Comparing Le Jetee, the short, and 12 Monkeys, the full-length movie

 Part 1: What Is Your Takeaway from the Video?

Watching 12 Monkeys alongside Le Jetée was a fascinating experience. The short film Le Jetée (1962), a black-and-white photo-roman, sets the stage for its full-length counterpart, 12 Monkeys (1995). The video comparison highlighted how Le Jetée uses static images, narration, and a minimalist approach to tell the story of a man who travels through time, while 12 Monkeys expands this story into a more complex narrative with live-action, multiple characters, and a full plot. The video also pointed out the key themes of time travel, memory, and the cyclical nature of fate, both in the short and the film. The use of photographs in Le Jetée conveys an eerie, dream-like quality that adds to the surreal tone of the narrative. On the other hand, 12 Monkeys uses elaborate sets, special effects, and a nonlinear narrative to bring the time travel elements to life, making the story more accessible to a wider audience. The key takeaway was that Le Jetée is a more abstract and symbolic piece of cinema, while 12 Monkeys turns those symbols into a full-fledged, detailed narrative.

This comparison will be helpful when approaching my short film process by demonstrating how a story with a simple concept can be expanded into a feature-length film while maintaining core themes. The contrast in style will also be beneficial when thinking about how to communicate ideas visually, whether through still images or live-action, and how to adjust pacing for different lengths of storytelling.

Part 2: What Is Your Takeaway from the Article?

The article on 12 Monkeys and Le Jetée deepened my understanding of how both films handle similar themes in different ways. It discussed the transition from the abstract and philosophical nature of Le Jetée to the more action-driven and character-focused narrative of 12 Monkeys. One important point was the shift from the minimalism of Le Jetée (which uses limited visual language and focuses on sound and narration) to the complexity of 12 Monkeys, where every moment is amplified by the performances of the actors, the pacing of the editing, and the dynamic scenes that unfold. The article also pointed out the cyclical nature of both films, showing how time travel in Le Jetée is depicted as an unavoidable loop, which is later echoed in 12 Monkeys’ conclusion.

The insights from this article are directly applicable to my short film process because it demonstrates how simple, minimalist ideas can be expanded while still maintaining their core themes. Understanding how to balance symbolism with narrative depth is something I can use when creating my short film, ensuring that the story remains focused and clear, even if I decide to add layers to the narrative.