Part 3: Research Point - Kafka's Metamorphosis

 Researching illustrations based on Kafka's Metamorphosis, I found a range of very creative expressions of this narrative. I created a board on Pinterest to showcase the illustrations and film stills I found.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nikijacksonart/kafkas-metamorphosis/

There are many ways to illustrate the narrative of this book and I found myself drawn to the images that included either the shadow of Gregor or the shadow of the beetle that he is changed into. 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/699113542167611316/

Nidzgorski, P., 2022. this isn't happiness.. [online] this isn't happiness. Available at: <https://thisisnthappiness.com/post/3431412809/metamorphosis> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

I also really like the ink blot illustration by Götz Gramlich, quite a haunting image with the use of black ink depicting a hybrid of man and beetle.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/699113542167611341/

Gggrafik.de. 2022. gggrafik design - Metamorphosis. [online] Available at: <https://gggrafik.de/metamorphosis> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

Each of the illustrations I found depicted the narrative as very dark, creepy, threatening. A sense of being trapped, and of suffering. The door is placed far away from the bed, suggesting no escape. The beetle lays on it's back suggesting it is stuck and not in control. A bug found on it's back has little chance of surviving if it cannot turn itself over. Some of the illustrations zoom in on the bed, either showing the upper body of the beetle on its back looking hopeless or the shadow of the beetle about to consume Gregor.

The film directed by Chris Swanton in 2014, depicts a very dark, creepy atmosphere. The scenes are short, close ups of each element of the house, and glimpses of the beetle. Almost teasing the viewer of what's to come. A ticking clock, a crying woman. It was too creepy for me to watch the whole film but just by watching the trailer I could see that the director had honed in on creating an edge of your seat, creepy feel to the whole film, leading you in and showing glimpses of the ugly transformation.

The Independent. 2022. In The Shadow Of Kafka: David Baddiel explores The Metamorphosis for new BBC radio series. [online] Available at: <https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/in-the-shadow-of-kafka-david-baddiel-explores-the-metamorphosis-for-new-bbc-radio-series-10233524.html> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

The Royal Opera House :

Youtu.be. 2022. Kafka: Metamorphosis (Royal Opera House). [online] Available at: <https://youtu.be/4Y3izEP3o4Y> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

This scene from the Royal Opera House production of Kafka: Metamorphosis shows the horror of the family. They are trying to get a look at what is happening, trying to get inside the room. Meanwhile the transformation of taking place in a really horrifying way. The moves of the actor portraying the unfurling of the legs and the black flesh bleeding through onto his white skin. The family eventually get into the room and when they see what is happening to Gregor they scream, run over to on corner of the bedroom and then run away, leaving Gregor in this state and helpless. The music for this scene is high pitched and jumping, whilst the lighting keeps Gregor in the dark whilst light is on the family. As they enter the room they too get enveloped in the darkness. The camera focuses on their faces, close up as you see the fear in their eyes. At one point Gregor as the transforming beetle fills the frame and almost looks predatory towards them as they run past, he almost looks in desperation that they are leaving him. Now focused on the family, the camera follows them as they step backwards, one step at a time, faces full of fear and the light follows them out the other door away.