Cinemablography@gmail.com
Cinemablography
  • Home
  • About
  • Journal
    • Pan's Labyrinth
    • A Simple Favor
    • Film Theory Issue 2 >
      • Christine
      • Nocturnal Animals
      • Elle
      • Paterson
      • The One I Love
      • A Separation
      • Hateful Eight
    • Film Theory Issue 1 >
      • Three Colors Trilogy
      • Big Trouble in Little China
      • Melancholia
      • Somewhere
      • The Thin Red Line/Zero Dark Thirty
    • Science Fiction Issue 2 >
      • Signs
      • Paprika
      • Snowpiercer
      • I Am Legend
      • Edge of Tomorrow
      • Never Let Me Go
      • Donnie Darko
    • Manic Pixie Dream Girl
    • Edison & Co.
    • Blobfest
    • The Master
    • Amour
    • Argo
    • Looper
    • Science Fiction >
      • Children of Men
      • District 9
      • Minority Report
      • Moon
      • WALL-E
      • The Prestige
      • The Fear of Disappearing
    • Banksy
    • ThisisItaly
    • Catfish
    • Hugo
    • Pixar
    • Batman
    • Kathryn Bigelow >
      • Opening Scene
      • Supermarket Scene
      • Round Table Discussion
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • Videographic Essays
  • Our Work
    • Links
  • Contact

Amanda Knox: Tragedy Abroad

1/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Amanda Knox pleads her case in this Netflix Documentary (Amanda Knox, Blackhurst, McGinn 2016)
Picture
By Mark Young
“Foxy Knoxy” read the headlines. The now infamous story of an American girl in Italy is given new light in this cinematically beautiful documentary. Amanda Knox (Blackhurst, McGinn, 2016) follows the modern wave of crime documentaries and uses the Italian landscape to create a beautiful contrast of the story told. Just like the girl for which the film is named Amanda Knox will draw you into a story and leave in surprised at every turn. As soon as you think you have this pro-Knox film figured out you are left to question if this film really is pro-Knox.

The compelling beginning asks the questions that are at the core of human nature. We all like to see monsters because we want to believe that we cannot be the evil that is in the world. However, the filmmakers pose the question which Amanda states in her own words, “Either I’m a psychopath in sheep’s clothing, or I am you.” We are left to find for ourselves a deep story. Can anyone potentially be a murderer, is Amanda Knox innocent, or are we to allow one young woman to suffer to ease our conscience?

Amanda tells the story in her own words. She is not a subject filmed in jail or from afar. Her voice shares her feelings, and struggles with the investigation, trial, and prison experience. She looks into the camera and pleads her case. You get to know Amanda as a person. We join her in her fear, and eventual joys. As soon as you are willing to take Amanda’s side and acquit her, you realize your guard is too low and the ghost of Meredith Kercher calls from the grave.

Rod Blackhurst’s cinematography makes this film dazzling to watch. He uses image from high angles, and slow pans and zooms to create an atmosphere similar to the feeling the media allegedly had when they became “enamored” with Amanda Knox. Rod uses the juxtaposition of the Foxy Knoxy label and expertly weaves the beauty theme into this narrative. Although at risk of putting on a misogynistic display, the filmmakers keep the story grounded and work to humanize Knox. From her point of view, she has undergone persecution and vilification by news media, and the Italian government alike. The psychological abuse she was allegedly put through, and the way her diaries were published for everyone to critique is a level of violation few have undergone, or so she would have you think.
​
Journalistic integrity takes a hard hit in this film, Nick Pisa describes the process and his rise to front page prominence because of the Amanda Knox case. Pisa is so ravenous for the next big story that he seems to ignore ethical considerations when devising headlines. More enlightening to the modern problem with journalism is Pisa’s unwillingness to accept culpability for any role in public perception. More enlightening still are the American journalists who began to treat the Italian justice system like they didn’t know what they were doing. The American’s took on the attitude of supporting their citizen abroad regardless of the initial evidence looking unfavorable for young Amanda Knox.

Amanda Knox is a compelling story that may not convince you of guilt or innocence. It is a film that serves to tell another side of the story, Amanda Knox’s side. I highly recommend this film for its powerful cinematography. Also, for a story that twists traditional documentary narrative. Even knowing the end, I was surprised at each turn. Amanda Knox may not leave you satisfied but it will leave you intrigued and talking for days.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    42
    American Hustle
    Ang Lee
    Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
    Audition
    Blackmagic
    Brad Pitt
    Camera Profile
    Child Actors
    Christian Bale
    Cinemablography
    Coming Attractions
    Comments
    Consumers
    Culture
    David-o-russell
    Design
    Director
    Drive
    Entertainment
    E.T.
    Film
    Film Art
    Film Blog
    Film Blog
    Film Review
    Fourth Wall
    Genre
    Girls
    Henry Thomas
    Italy
    Italy Video
    Jackie Robinson
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    Kathryn Bigelow
    Lena Dunham
    Life Of Pi
    Lost Films
    Marc Webb
    Michel Gondry
    Mood Indigo
    Music Videos
    Nick Cave
    Nick Cave The Bad Seeds84d349b97c
    Nicolas Winding Refn
    Omar Sy
    Political
    Prometheus
    Pusher
    Ryan Gosling
    Sab
    Sci Fi
    Scifia50955b463
    Scific61d272476
    Score
    Short Films
    Soundtrack
    Students Abroad
    Theatrical Posters
    The Hunger Games
    The Place Beyond The Pines
    Tiny Furniture
    Trailer
    Valhalla Rising
    Video Of The Day
    Warren Ellis
    Women In Film
    Young Filmmakers
    Zooey Deschanel

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.