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Making a Scene

Name: Making a Scene
Director: Janusz Kaminski
Released: 2013
Duration: 10 min

Representation Score

4.9/10

Fair

2013

Director

Janusz Kaminski

Runtime

10 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Janusz Kaminski's anthology is a high-art experiment that emphasizes aesthetic texture over deep storytelling. By focusing on single lines of dialogue and cinematic styles, the work serves as a tribute to film history rather than a platform for social discourse. The project benefits from an eclectic group of screenwriters and a global cast of actors, providing a base level of inclusion despite the limited scope for exploring complex identities due to the brief format. Ultimately, the lack of a sustained storyline prevents the examination of social structures, keeping the work focused on formalist exercises.

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Category Breakdown

Does Making a Scene have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The vignettes serve as quick looks at different styles rather than in-depth character studies. The short format doesn't allow for the development of detailed LGBTQ identities or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight.

How does Making a Scene portray gender?

Fair

The project emphasizes paying homage to various cinematic periods. There's no indication of systemic sexism or intentional overturning of traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Making a Scene?

Fair

The project includes a diverse, international cast thanks to the varied writers and global actors involved. However, it's unclear if the casting challenges the idea that everyone is white or Western.

How does Making a Scene represent religion and culture?

Fair

This project focuses on cinematic aesthetics and appreciation of art. It avoids discussing political, religious, or socioeconomic issues in favor of visual composition.

Does Making a Scene include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no clear depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within these short vignettes.

Present on Screen

The project draws from an eclectic and talented group of screenwriters.
The casting includes a diverse, international array of well-known actors.
The work highlights professional diversity through its industry collaborations.

Limited or Absent

The brief vignette format hinders the development of nuanced characters.
The focus on past cinematic styles limits modern social commentary.
The lack of a sustained storyline prevents challenging traditional hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

For this year's Movies Issue, The New York Times Magazine commissioned lines from an eclectic and talented group of screenwriters — writers responsible for some of the best scripts of 2013. We asked them each to write a single line for us — not a scene, a script or a scenario, but simply an intriguing, amusing or captivating line of dialogue. Then we gave these lines to one of the great movie artists of our time: the cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, a two-time Oscar winner. Kaminski used these lines as inspiration to create 11 original (very) short films. Each short evokes a style or genre of the cinematic past and stars an actor who gave an especially memorable performance in 2013.

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