ZEYNEP DOĞA ÇİFTER 2012301261
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
Reading the novel `A Clockwork Orange` by Anthony Burgess, I was astounded by this bold dystopia which questions the limits of state power and the evil in human nature. Stanley Kubrick`s adaptation of the novel is even more impressive as it’s very successful in terms of the depiction of this dystopian future, characters and groundbreaking musical scores perfectly matching the scenes. Interpretation of classical music with moog synthesizer is totally a good choice for the futuristic setting of the movie and the concept of recording classical music with an instrument used for electronic music is unusual and intriguing, just like the movie itself, for the audience. The usage of other classical music pieces are also remarkable.
We’re first introduced to the moog synthesizer adaptation of a classical piece, Funeral Music for Queen Mary by Purcell in the credits scene with the red background, maybe as association with blood and violence. The choice of a funeral music reflecting the glorious Baroque period is significant as it’s kind of warning us about what we’ll see afterwards. The movie opens with Alex staring at the camera and his gang drinking milk. Alex starts telling his story in the most absurd place, a milk bar with tables designed as naked women. Purcell’s piece which exaggerates the tension is maybe too much for this absurd opening.
Then, we see another gang of young man trying to rape a woman in an old and deserted theater. This time Rossini’s opera “Thieving Magpie” accompanies the scene but it’s obviously bizarre because you wouldn’t expect an opera to be used in such a context. However, the playful melody of the opera tells us that those actions of violence against the woman and then the fight of two gangs is just like a game for them. They’re on the stage and now they can display their own plays as they wish. The accompaniment of a playful melody to a violent scene is observed throughout the movie...