Nachweis
2

NUMB

TASK

Create a short film about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

RESULT

The experimental short film “Numb” focuses on how the media dealt with images of the attack on the World Trade Center. The montage of advertising, news and computer games with images of the exploding building creates the impression of the overwhelming flood of images immediately following the disaster.

DETAILS

director
Andreas Erber
cast
John Westbrook
editor
Andreas Erber
runtime
1:50min
format
MiniDV
screening
End of Semester Showcase, UTA, Arlington, United States, 2001
date
2001

CONCEPT

The September 11 terrorist attacks became a top-tier media event. The extensive live coverage by all news channels created a continuous stream of raw information, rumors, and striking, repetitive images. People tell fateful stories. News anchors read from their notes. Over and over, one plane, then another crashes into the office tower.

Viewers frenetically zap through channels, creating a juxtaposition with title animations, TV commercials, and video game sequences. These connections are viewed through the means of difference and repetition. A significant disparity in meaning arises between the consecutive sequences of images. Conversely, the impression of already significant images is further amplified by repetition.

By projecting onto one’s eye, the viewer becomes part of the scene. With eyes wide open, he is subjected to a flood of images. Only a blink gradually releases a message. A message written on his body. To continue consuming, to forgo their own imagination, and to ask no questions. This is the mandate from the few to the many. No unrest, no upheavals, no change despite a momentous cataclysm.

Titel
Imagine
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
1/5
Titel
Imagine
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
2/5
Titel
Imagine
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
3/5
Titel
Imagine
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
4/5
Titel
Imagine
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
5/5

By projecting onto one’s eye, the viewer becomes part of the scene. With eyes wide open, he is subjected to a flood of images. Only a blink gradually releases a message. A message written on his body.

To continue consuming, to forgo their own imagination, and to ask no questions. This is the mandate from the few to the many. No unrest, no upheavals, no change despite a momentous cataclysm.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Iwas in Texas as an exchange student when it happened.I vividly remember my colleage dragging me out of my dorm room as the images flickered across the television screen again and again. Next up was video art class. Our teacher urged us to pay close attention to what would happen next - in media, in politics, in society.

I set up my camera in front of the TV and recorded for hours. My head was spinning, my thoughts were drifting. Imagine the people on the plane, the people in the tower, imagine all the people who knew and all those who didn’t. WhenI started editing, I dragged all the footage onto the timeline. Quickly, those absurd cuts emerged that happen while zapping through the channels. I specifically looked for those match cuts and managed to find a few.

Titel
Watch
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
1/5
Titel
Watch
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
2/5
Titel
Watch
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
3/5
Titel
Watch
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
4/5
Titel
Watch
Typ
Sequenz
Nr.
5/5

To show both the images and the viewer, the idea emerged to project the flood of images onto a pupil. Now I just needed an American eye. John, a classmate, was kind enough to lend me his. Back at the computer, I wanted to add a message to the video. I decided to make individual words appear on the closed eyelid. Together, they form the sentence:

Don’t dare to imagine! Just watch!

To show both the images and the viewer, the idea emerged to project the flood of images onto a pupil. Now I just needed an American eye. John, a classmate, was kind enough to lend me his.

Backat the computer, I wanted to add a message to the video. I decided to make individual words appear on the closed eyelid. Together, they form the sentence:

Don’t dare to imagine! Just watch!