Maps & Networks #7: Short Film inspo: 'The Heartbeats of Memory' by Nono Ayuso

 

The Heartbeats of Memory 

by Nono Ayuso

I decided to have a look at other ways memory have been explored and interpreted, other than involving AI and instead look at an experimental film that explores memory. This would be so I have different ideas and explore different possible mediums which I could delve in to. Furthermore, I think it would be good to look at how other people view memory. 

https://www.lbbonline.com/news/nonos-experimental-short-film-explores-the-heartbeats-of-memory

Experimental short film exploring 'memory'. 

I really liked the intimacy and softness of the film which reflects memories. The film itself is not about the memories or the trip to Japan itself but about the process of recalling a memory and what happens to the memories and the meaning of them, I particularly like the narration of this as it explores a lot of topics which I previously thought I'd like to explore. However, this short film encompasses them all. 

I really like the montaged style which was throughout the entire film. This reflected how we recall memories; visualising them in our heads as short, intimate and meaningful snippets. Furthermore, a line that I really loved was 'Lots of light in the darkness'. This is because when I recall a memory in my head, everything else is around is dark and all my focus is on the memory and so I feel like it is the lightness of that memory in the darkness. There were a lot of chiaroscuro lighting in the shots which mimicked this idea. It made the rest of the world feel distant compared to what you are focused on when remembering. 

I loved the dreamlike recollection of memory; the mirrored effect, reversed and abstract footage. The use of these effects was done so quickly but subtly making it looked almost normal and natural when remembering. It highlights the idea of  manipulation and construction of your own memories. As every time you remember an event from the past, little details are changed each time and it is proven that you never remember an event exactly as it actually is. 

   

  

Key Notes on the film:

    Overall, I think this was an extremely beautiful and interesting short film as it looked at memory from a different perspective; we use it to forget things. I liked that it delved back to the origins of the word itself. Looking at the film, I was able to pick apart bits as mentioned above that I could use and reflect on to my piece. Furthermore, I would like to create a short film exploring memory but not for this project as I feel like I want to look more at AI and memory and how I could depict this. But I do really like the idea of experimenting with short clips and maybe even making my own written piece on memory itself as dialogue over the the top. 

This film also got me really interested in what other people's experiences of recalling a memory were like. Do they all look different, is the focus on specific things different? In response to this, I decided to ask around to find out. I asked friends and family 'When you recall a memory, whats your experience? Do you close your eyes? What do you see, focus on or hear? Is it coloured or black and white? Can you tell me in as much detail as you can describing the experience.'

Here were some of the responses:

                                                      

    

    

I found the responses extremely interesting and useful to look at. Some people had similar ways of remembering a memory whilst others had very different ways. Their responses allowed me to get an idea and deeper understanding of how to recreate the act of remembering in my piece. However, I will be exploring ways of how I remember as well as experimenting with other peoples ways too in order to figure what exactly I would like to incorporate in to my piece.

KEY POINTS TAKEN FROM RESPONSES: