MovieChat Forums > Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie (1972) Discussion > Bunuel's use of 'white noise' sound?

Bunuel's use of 'white noise' sound?

posted 18 years ago by yellowfanrip1981
12 replies | jump to latest

I watched Bourgeosie the other day and I noticed that at various important times in the film something is said (very important) about the plot of the film and Buniel uses background noise (in this case, and airplane or background dinner noise) to mute their responses at specific times. I know they are on purpose, being familiar with other film infamous directors such as Burgman, Tarkovsky, Kurosawa etc... I was wondering if Bunuel is the inventor of this device, and what is to be known about his use of it. I noticed that "That obscure object of desire" this device is used as well.

[–] film_addict_13 18 years ago

The titles escape me at the moment, but a couple of French New Wave films (specifically ones by Godard and Truffaut) incorporated the same 'white noise' effect. I believe they were the first to use this sound device.

Wes Anderson later used it in "Rushmore" to homage the early French New Wave films he admired.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] vinum90035 18 years ago

Well said, as I applaud any On The Waterfront reference. For those who don't get the reference, there is a scene where Brando is speaking to Eva Marie Saint, whom he has a major crush on, and trying to defend his actions in inadvertently setting up her brother to be killed (as Karl Malden's character, a priest, suggests he should do). A loud noise (train whistle?) drowns him out and she runs off, shocked and terrified, having heard only that he set up her brother and not having heard the explanation.

[–] cuculiza_od 18 years ago

the On The Waterfront refference is important. That scene might be the most powerful in the whole movie.

Anyway, I laughed hysterically at all those scenes with the noise while the people were giving the "reasonable" explanations to all the non-sense in the movie. And it also reminded me of the Simpsons, which obviouslly have a huge inspiration on surrealist movies.

[–] legolas05 18 years ago

white noise is also used in North by Northwest at the airport runway scene

[–] dr_mayus 18 years ago

Godard's film "Weekend" did it as well but the effect was lost because of the subtitles.

"Many girls want to be carnal with me... because I'm such a premium dancer!"

[–] prop_agenda 18 years ago

At the beginning of "Easy Rider" when the two protagonists sell the cocaine at the airport, the noise coming from the plane motors renders the dialogue inaudible. For me the scene has a feeling similar to certain scenes in Bunuel films.

[–] LuciaJoyce 18 years ago

Jacques Tati's "Mr. Hulot's Holiday" uses this device; so do Rene Clair's "Le Million" and "A Nous La Liberté." And those last two films come from the '30s!

[–] muito-merda 12 years ago

Hitchcock used something like it in North by Northwest when Leo G. Carroll was talking to Cary Grant on the airfield. An airplane drowns out their conversation.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 11 years ago

Godard also used the same mechanism in "Made in U.S.A." . The name of Anna Karina's deceased lover is always covered by a different sound .

[–] zsutton42 8 years ago

Hitchcock used it in North by Northwest.

[–] robby_ross 7 years ago

Remember also that the white noise sound is used in the very ending as we revisit the (dream?) scene of them walking aimlessly down the country road. It's a metaphor for the meaninglessness of life, among other things, and is the final punctuation of the entire film. "Sound and fury, signifying nothing", if you like.

The white noise effect also appears during any moment when explanation or truth is being spoken, again symbolizing the futility of trying to make sense of life.