SIGN LANGUAGE
Sometimes, the people who need the signs, are the ones holding them. Not only is this film charming, heartfelt, and beautifully upbeat, but it forces the viewer to look at the world and people differently. This film is about Ben, a "static outdoor information technician", or more simply, a sign holder, who loves is career and stands on Oxford Street in London. Ben is aware of the camera--allowing his joy for his career and coworkers to jump off of the screen. He informs us about his promotion, which he is excited for and starting the next day, and expresses his admiration for his coworkers who are displayed less enthusiastically than himself. Ben shares with us the history of Oxford Street and the origins of his job--he is a third generation sign holder and he is standing in the same spot as his grandfather and father before him. Also, we discover his crush for a non-union female worker handing out flyers across the street from him that he is too nervous to talk to.
This film is full of emotion: love, disappointment, and joy. The viewer immediately knows how Ben feels about his crush handing out flyers because he takes a flyer, even though he does not need one, stares at her longingly from across the street, and because we realize that they have on the same rainbow-striped gloves. The sames gloves not only hint to the viewer that they belong together, but that they are almost holding hands throughout the film. The viewer experiences disappointment with Ben twice throughout the film; 1) when they view the unhappiness of his fellow employees and, 2) when Ben's timer goes off signalling the end of his shift and Ben realizes that none of his comrades will give him a send off. Joy comes a few seconds after the disappointment, making it all the sweeter, when the other workers flip their signs over and tell him to go after the girl.
This film is important because it presents a person, working in what is considered a low position, but is immensely happy with his life. Ben's positive attitude reminds viewers to appreciate the little things in life and to respect everyone, no matter what their position in life. This short film, that was edited down to enter the Virgin Media Shorts film competition in 2010 (it was always a short film though), is full of life that would not have supported an hour long film, but gracefully tells a story in a 5 minute span.
Haley, I thought this was an excellent film, and I wholeheartedly agree with your analysis. I hadn't quite noticed that they were wearing the same gloves, and I love that you likened that to the characters "holding hands" throughout the film. I could definitely sense the connection from the beginning, and your post summarized it beautifully! :D
ReplyDeleteWow, this was a really lovely film to watch! Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. I loved your thoughts on it and it really is one of the most heart-warming pieces I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteThe disappointment at Ben not getting the send-off he wanted was far more acute than I had been expecting. It really tug on your heart.
In regards to your point about Ben being thrilled with his life despite his ostensibly low position, I agree, and I think the fact that so much of the film is shot as a close-up of his face reflects that the director thought this was the most important idea to emphasize in the film.
ReplyDelete"Sing Language" is one of my favorite films. I think that we're all kind of cynical of Ben's views and we expect the world to confirm our cynicism, especially in that moment when none of his co-workers seems to be reacting to his leaving. But then when they turn their signs around it's like magic...suddenly we not only want to but CAN believe for a minute everything Ben has been saying about people, beauty, and life. It's an excellent film.
ReplyDeleteI love how his passionate poeticism for his position is further emphasized by the lyrical nature of his cadence. When speaking about his location, his speech follows an iambic beat, punctuated by a quote from Thomas Hardy as if to acknowledge not only his reverence of the street, but his equality to those who have spoke of it before him. He's not just an admirer of Hardy, but a Hardy himself; He belongs not only to a line of sign post holders, but to an even broader and longer line of London worshippers. Do you think this is an intentional conceit of the film's director and writer?
ReplyDeleteI remember being shown this short film and it absolutely warms my heart. Even though this is my second or third time viewing it, I still felt the same emotions as my first viewing. I also liked your in depth analysis into the "signs" of the film. It wasn't just about the literal signs, but the figurative signs as well.
ReplyDeleteI like how Alexis Z. discusses the warmth of the film. I think the emotional warmth is well contrasted against the chilly weather. It is easy to forget that the weather is miserable, because he's just so happy. Knowing that this guy can be happy in a location and job that most people would hate allows the viewer to root for him automatically.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the sense of pride that he has about following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. That makes him admirable.
I enjoyed this upbeat little film. Your comments captured my feeling of a person happy in observing and appreciating the world and people around him. You were more observant than me in that you picked-up on the cues such as the gloves.
ReplyDeleteToo often we walk through life with little regard for those around us, this film is a real eye opener, I will never look at the people holding signs and handing out flyers without thinking about their back story. Like a well written short story , the short film goes right to the heart of the matter, succinctly and poignantly, great film!
ReplyDeleteAhh, what a lovely film! I'm a pretty emotional person and when Ben's coworkers flipped the sign around I almost wanted to cry, hahaha. Good work on your analysis, Haley; the rainbow gloves were something I hadn't considered. It's almost a bit unrealistic that someone should be so happy as a sign holder but I think the film made it a bit more believable with the (admittedly ostensibly disappointing) coworkers establishing Ben's gusto as anomalous, and it's not difficult to imagine the kind of camaraderie that subsequently develops among employees in such a situation. I really dig it. Good work all around!
ReplyDeleteWhen did he learn to fly a plane? Weird ending but it made more sense then this one movie I once watched - Synecdoche, New York.
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