Marguerite Duras, one of the greatest French writers, has been playing an active part not only in the literary world, but also in the film world.
She has established a new possibility of description by using a special feature of film. This feature unique to film is the coexistence of several elements - image, sound, and word.
In the film works Duras has directed, she has succeeded in expressing the "histoire" by using these physical elements instrumentally. Undoubtedly, India Song exemplifies this kind of expressive work.
The most distinctive aspect of India Song lies in the method of manipulation between image, sound and voice. Usually, sound is used as a subordinate means to explain the image in ordinary films. In India Song, however, every element functions independently.
As the audience makes contact with this work, each different element and different bit of information form a new sense of meaning. The complication of this sense is peculiar to the 20th century - an era where visual media has made rapid progress, giving rise to the culture of images.
India Song not only marks a significant peak in Duras' œuvre but is also equally important in terms of 20th century literature and film.
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