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ALL SHELVES·
Blue (1993) poster

Blue

dir. Derek Jarman · 1993

Feature
Identity Crisis
Mood
Melancholic / Contemplative
Look
stark, monochromatic blue screen with auditory immersion
Structure
auditory collage interspersed with personal reflections
Plot

Against a plain, unchanging blue screen, a densely interwoven soundtrack of voices, sound effects and music attempt to convey a portrait of Derek Jarman's experiences with AIDS, both literally and allegorically, together with an exploration of the meanings associated with the colour blue.

Why watch

A voice emerges from the depths of a blue void, recounting the struggles and triumphs of a life marked by the AIDS epidemic. As the soundscape envelops the viewer, the starkness of the blue screen becomes a canvas for reflection, evoking a profound sense of loss and longing.

Talking points
  • the impact of AIDS on art and identity
  • the use of color in film
  • the relationship between sound and emotion
  • the role of personal narrative in documentary filmmaking
Cultural context
AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90sLGBTQ+ representation in cinemathe role of art in personal expressionthe significance of color in visual art

Where this shelves

every shelf · back to the store