Continue the "Eleventh Holiday" recommendation series.
American TV series "American Vandal"
Type of work: Pseudo-documentary
Main Cast: Tyler Alvarez (as Peter), Griffin Gluck (as Sam), Jimmy Tatro (as Dylan), Calum Worthy (as Alex), G. Hannelius (as Christa)
Overview of the story: (US) 27 private cars of teachers in a high school were maliciously graffitied, and all the blame was directed at the problem student Dylan, so did he do all this? If it wasn't him, who would it be? With many questions, students Peter and Griffin set out on a journey to find out the truth.
First broadcast date: First broadcast on September 15, 2017, a total of 8 episodes, completed
Recommended reason 1 - unique style of work
Absolutely fake documentary!
Before talking about "pseudo-documentaries", let's take a look at what is a "documentary"?
Taking real life as the creative material, taking real people as the description object, and performing appropriate artistic processing on the video data displayed, it is called "documentary". Its core is "record display of real events + thought-provoking connotation mining".
After understanding the definition of "documentary", let's take a look at what is a "pseudo" documentary! In one sentence, the form of the work is the same as that of the documentary, but the authenticity of the content of the work is diametrically opposed to it. The former is "real" and the latter is "fictional".
In this work, the director uses the unique film and television style of "pseudo-documentary" to combine "spoof events" and "serious discussions" to tell the most profound core in the most relaxed manner! Extraordinary!
Recommended reason 2 - campus theme
When it comes to campus film and television works, what is the first reaction in your mind?
easy? funny? Or young love? Maybe both! In short, it is absolutely impossible to associate with the words "serious", "deep", "dark side of human nature".
Unfortunately, these are only the narrow definitions of "campus themes" in our minds. Today's "American Vandal" (American 囧 case) has given the author a real insight into what is meant by a "broad" interpretation?
It is to show the "deep and complex connotation" with "easy and witty dialogue"! It's not easy!
Recommendation 3 - Examine yourself
Xunzi said: A gentleman who is erudite and who examines and examines himself every day will know and act without fault.
What does the ancient teaching mean? It means: a gentleman learns widely, and often uses what he has learned to check his own words and deeds, so that he will not be confused and act without fault.
Why mention this old saying? The reason is very simple, because the author smelled the importance of "examine yourself" in this American drama!
How to understand it? Borrow the behavior of some characters in the story and talk about it.
Number one, Dylan.
Is there anything wrong with his behavior?
have! Feel free to spoof others without restraining your own behavior. In the eyes of others, Dylan is a "problem" student.
The second, Spanish teacher Shapiro.
Is there anything wrong with her behavior?
have! How can such a person be an example to others? !
The third, "good student" Alex.
Is there anything wrong with his behavior?
have! Without seeing clearly and determining who the perpetrator was, he presumptuously concluded that the graffiti perpetrator was Dylan? What prompted him to make such irresponsible and casual assertions? Do you want to use this event to raise your profile? !
The fourth, "Student Council President" Christa.
Is there anything wrong with her behavior?
have! As student council president, everything she does is purposeful! Calling for equality, asking for understanding, and appealing for the interests of students are all gimmicks. To be honest, she only cares about her own reputation, and everything else is just a pawn in her hands.
People who do not know how to "examine themselves" will unknowingly breed many bad qualities, such as "selfishness", "self-interest", "perversion", "revenge", "sophistry", "hypocrisy", etc. , and these corrupt characters will make people fall into moral confusion, and eventually lead to the road of human decline.
Recommendation 4 - Rational Reflection
Eliminate prejudice and restore the truth to its true colors!
It is very difficult for anyone to maintain a "rational thinking" mind for a long time, and "emotional" emotions will always appear inadvertently. And once the "perceptual thinking" mode is turned on, a person's "prejudice" (to people, things, and things) will inevitably arise.
As shown in this work, in the absence of any conclusive evidence, the school teachers and students unanimously believe that Dylan is the perpetrator! why?
Just because of "his past bad behavior"? Or because of "thinking inertia"? Or because of "emotional thinking"? Or because of "prejudice"?
There is an old Chinese saying, "You can see the old at the age of three", which means that "you can know what kind of person the child will be in the future through the behavior of a three-year-old child". Personally, I feel that this sentence is really appropriate to explain people's views on Dylan in the film.
But is such an emotional and emotional "generalization" right? Why is no one willing to look at all this with rational thinking? All this is worth thinking about!
Recommendation 5 - A discussion of the ending
Three questions to discuss together.
1. Who implemented the graffiti?
The initiator of this incident is Christa and her boyfriend. Although the director did not name it clearly until the end of the play, through Peter's analysis and speculation, this conclusion is already very obvious. (Christa planned, her boyfriend started)
2. What is the purpose?
Christa is trying to use this incident to enhance her reputation, consolidate her position among the students, and challenge the school!
3. Why use an open ending?
Increase the thoughtfulness of your work! (Insinuates some real issues, such as: the American education system, judicial system, the dominant trend of media public opinion, the way of thinking of people...) How to understand?
Just imagine, if the story ends the normal way, there are only two possible endings.
①Dylan was found guilty due to multiple testimonies. ②Through Peter's speculation, relevant personnel found evidence, and Christa and her boyfriend were convicted.
In this case, the ideological quality of the work is greatly reduced! At the same time, it also limits the profound connotation that the director wants to convey! Not worth the loss!
Write at the end. As a "pseudo-documentary", "American Vandal" is very worthy of praise for its entertainment, reality and thoughtfulness. One of Netflix's (recently launched) rare masterpieces.
Director ★★★★☆ (The idea, conception and depth of the work are all commendable)
Actor ★★★★★ (too realistic, definitely into the play)
Plot ★★★★☆ (fake drama, fictional content, serious core)
Visual effects ★★★☆☆ (documentary flavor, unique charm)
Sound ★★★☆☆ (comparatively average, not very impressive)
Recommendation ★★★★☆ (too ideological, there are a lot of metaphors, recommended by literary and artistic youth)
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