Eli Roth Comparative Essay
Conflicting Perspectives – Nazis
The comparison of two texts specifically constructed to convey a particular view of an event, situation or persona highlights the relationship between representation and meaning. “Seeds of Death” an anti-Nazi artwork by John Heartfield and “Stolz Der Nation” a fictional yet realistic Nazi propaganda film directed by Eli Roth both embody this notion of conflicting perspectives. Compositional elements such as techniques specific to medium of production and contextual reference formulate the basis of how meaning is presented and therefore perceived.
Heartfield implements several visual techniques, symbolism and contextual layering to communicate his perspective of the Nazi regime in World War Two. Iconography …show more content…
Roth conveys his view of the Nazis throughout World War Two by utilizing several elements of filmic construction. The Nazi Soldier is symbolic of Germany, fighting valiantly against the masses, conquering with willpower and superiority. Similar to the first text, Roth implements a motif of death but instead of attaching a negative connotation, he infers one of power and skill. In order for Roth to glorify the Nazis, he must morally and physically undermine their enemy’s persona. He does this by presenting circumstances that support this idea. For instance, the American soldier using the baby as a shield to regain cover portrays them as selfish and evil; this is reinforced through a second situation where money was taken off a soldier’s corpse right after being shot. The sniper proclaims revenge against these vile acts and kills those responsible, consequently, forming a positive view of the Nazis. Consistent low angle framing is used throughout the film to emphasise the sniper’s superiority, even his positioning, in a bell tower above everyone else, works to metaphorically impose this. Capturing the American soldiers from higher angles, in turn, makes them seem inferior. The American general expresses dialogue where he refuses to destroy the tower because of historical significance, even after a soldier has begged him to, showing a
The comparison of two texts specifically constructed to convey a particular view of an event, situation or persona highlights the relationship between representation and meaning. “Seeds of Death” an anti-Nazi artwork by John Heartfield and “Stolz Der Nation” a fictional yet realistic Nazi propaganda film directed by Eli Roth both embody this notion of conflicting perspectives. Compositional elements such as techniques specific to medium of production and contextual reference formulate the basis of how meaning is presented and therefore perceived.
Heartfield implements several visual techniques, symbolism and contextual layering to communicate his perspective of the Nazi regime in World War Two. Iconography …show more content…
Roth conveys his view of the Nazis throughout World War Two by utilizing several elements of filmic construction. The Nazi Soldier is symbolic of Germany, fighting valiantly against the masses, conquering with willpower and superiority. Similar to the first text, Roth implements a motif of death but instead of attaching a negative connotation, he infers one of power and skill. In order for Roth to glorify the Nazis, he must morally and physically undermine their enemy’s persona. He does this by presenting circumstances that support this idea. For instance, the American soldier using the baby as a shield to regain cover portrays them as selfish and evil; this is reinforced through a second situation where money was taken off a soldier’s corpse right after being shot. The sniper proclaims revenge against these vile acts and kills those responsible, consequently, forming a positive view of the Nazis. Consistent low angle framing is used throughout the film to emphasise the sniper’s superiority, even his positioning, in a bell tower above everyone else, works to metaphorically impose this. Capturing the American soldiers from higher angles, in turn, makes them seem inferior. The American general expresses dialogue where he refuses to destroy the tower because of historical significance, even after a soldier has begged him to, showing a