Camera is a surreal, at times impenetrable film following the attempt of a group of young children to make a short film with an elderly actor using an antique camera. In the process, they examine many of Cronenberg's typical themes, all without the use of body horror.
Or is it? In the end, the film deals with the ultimate transformation of the body, death. The actor's monologue deals with his aging and mortality, and the way that the camera catches past moments. In some respects, this is the ultimate body horror, a very real threat to all people.
Simultaneously, this short deals with some of Cronenberg's past themes regarding technology and in particular the visual image. To a certain extent, the film is a meditation on how cinema captures chunks of the past. This visual focus makes it a good complement to Videodrome. (Indeed, it is included on the Criterion Collection DVD of said film.)
As some reviewers have stated, this film does not really have a narrative and can be difficult to decipher. However, I think most people who are actually willing to seek this film out will be able to appreciate it.
Or is it? In the end, the film deals with the ultimate transformation of the body, death. The actor's monologue deals with his aging and mortality, and the way that the camera catches past moments. In some respects, this is the ultimate body horror, a very real threat to all people.
Simultaneously, this short deals with some of Cronenberg's past themes regarding technology and in particular the visual image. To a certain extent, the film is a meditation on how cinema captures chunks of the past. This visual focus makes it a good complement to Videodrome. (Indeed, it is included on the Criterion Collection DVD of said film.)
As some reviewers have stated, this film does not really have a narrative and can be difficult to decipher. However, I think most people who are actually willing to seek this film out will be able to appreciate it.