Film Matters: Please tell us about your article that is being published in Film Matters.
Anne Billingsley: My article explores the internal perspective of Cléo in Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962) as shown through camera and sound devices. I focused on the use of camera and sound combined because there are not many articles regarding sound and this film, which made finding resources difficult, but which ultimately brought a hopefully fresh perspective to the film’s techniques.
FM: What research and/or methodologies do you incorporate in your article?
AB: My article explores the general history of the French singer in the late 1800s, the 1950s and the French New Wave; Agnès Varda; and alternative perspectives on Cléo’s development by other analysts.
FM: Describe the original context for/when writing this article while an undergraduate student.
AB: The article was originally written for one of my film history courses. I wanted to write on Cléo from 5 to 7 in particular because I think her anxiety throughout the film is relatable, something that everyone goes through in some fashion or to some degree, especially with test results. Additionally, I found the scene in which she sings “Cry of Love,” and how the shot frames her face, to be both powerful and unique.
FM: How has your department and/or institution supported your work in film and media?
AB: The Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta has broadened my horizons by showing me films I would not have watched on my own, expanding my knowledge of both sociohistorical culture behind films and the storytelling techniques used.
FM: How has your faculty mentor fostered your advancement as a film scholar?
AB: My mentor, Jaimie Baron, held high expectations for essays submitted in her course and challenged me to improve my writing by offering solid feedback. She encouraged me to look into areas that have not yet been explored for this film, such as looking at Cléo from the perspective of sound.
FM: How has the Film Matters editorial and publication process impacted the development/evolution of your article?
AB: The Film Matters publication has encouraged me to rethink word choices in my article and to make it less formal than it was originally for class purposes. It has encouraged me to consider a wider audience rather than an individual professor.
FM: What audience do you hope to reach with your Film Matters article and/or what impact do you hope it has on the field of film studies?
AB: I would like to reach others who are interested in Agnès Varda’s work and to offer a hopefully fresh perspective on her film, Cléo, by looking at it with an emphasis on sound and how it displays internal character development.
FM: What are your future plans?
AB: I hope to do more writing, in critical essays like this one and in creative writing projects. Additionally, I have plans to travel and I hope to continue learning about film. No matter what I am doing, however, it is clear that, having completed my film degree, I will be analyzing every film I see in the future.
Author Biography
Anne Billingsley graduated from the University of Alberta in 2018 with Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies. This essay was originally written as part of her degree course requirements.
