The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes (1971)

At a morgue, forensic pathologists conduct autopsies of the corpses assigned.

Director:

Stan Brakhage (as Brakhage)

Storyline

Forensic pathologists perform autopsies. The first two consist of examination, measurement, and checking muscles. The remaining ones involve cutting away bone to expose and examine internal organs, peeling back skin and muscle, removing organs, using syringes to extract bodily fluids, and cutting pieces of tissue. Clothes are inventoried. As each autopsy ends, bodies are covered with sheets. There is no soundtrack. We see a body with extensive burns. The work is sometimes delicate, sometimes not; but it's always gory so be warned.

---

Plot Keywords:

autopsy | forensics | silent | wordless | incision | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Short | Horror

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is included on "By Brakhage: an Anthology", which is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #184.

---

Connections

Followed by Deus Ex (1971)

User Reviews

beautiful

Though many may find this film repulsive, I find it utterly beautiful because of the certain sadness it evokes. The anonymity of the people we see being cut up make us more aware of how fragile human life can be. The lack of sound only adds to the poignancy of the film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Наблюдение собственными глазами

Filming Locations:

Allegheny County Coroner's Office - 542 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

32 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1