Synopsis:
Walt Whitman is one of the most important poets in American literature. His main work, Leaves of Grass, was written over a period of forty years, and describes human nature, society, and the natural world, both physically and philosophically.
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Directed by Martin Gerigk
Review written by Victoria Angelique
The vintage feel combined with the iteration of a poem by Walt Whitman, makes ONCE I PASSED a very beautiful short film. The visuals and score really make the classic poem come to life, although with a few changes to apply to the particular story that Martin Gerigk is using to tell. The use of old photography juxtaposed with moving still photography across the screen made the story really pop and grab the attention of the audience by invoking curiosity.
The film really explores the use of memory. Nostalgia is invoked first when the use of old black and white photography. This combines with a soothing voice that feels quite panicked in places as if the narrator is struggling to remember a specific moment in his life. The repetitive lines makes the entire film seems like the memory of an old man desperate to remember more than just small details from a trip when he was a young man.
The score is almost bittersweet, telling the tale of a forbidden romance between two men in a time where their relationship would never have been accepted. Making this film almost like it’s trying to recall memories from a clandestine affair in a city far from home. The geometric shapes give the film a spark almost like the brain is struggling to remember more details about a flame from the past. The accompanying charts seems to be an attempt to reignite the brain through old science experiments from a time long ago.
Martin Gerigk is able to explore the full depth of fleeting memory by capturing the key moments the brain can remember. The story tells of what seems like a pleasant trip, but the brain only clings to the negative moments for years to come by blocking out the positive. The film explores the range of human senses in order to recapture a memory, playing with sight, touch and sound in order to activate the full memory.
The combination of Walt Whitman’s poem with the vintage, fleeting images makes this a great film for fans of Whitman. It fully captures the themes that Whitman explored by combining editing techniques with an intriguing score.
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