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The digital anachronisms of Ben Wheatley's A Field in England
Author(s) -
McKim Joel
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
critical quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1467-8705
pISSN - 0011-1562
DOI - 10.1111/criq.12259
Subject(s) - anachronism , citation , field (mathematics) , criticism , new england , digital library , history , computer science , library science , literature , art , law , political science , poetry , mathematics , politics , pure mathematics
This essay considers the unusual blend of historicity and digitality present in Ben Wheatley’s Civil War period film, A Field in England. Focusing on the sometimes overlooked post-production techniques involved in the creative process (including colour-grading, sound design and editing), the essay argues that the film’s affective intensity is generated, at least in part, by the use of ‘digital anachronisms’ to disrupt the historical integrity of the narrative. By making a comparison to the politically motivated anachronisms of Peter Watkins’ historical films, the essay concludes by suggesting that a significant, but disturbing continuity may exist between A Field in England and Wheatley’s films situated in the present