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One

Name: One
Director: Yoko Ono
Released: 1966
Duration: 5 min

Representation Score

7.5/10

Good

1966

Director

Yoko Ono

Runtime

5 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This film is a minimalist exploration of traditional cinematic language, focusing on the microscopic ignition of a match. It shifts away from human-centric drama to examine time and elemental changes. While it doesn't engage in overt identity politics due to its non-human subject matter, it challenges traditional storytelling norms through conceptual art. The work's significance lies in its subversion of mid-century norms via non-traditional narrative structures and the presence of a female avant-garde director.

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Category Breakdown

Does One have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't depict any LGBTQ identities or relationships. It focuses solely on the physical process being studied.

How does One portray gender?

Fair

Though there are no human characters, Yoko Ono's directorial role challenges mid-century expectations of female creators by emphasizing conceptual abstraction over traditional narratives.

How racially and ethnically diverse is One?

Fair

As an abstract study of light and fire, the film doesn't show ethnic diversity. However, the involvement of an East Asian artist adds a diverse perspective to the cinematic experience.

How does One represent religion and culture?

Good

The film embraces the Fluxus movement by highlighting a minor event as a major cinematic moment, promoting unconventional values and challenging traditional artistic norms.

Does One include disability representation?

Fair

The film doesn't depict any physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Its focus is strictly on the chemical and physical aspects of a match's ignition.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional storytelling norms through conceptual abstraction.
Elevates a minor event to cinematic importance, promoting radical subjectivity.
Adds a diverse perspective through the authorship of an East Asian artist.

Limited or Absent

Doesn't explicitly represent gender identity or sexual orientation.
Doesn't depict physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Lacks human characters or interpersonal relationships to enhance social representation.

Official Synopsis

Collected as part of the Fluxfilm Anthology (a multi-reel compendium of 37 short films assembled by Fluxus founder and central operator George Maciunas), One captures the lifespan of a single match recorded at 2,000 frames per second using a 16mm high-speed camera. The frame rate is then decelerated to the standard 24fps for presentation. The film emphasizes each gesture, sway and flare of flame as the small pinewood carrier ignites across the landscape of the filmstrip and screen, signalling the drama and poetics of this ”minor” event before the fire is extinguished. One also stands as an unassuming beacon, immortalizing on film the essence of some of Ono’s early concerns as an artist. At the slightest touch of fire, they burst into flame. Strike everywhere. Strike often.

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