In theatre, set designs are often very abstract. Out of artistic intent and/or because of budget restrictions. However, movies (shorts, series etc.) tend to be realistic in most respects, with a very few exceptions. And in those (at least the ones I know), the abstract setting is part of the story being told. I am not looking for abstract movies, I am looking for movies (short, feature, what have you) that tell a story in an abstract setting. I suppose examples would be: Jim Henson's "The Cube": https://archive.org/details/TheCube-JimHenson-1969 An absolut must watch IMO in terms of "experiments in television". Then obviously "Cube": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123755/ Almost there: "Nothing": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298482/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 In all three cases, the setting is an integral part of the story. One movie that also fits the bill, although I would argue that is goes into the direction of theatrics, is Lars von Trier's "Dogville": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0276919/?ref_=nm_knf_i2 Then there is Tron, but I would put that in a box with every science-fiction or fantasy flick, where there is a setting that is invented/obviously fictive but functions pretty much like reality would. So, if any one can think of a movie that tells a realistic story and an abstract setting, please post your references in the comments!
Filmmaking / Directing : The abstract set by Tommi Brem
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Seriously? Nobody?
I'm sure there are many, but off the top of my head I think to : Federico Fellini's "8 1/2" : http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000019/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 "THX 1138" : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066434/?ref_=nv_sr_1 "Last Year at Marienbad" : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054632/?ref_=nv_sr_1 PS: Thanx for the post to "The Cube" 1969 - there is no copyright info - do you know if it's in public domain by chance ? Thanx.
I'm sorry, but the original abstract set... Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari!
Good call! And very theatric as well! Anyone have more recent examples? Independent productions, maybe?
Chances are, "The Cube" is in the public domain. But I'm not a legal expert. Here are a few more links: http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2013/10/10-1966/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cube_(film) (Note the reference to a German theatrical production "KUBUS")
Ok, to further detail a question almost no-one seems to have an answer for (i.e. making matters worse): Does anyone know of movies that are set in one room only? Movies set in any kind of vehicle (space ship, plane, ship etc) don't really count, although I encourage you to post links to respective movies as well. Ideally, the movies are really only shot in one set. Like "The Cube" already linked above or this magnificent "Mis-Drop": http://io9.com/this-short-film-delivers-intense-action-by-showing-one-15... Which also has a point for the "one camera" feel. Of course, Hitchcocks fabulous "Rope" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040746/) has to be mentioned here.
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Thanx for the link Tommi