SCRIM

Holland, 1976, 67 minutes, Colour.
Geraldine Chaplin, Bruce Gray.
Directed by Jacob Bijl.

Scrim is a short Dutch film - a short story analysing the interaction of characters. It is distinguished by a fine performance from Geraldine Chaplin. Geraldine Chaplin made her mark in Doctor Zhivago but from the mid-70s, especially under the direction of Robert Altman in Nashville and other films, she established herself as an excellent comedienne and a serious actress. Her films with her husband Carlos Saura have also been striking. This is an interesting example of work from the Dutch film industry in the mid-'70s.

1. An interesting and entertaining character study, short story?

2. The film as the work of Dutch film makers? Photography, acting, musical score, editing? How particularly Dutch the atmosphere, issues, point of view? International appeal?

3. The use of locations, colour photography? The emphasis on interiors? The decor reflecting the characters especially Ann?

4. The plausibility of the plot - on a realistic level, on a psychological level? The establishment of characters, the filling in of the past, the revelations of the present? How contrived, authentically real? Sufficient for the purposes of the study?

5. Geraldine Chaplin's interpretation of Maria? Her skill as a photographer, a career woman? Her international background? Her decision to visit the town? The establishing of her relationship with Jim? The discovery of Ann? Her response to Ann, to the neglected apartment? The reaction to knowledge of Jim's imprisonment? The interaction with Ann? Curiosity, attraction? The reasons for Maria's prolonged stay? The comparisons between the two women? Ann as what Maria might have been if she had remained with Jim? The effect of the stay on Maria? Did she change at all?

6. The contrast with Ann - audience response to her in the apartment, her state of neglect.. her love for Jim? Ann excited by Maria's presence., repelled? why was she attracted towards Maria? Maria's long stay? The detail of their interaction? Ann's comparing herself with Maria? Ann at the end of the film - changed in any way? The possibility of change?

7. Jim and his presence and absence? His imprisonment and its reasons? His effect on the two women? Love for Maria.. separation? His love for Ann.. separation and her decline? How important was he as a catalyst character?

8. Themes of men and women.. relationships.. love.. the loss of love? Self-doubt, success and failure? The prospects for people changing after interaction? The depth of exploration of character?