Analysis of 'A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence' (Roy Andersson, 2014) Through Martin Buber's Philosophy of Dialogue

Abstract

Some films are more than just a form of entertainment; they challenge our views on life, society, and the human condition. The cinema of Swedish director Roy Andersson, with its non-plot-driven, recurring thematic and formal choices, and unique mise-en-scène style, requires effort from the audience in order to understand it fully. With its complex narrative and existential inquiry, Andersson's cinema offers a structure suitable for philosophical analysis. Martin Buber, an existentialist philosopher, is a fitting figure for a philosophical analysis of Andersson's films. This is due to the thematic similarities between Buber’s ideas and Andersson's films, as well as the philospohers influence on the intellectual background of the films. This paper will analyze the prominent questions in Andersson's post-2000 cinema through Martin Buber's philosophy of dialogue, which highlights the I-It and I-Thou relationships, as well as the feeling of guilt. After a general examination of Andersson’s cinema and how it intersects with Buber's philosophy, the director’s film A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (2014) will be analyzed. This study reveals that Martin Buber’s philosophy aligns with the themes explored in Andersson's films and his thoughts provide a helpful framework to analyze the director's depiction of guilt. The relationships between the characters in Andersson's film, which are superficial and meaningless, correspond to Buber's I-Thou relationship. Andersson has created a unique, absurd narrative and style of storytelling that invites the audience to observe and question these unformed relationships. Andersson aims to encourage his audience towards philosophical inquiry with his films, developing unique mise-en-scène elements that highlight his detached, critical stance. This approach unveils the absurdity of the alienation prevalent in the I-It relationship, with the aim of encouraging the audience to question themselves.