank you.
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