Zelig (D.O.P. Gordon Willis 1983) w/ José Roldan
Felicia is joined once again by José Roldan (listen to our episode on The Gleaners & I) to discuss Gordon Willis’ work on Woody Allen’s controversial but groundbreaking film, Zelig (1983).
We chat about how Willis and team were able to succeed in making this film, and the blocking, lighting and camera techniques that were used to achieve its look. We also discuss how this story would be perceived in today’s world and why the subject matter doesn’t really hold up.
This is our Gordon Willis closer, and I think an important one to study as it shows how important lighting really is to a film - specifically for a one needing to match with found footage.
Send us your thoughts on the episode - how do you think this film reads in today’s society ? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com
Follow José here:
IG: @channel.jose
Tik Tok: @channel.jose
Sources:
Gordon Willis: An Annotated Webliography • Cinephilia & Beyond (cinephiliabeyond.org)
The Willis Frame • Cinephilia & Beyond (cinephiliabeyond.org)
HOW THE GRAPHIC ARTS FEATS IN 'ZELIG' WERE DONE - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
FILM: 'ZELIG,' WOODY ALLEN'S STORY ABOUT A 'CHAMELEON MAN' - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
OUTRO SONG:
Doin' The Chameleon by Dick Hyman
FILMS MENTIONED:
The Gleaners and I (Agnès Varda 2001)
Vortex (Gaspar Noé 2021)
Jackie Brown (Quentin Tarantino 1997)
Napoleon (Ridley Scott 2023)
Fight Club (David Fincher
Forrest Gump (Robert Zemeckis 1994)
Take the Money and Run (Woody Allen 1969)
Barbie (Greta Gerwig 2023)
The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola 1972)
The Godfather Part II (Francis Ford Coppola 1974)
Manhattan (Woody Allen 1979)
Annie Hall (Woody Allen 1977)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry 2004)
Land Without Bread (Luis Buñuel 1933)
Klute (Alan J. Pakula 1971)
All the President’s Men (Alan J. Pakula 1976)
La jetée (Chris Marker 1962)
Reds (Warren Beatty 1981)
Interiors (Woody Allen 1978)
Night and Fog (Alain Resnais 1956)
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (Carl Reiner 1982)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (Woody Allen 1985)
Listen to full episode :
