Reel-unreel (francis alys)
Reel-Unreel is a video piece by artist Francis Alys, it is set in the bare cityscape of Kabul; Afghanistan. During the duration of the film the viewers follow two young boys running through the city streets unrolling the film reel as they go. The film lasts around 20 minutes long in which we follow the two young boys play with their reels.
As a viewer to the film, what I discovered that the film actually made me uncomfortable. I bought me back to my childhood where I’d play similar games and could feel the ache in my back which has lead to problems that I have now as an adult. It really brought me into the film as the boys were running alongside their reels. The arch of their backs as they chased it, the lower level camera angles made me feel like I was also running alongside them. After a long period of time feeling this way, it did bring a discomfort to myself and I struggled to watch.
I’m not sure if this was Alys intention, but as a viewer it was something that became strong whilst watching the film. It became almost distracting.
As a viewer to the film, what I discovered that the film actually made me uncomfortable. I bought me back to my childhood where I’d play similar games and could feel the ache in my back which has lead to problems that I have now as an adult. It really brought me into the film as the boys were running alongside their reels. The arch of their backs as they chased it, the lower level camera angles made me feel like I was also running alongside them. After a long period of time feeling this way, it did bring a discomfort to myself and I struggled to watch.
I’m not sure if this was Alys intention, but as a viewer it was something that became strong whilst watching the film. It became almost distracting.