Sure, I can try haha. But it won't be as detailed as perhaps it would have been a week ago, considering exams are in two days and I need to do some revision as well. No worries though - chuck it here and I'll give some of my thoughts!
Sorry about that!
Here it is:
Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane is a film which is predominantly about a man named Charles Foster Kane who becomes manifested in his present and future. His central predicament, an inability to love or be loved is a consequence of his tragic separation from his parents as a child. This event leads to the development of his arrogant and egotistic character whose dangerous desire for power and success leads to his life of isolation and alienation. The newsreel following the introductory scene entitled ‘News on the March’ announces the death of Charles Foster Kane, describing him as a famous and once-influential newspaper publisher. This then continues into a chronological account of Kane’s colourful life and career also introducing significant people and events in his life. The reference to Charles Kane as Kubla Khan is also incorporated in this scene as the palace called Xanadu is described in all its grandeur. The use of film and figurative techniques and symbolism shown extensively within the newsreel present the themes of power as well as isolation and alienation.
Power proves to be one of the most central and significant themes present within the film Citizen Kane. The newsreel features the “public” version of a private life including main themes such as fame, politics and social life rather than the true character’s qualities. The pro-Kane agenda of ‘News on the March’ is evident in the loud, upbeat tone of voice from the narrator of this newsreel thus initiating a spark of interest and fascination for “Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous” in the Depression-era population. In addition, the newsreel incorporates mythology known as the American Dream, which, throughout the film is proved to be a hollow concept. Kane uncovers this unfortunate and ugly truth as his desire for wealth, success and power smother him and do not provide him with the happiness and love he longs for, the American Dream as he knew it, was nothing but an illusion. Following the introductory scene in film Citizen Kane, the newsreel reveals significant people and events in Kane’s life such as the introduction to Thatcher, who, in the scene, is testifying before the Senate committee and Kane in his wheelchair at Xanadu. The scene also features visuals of important scenes that occur in the length of the movie including Charles’ two marriages to Emily Norton and then to “singer” Susan Alexander. However, this narrative to Kane’s life has many shortcomings including the simple reference to Susan Alexander as merely a “singer” and the absence of Mr Bernstein and supposed best friend Jed Leland in the trailer. Also, Kane’s marriage to Emily Norton and untimely divorce is not explained. The scene also lacks information about Kane’s childhood – featuring only his mother’s boarding house-, his work experience, his relationship to Thatcher, his old age and finally his life in Xanadu. Orson Welles uses a variety of film techniques to demonstrate the theme of power/ success. These include low angle shots, birds eye views and panoramic shots specifically of Xanadu to demonstrate this theme. For example, when describing the grandeur of Xanadu palace low angle shots and panoramic shots were all used extensively to emphasise the size, power and wealth associated with such a mighty structure. A memorable reference provided in this newsreel stated that Charles Foster Kane was “America’s Kubla Khan”. “Kubla Khan” is a poem that was composed by Samuel Taylor Coleridge after reading a work describing Xanadu. The persona present, a Mongol emperor named Kubla Khan is portrayed as a powerful being who seems almost godlike yet personal and mysterious, therefore representing the theme of power. Therefore, the film techniques and images present in the newsreel prove that power is indeed one of the central and significant themes in Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane.
Another central theme discovered in Citizen Kane is the concept of isolation and alienation which is ultimately present in Kane’s character. ‘News on the March’, the title for the newsreel is in fact a parody of “The March for Time” which were theatrical newsreels from the 1930s, this results in a legitimate and authentic looking narrative which engages the audience. The main issue for this production however is the lack of information provided about Kane’s true identity, particularly the reasons why he couldn’t hold a marriage. This is confirmed by the caption “twice married, twice divorced” thus confirming the fact that Charles Foster Kane has an inability to love and be loved. The shortcoming of the newsreel as previously mentioned stating that Jed Leland was not present in the production provides evidence for Kane’s detachment from friends and colleagues. The film depicts Kane as an enigma, he’s a complicated man who leaves viewers at the conclusion of the film, with an infinite supply of questions about his character. One particular scene that would trigger many questions is when, in the newsreel footage, Kane is accused of being a communist from Thatcher’s “rich man” perspective and a fascist from the working man’s perspective. The high contrast of black and white film reminds viewers of newsprint, which is highly appropriate in a film defining the life of a newspaper tycoon. It also mirrors the internal power struggle within Kane, with Kane wearing harsh white shirts and black suits, as an older man, while those around him wear grey clothes such as Leland which points out his clear isolation. There is no doubt that Welles used black and white instead of colour –which was available at the time- in his 1941 film for specific reasons. Kane was a character who led a mysterious and lonely life, thus the development of the film noir style with low-key lighting. Many of the scenes are consistent in the pattern of a small central light surrounded by darkness, however the newsreel does not incorporate this technique often. These are fitting as depth and darkness embody Kane’s life, a life of no light but all darkness. An example of his isolation within the newsreel is when an elderly Kane is shown in his wheelchair in an “unfinished palace” alone and isolated. Lack of colour also helps to captivate the audience in a sense of mystery and suspense. The symbols of antiquity in preservation that can be looked at but not interacted with is associated with the concept of constructing a utopia as part of rejecting public social interaction, Kane’s utopia is basically an ironic representation of the aspects he is lacking including intellectual and psychological peace. To conclude, the scenes and techniques present in the newsreel represent the central theme of isolation and alienation.
Citizen Kane directed by Orson Welles in 1941, as a result, incorporates the central themes of power as well as isolation and alienation through the newsreel scene “News on the March”. The film leaves viewers with more questions than answers of Kane’s character. However, film techniques and symbolism found in the excerpt leave the audience intrigued and wanting to find out more about this mysterious persona who had such a corrupt and difficult life.
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Topic: Citizen Kane: Mod B (Read 6055 times)