Modernism and Movies

Both movies, "Playtime" and "Monterey Pop," were filmed relatively around the same year, '67 and '68 respectively.  That, however, may be the only thing they have in common.  "Playtime" is an obvious spoof, if you will, on modernism and its characteristic.  One will take notice of the gray color in just about everything, forms, in terms of automobiles and furniture are very basic and seemingly futuristic.  Also, the movie represents the neutrality of the modernist movement.  Although it takes place in France, there are several American characters in the movie and there is a minuscule amount of difference between them, say their accent, or the language they speak on screen.  Everything in the movie, visual aesthetic as well as aura is very proper, low in vibrancy and plays as close as it can to modern quality and appeal.  The movie itself, however, is quite different in purpose.  As it allows for nothing other than plain modernism, the plot, whatever that might have developed into, as well as the message of the film have a type of anti-modernist approach, taking the factors associated with modernism, basic elements and qualities associated with sheer performance rather than expression and color, and turning those qualities onto themselves, in turn, creating the most dry, and quasi-distopian, while at the same time being sheik and high-class, environment and screen play.  Quite different in just about every aspect, including purpose, is the Monterey Pop film.  Released in America around the same time as the French "Playtime," this movie incorporates elements from the opposite side of the 60's, or the antithesis of Modernism.  As mentioned, the purpose of this movie in terms of casting judgement, or the analyzation and portrayal of a certain culture, Monterey Pop takes a more serious role in depicting the hippie culture of the 60's.  There are no awkwardly funny characters, absurdly crafted settings, or blatant gibes at what the culture entails; essentially there is no farcical exaggeration of the movement's qualities.  But in terms of production, better yet, style and approach, "Monterey Pop" and "Playtime" have next to nothing in common with each other.  As the modernism in "Playtime" is heightened to the level of comedy, it would be more appropriate to compare Monterey Pop with something more of a result of modernism, not something about it.  The colors, however, are vivid and plentiful, the type in the introduction is all hand-written, as opposed to a modernist san-seriff font, even the music; Monterey Pop being actually about music, but the jazz band towards the end of Playtime is nothing like the music performed on Monterey.  Also, the diversity in Playtime is almost non-existent aside from language.  Everyone in the movie looks the same. They all seem to be around the same age, expect for two younger jocks, but in Monterey Pop the audience is witness to people of all different races, ranging from adolescence to elderly, not to mention, the way they are dressed.  As one can assume, a bunch of hippies coming together for multiple concerts and whatever else a hippie in the 1960's comes together for, will be dressed in a drastically different way than a movie made to exploit the quirks of modernism.  In Playtime you see everyone wearing a gray, brown, or black suit and coat, with little to stand out besides a hint of color from a light or a flower stand, however Monterey Pop portrays a more rebellious culture, one without business attire and a briefcase.  More over, the difference between the movies and their styles is present in almost every aspect of each one. Ravi Shankar wouldn't have been seen in Playtime, let alone a standing ovation for his performance.