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Writer's pictureEugene

The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)


25th August 2018

Perhaps it was a good sign that so many people - 73 - came to see a Peter Greenaway film as it indicates folks coming 'on spec' that we will put on a good show. For those whom Greenaway's work is familiar he is certainly a Marmite writer; I had to defend myself against accusations of choosing a 'disturbed' film as some viewers left. For myself I enjoyed letting the music, familiar local setting, flamboyant wardrobe, and cut dialogue, wash over me without even attempting to figure out who dun it as I was in no doubt that would be a forlorn aspiration. Knowing that others would miss the denouement that is usual in murder mysteries, I chose to show interviews with the director, actors, and composer before the show rather than themed short films. Whether that was a help or hindrance to the audience I cannot say, but I think it did provide interesting context at the least. In hindsight I should have made more of the volunteers almost all dressing in white or black echoing the film's costumes where initially just the draughtsman was dressed in black. By the end of the film the roles had reversed and all the cast except the draftsman were in black. Our Mistress of the Wardrobe is to be praised for driving this part of the immersive experience. Eugene.

 

Perhaps it was a good sign that so many people - 73 - came to see a Peter Greenaway film as it indicates folks coming 'on spec' that we will put on a good show. For those whom Greenaway's work is familiar he is certainly a Marmite writer; I had to defend myself against accusations of choosing a 'disturbed' film as some viewers left. For myself I enjoyed letting the music, familiar local setting, flamboyant wardrobe, and cut dialogue, wash over me without even attempting to figure out who dun it as I was in no doubt that would be a forlorn aspiration. Knowing that others would miss the denouement that is usual in murder mysteries, I chose to show interviews with the director, actors, and composer before the show rather than themed short films. Whether that was a help or hindrance to the audience I cannot say, but I think it did provide interesting context at the least. In hindsight I should have made more of the volunteers almost all dressing in white or black echoing the film's costumes where initially just the draughtsman was dressed in black. By the end of the film the roles had reversed and all the cast except the draftsman were in black. Our Mistress of the Wardrobe is to be praised for driving this part of the immersive experience. Eugene.

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