Histoire(s) du Cinéma 4a: The Control of the Universe

The film doesn't include explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or character arcs due to its archival montage format. However, its postmodern structure disrupts traditional viewing patterns by fragmenting the standard cinematic gaze.

Archival footage from the 20th century reflects gender hierarchies, but Godard's editing disrupts these roles. The montage presents gender as a fragmented, mediated construct rather than a stable social hierarchy.

The work uses international cinema to question how race and ethnicity are influenced by Western powers. It critiques the 'Western gaze' through a systematic deconstruction of the moving image.

This is a core strength, offering a profound anti-capitalist and anti-Western critique. It frames cinema history as a struggle against the cultural homogenization driven by dominant Western structures.

The film lacks portrayals of neurodivergence or physical disability that focus on individual characters’ experiences. Its focus remains on the symbols and images used in the film rather than the lives of individual characters.