Juxtaposition

Another aspect of editing we looked at in post-production class was Juxtaposition. Juxtaposition is a very important tool in cinema as it allows filmmakers to create a contrast and/or comparison on-screen.

Juxtaposition is defined as placing two things close together or side by side. In film, as stated previously, this allows a contrast or a comparison to be made. The soviet idea of montage was based on juxtaposing  different shots together to create a montage. An example of creating contrast in a soviet montage would be Strike (1925) by Sergei Eisenstein. In one scene in Strike the slaughtering conducted by the Cossak Army's emphasised in the juxtaposition of three different shots: 1) Soldiers advancing  2) A bull being slaughtered and 3) Ink spilled over a street map. This comparison accentuates the brutal slaughtering done by the Cossaks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWiDciPuSW4

A more recent example of juxtaposition that I've seen in a movie would be Beasts of the Southern Wild. As the storm approaches in a certain scene, Hushpussy hits her father in his chest. This images is then juxtaposed with that of a ice-breaking away from an arctic landscape. The shot changes to Hushpuppy's father falling back onto his kness, gripping his chest. These shot are comparisons, and both come together in the third shot when the storm begins.