Textual aesthetics: a formalist reading in the film magnifico

Thesis (Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English) -- University of Rizal System-Morong.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This study was conducted to show if the value of art can be seen in the beauty of text using film as the medium implying the literary and film elements such as mise-en-scene, composition, tension and ambiguity. The research was conducted at the University of Rizal System-Morong Rizal during the academic year 2016-2017. The qualitative type of research was used since the analysis and interpretation did not require quantification but rather an analysis based from the identification of the film's elements. Data of the study were gathered through the discussion of the film Magnifico using Formalist Reading. Different elements from this trend were used such as mise-en-scene and composition (for the film), as well as the tension and ambiguity (for the content). The findings showed that the analysis of film and literary elements interrelatedly helped to see the beauty of the text using film as the medium. From the analyzed characters of Magnifico and his relationship with Ka Doring and Mang Domeng, we can see that the lightings, camera shots and angles were utilized to the character development to emphasize the changes of their expressions and actions that were shown through the different shots. The film mostly used medium shots in order to highlight the pivotal moments of character development. The first two scenes of the two characters showed concealment and detachment. But then, the effort of Magnifico to connect seemed to be effective because they became close to the community and they were able to mourn what were lost with their lives. The different shots helped the researchers to interpret different emotions portrayed by camera angles. The lightings contributed to set the mood being portrayed in the pictures selected and how it affects the mood of the scene. In terms of literary elements, dialogues showed that Ka Doring and Mang Domeng were aloof through the economy of words. Both used simple and straightforward response as they conversed with Magnifico. The bottle of Medicine that Magnifico gave to Ka Doring was a symbol of potion. The first moment, Ka Doring visualized it as a psychical poison as she refrained to be sociable, but on the latter part it was shown that it was an antidote not only for her throat by also for her heart. The wheelchair of Mang Domeng's mother symbolized that Mang Domeng was crippled psychologically. The lost disabled his heart to be with the community the urge for sympathy and the call for empathy. The character of Magnifico himself is a metaphor. Magnifico is the sun that gives light to the dark life of Ka Doring and Mang Domeng. That's why in his coffin there is a sun drawn in it and his shots were usually lighted. In conclusion, the mise-en scene and composition contributed to see the character development of the characters of Ka Doring and Mang Domeng that shown primarily through medium shots to emphasized their actions and expressions. The lightings contributed to know what is the mood being portrayed in the pictures selected and how does this mood affects the scene and the camera angle supported the shots to have a better view to the expression of the characters in the selected pictures. The tension and ambiguity showed conflict between the text and the picture enriched the interpretation. The elements of film and literature were interrelated to one another that helped to create the meaning of the text that makes the film more meaningful. After having accomplished the analysis and discussion of the elements of Formalist Criticism, the researchers recommended that future researchers should make use of film elements of formalism to trace the development of the characters in a particular film and to conduct further studies utilizing Formalism involving film and teachers may make use of film as a supporting material in teaching literature.