ELEPHANT (2003) — Limitations of Perception

Gus Van Sant’s 2003 film ELEPHANT takes the famous “elephant in the dark” parable and applies it to a fictionalized retelling of the Columbine High School massacre. The film follows regular American high school students during their last hours at school before the massacre unfolds. Told through a series of long shots and repeated scenes from different perspectives, the viewer comes to see these people for who they are without ever truly knowing them. Ultimately, our perceptions are, and always will be, limited.

What could possibly be the reason for two students to murder numerous innocents at such a young age? Can we ever really know the reason? Perhaps shifting blame on one specific thing is like touching one part of an elephant in the dark and incorrectly guessing what it is.
Writing, editing, and narration: Justin Brown
Intro graphics: Syncretic 3D

ELEPHANT (2003) is directed by Gus Van Sant.

Feel free to SUBSCRIBE.
⭐ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/styleissubstance
⭐Twitter: https://twitter.com/SubstanceIs
⭐ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Jay96/
⭐ e-mail: styleissubstance1@gmail.com

Primary Sources:
► Van Sant, Gus. ELEPHANT. (2003)
► Clarke, Alan. ELEPHANT. (1989).
► Rumi. “Elephant in the dark.” (Circa 1250).

Additional Clips:
► Colbert, Gregory. ASHES AND SNOW. (2005).
► “Gus Van Sant interview about Elephant.” (2003).

Recommended Readings:
► "Gus Van Sant and Diane Keaton Interview on Elephant." (2003). https://bit.ly/3akcufb
► Rosenbaum, Jonathan. “Blindsided [Elephant].” (2003). https://bit.ly/2R43uTT.
► -----. “Elephant”. (2004). https://bit.ly/2TASRtx.

Видео ELEPHANT (2003) — Limitations of Perception канала Style is Substance