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Woody Allen

Deconstructing Harry, 1997 

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There’s something wrong with it. Change lenses. What are you talking about? The focus is off. I don’t know why this should be such a problem. Well, you check the centre it’s out of focus. I’ve checked all the lenses they can’t all be. Come on guys let’s move it along. It’s getting late here. We gotta move. Where the hell are you renting these lenses? The lenses are fine. He’s out of focus. I don’t believe it you’re right Mel’s out of focus. What the hell are you talking about? I said the actor is out of focus. How can this be? There’s something wrong? No, come here. I don’t know how to tell you this but you’re soft. You’re out of focus. Just look at yourself. Are you sure you’re okay? It’s almost four o clock anyway why don’t we just wrap and see what happens. Mel, I want you to go home and I want you to rest. Get some rest. Grace I’m home. Hi honey. Hey WHATS the matter you look strange. I’m out of focus. Yeah. Yeah, you are. Just a little bit you are. And you look pale. Daddy, you’re all blurry. Maybe you should go lay down. Daddy’s out of focus. I’ll bring you some tea and toast. Daddy’s out of focus. Daddy doesn’t need that. Okay, now you be nice. What happened at work. Daddy’s out of focus. At first, I thought it was the camera. Reuben Stop it. They thought it was the camera and Then it was me. They sent me home. It’s so humiliating. Did you eat anything strange?  I don’t know what it is. You know what I just need to lie down and get a good nights sleep. 

"In one of Woody Allen’s films, the main character is out of focus.1 It’s not a technical problem but some sort of disease that has befallen him: his image is consistently blurred. Since Allen’s character is an actor, this becomes a major problem: he is unable to find work. His lack of definition turns into a material problem. Focus is identified as a class position, a position of ease and privilege, while being out of focus lowers one’s value as an image." 

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- From Hito Steyerl's "In defence of the Poor Image

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