“Computer Chess” is predicated on a series of binary oppositions. Crudely put, these include man versus machine, reason versus emotion, and order versus chaos. Given that the movie’s period feel is enhanced not only by clunky computers, over-sized eyeglasses, and wildly imperfect programs (the chess games are totally nuts), but by Bujalski’s droll use of an obsolete, black-and-white Sony PortaPak video recording system, digital versus analogical image-making is another opposition. Like all three of Bujalski’s previous features — “Funny Ha Ha,” “Mutual Appreciation,” and “Beeswax” — all shot on archaic 16mm film, “Computer Chess” is blatantly retro except that it’s also contemporary for being edited using the computer program Final Cut.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 21:25:43 +0000
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