übermensch

The film starts off with a quote by Frederick Niche stating that “the Übermensch is neither slave or master as he does not impose his will upon others. The Übermensch is an  individual who has the power to banish herd instincts from his mind and become a master of self discipline.”

This leads as a foreshadow of what the man is to face in his obstacle. 

The next scene depicts a foreshadow of the end of the film displaying a reflected image of hands picking up a black fabric from the base of their feet. This meaning will be explained later. 

The next scene displays the face of a human who looks tired and frustrated as he starts walking side to side, an image of a chain appears to be moving in synchronicity with the human. The red circles on the cheeks of the person are a representation of the geometry that make up the universe with the shape of a circle to specifically represent the planets such where humans exist. The white in the centre representing holiness of the being which leads to their revelation and the red in representation of the link of the chain holding them down to reality. The three red lines on the forehead of the person represent the three phases of ultimate concern; a theory of Sartre that argues with Niches idea of the übermensch. According to Sartre, humans are condemned to be free we must create meaning in each of our lives, and this is what it means to exist. Man is responsible for everything he does. The three phases of ultimate concern are such : The break through, the conversion and the realization. These are represented through the film as the human goes through this challenge and represents each stage. 

The focus on the eyes of the subject represents that the limits of existence remain in the eyes of the holder. The focus then goes to the beard  of the viewer to represent the threads of his existence holding onto it. 

The next scene depicts the legs of the person with a chain attached to the legs of the human. This chain is what holds the human to existence making it harder to break the boundary. The skirt is a representation that dissolves the idea of the übermensch being a man and that the human can be any human without a specified gender which gives the title of the Übermensch ultimately the title of the ÜberWesenheit or the over being/ ultimate being. The colour red is used as a symbol of determination, power and desire. This colour is used throughout the film to represent these feelings that the being is going through. Through the chain the red is determined to keep the human intact to existence, while the red couture and details throughout the look of the human represents their desire and determination to break the boundary of existence ultimately finding the power to do so. The colour white is used as a symbol of purity and freedom displayed in the outfits and surroundings of the human. The black shown on the sleeves of the human represents death. The symbolism of death is significant in the film to display the death of the boundary as well as questions the viewer if death is the way to break the boundary. 

Throughout the film it is evident that the chain seams to become smaller and smaller. This is a representation of the struggle becoming weaker and the humans power growing, coming closer and closer to breaking the boundary. 

The next few scenes display the humans struggle being chained to reality. As the shots continue one shot displays more details of the jacket revealing a flower. The flower is a symbol of the humans growth coming closer to their goal and freedom. A hole in the centre of the flower reveals the dent already made in the universe with red poking through to represent the desire acted upon. 

The next few shots reveal a strobe between two shots displaying both the human making a realization and closing his eyes making the most effort to focus on their power. The realization is important as it reveals in the next shot that the chain is non existent. It occurs to the human that the chain was never there in the first place and was all just a fragment of his imagination leading to the last shot which is a reveal of the first shot. This shot shows the person reaching for a black sheet of fabric. The being is now no longer build of a human body but a red material with multiple feet and hands as an ultimate being; displayed as a reflection sequence to present the humans reflection of themselves within them self. The fabric is a representation of the fabric of the universe. The shot reveals that the fabric is in grasps reach of the human and they have the power to do what they want with it. 

Lastly what ends is up for interpretation to how this power is used and how the human is able to grasp it. 

 

Actor: Tolu Olusooto

Fashion: Shira Yavour Fashion

Music: Noah Berdowski

Filmed, Directed & Edited by: Maya Maj

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