Re-placing lost time : tracing memories through experimental film

Abstract

Throughout the evolution of cinematic expression, filmmakers have continually developed new innovative ways to explore the intricacies of human experience and emotions. One form of exploration lies in the adaptation and reinterpretation of personal memories and self-reflection through the medium of film. This exploration led filmmakers to embark on a creative journey to capture the essence of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time on screen. This research project investigates the element of time in cinema and its relationship to colour and sound through the documentation of a village in Malta, namely Marsascala. This project draws upon philosophical theories and looks at various filmmaking techniques and influential artists. The project focuses on the recollection of memories as primary data, which include gathering videos from my childhood, photographs and my own treasured possessions including toys, cards, and notes. The next step involved experimenting with these documented memories as I delved into my own past and wandered the seaside village of Marsascala where I spent my childhood years. I then applied all of this, including the theories and filmmaking techniques, to produce a short experimental film. Ultimately, this research project helped me understand the element of time in cinema while evoking themes of nostalgia and memory. The project aims to discover more about the medium of film and to understand how time can be manipulated through editing, colour, and sound. The final product is a short film created and directed by myself.