Manifesto

Manifesto from 2015 is an unusual and thought-provoking film that flirts with the boundaries of cinema and art. Directed by the renowned filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt, the film provides an inventive take on filmmaking, abandoning the traditional narrative structure and adopting a kaleidoscopic storytelling approach.

Manifesto casts the award-winning actress Cate Blanchett in 13 diverse roles which makes the film strikingly unique. Blanchett’s multifaceted performance explores the power and spectrum of artistic expression in an unequivocally bold and brilliant manner. This cinematic journey allows viewers to experience the transformative art of acting at its peak as we see Blanchett shapeshift into an array of characters – from a homeless man, a corporate CEO, a TV anchor, a school teacher to a punk rocker, amongst others.

Not only does Manifesto reflect on the many identities Blanchett adopts, it delves deeper into the theoretical underpinnings on which these identities are built. The film uses Blanchett's dramatic chops to reflect on the dynamic nature of art, often challenging the viewer's insights and forcing a revisiting of one's historical and contemporary understanding of art and culture.

Manifesto isn't simply a collection of random performances but a unique phenomenon that unfolds as a series of vignettes. Each segment cleverly integrates excerpts from different artistic, political, and social manifestos which originated in various historical contexts from the 20th century, bringing them to life through Blanchett’s characters in unexpected contexts. These manifestos range from the beliefs of Futurists, Dadaists, Fluxus artists, Suprematist, Situationists, Dogma 95 to architects, choreographers, and filmmakers.

In her role as a TV anchorwoman, Blanchett broadcasts news inspired by Conceptual Art and Minimalism manifestos. As a conservative mother leading a prayer at a family dinner, she voices the tenets of Pop Art. There’s also a segment where she is a school teacher educating little children about filmmaking principles as dictated by the Dogme 95 movement. These thought-provoking segments challenge the context in which these manifestos were originally conceived and enunciated.

As risk-taking as its subject matter, the film’s cinematography by Christoph Krauss heightens the overall experience. The careful blend of creative visual storytelling and the compelling narrative structure, struck a balance between visual dynamism and engaging dialogue. The settings range from post-industrial architectures to natural landscapes exhibiting a stark contrast against Blanchett’s chameleon-like performances.

Two other actresses, Erika Bauer, and Ruby Bustamante also make appearances in the film, playing roles that interact with Blanchett's characters. Their contributions, although small, wield a certain level of reality to the film, enhancing the multi-dimensionality of the narrative.

The film’s minimalistic and effective sound design by Fabian Schmidt and Markus Stemler allows the manifesto content to take center stage, paving way for an immersive aural experience. Their work crafts a delicate balance, accentuating Blanchett's performance while never overshadowing the script or dialogues.

Manifesto encourages its audience to engage with the subject matter rather than passively consume it. The film puts the power to interpret and process into the hands of the viewer, making it a heavily individualistic experience. Despite the jarring back-and-forth between characters and the relatively non-linear narrative, Manifesto manages to hold your attention intact, largely due to the phenomenal performances by Blanchett and Rosefeldt's creative storytelling.

Manifesto is a cinematic tribute to art, a collage of historical ideas presented with an innovative twist. It not only provokes thought but urges the viewer to challenge their own understanding of art and its ever-changing nature. While the film might not conform to everyone’s taste due to its art-house inclinations and the avant-garde treatment, it remains a must-watch for those eager to challenge their intellect and engage in unconventional cinema, promising an experience like no other.

Manifesto is not just a movie but a testament to the transformative power of art and acting. It keeps you on your toes, constantly engaging, constantly unexpected, yes, but offers you a visual delight merging artistic expressions from different eras with contemporary storytelling. The film is a plea and a statement that art is not passive but evolutionary, radical, and never static.