23rd Annual Student Research Conference
A Magical Mystery Tour Through the Aesthetics and Transtextuality of Across the Universe
Christiana M. Penn
Dr. Elizabeth M. Clark, Faculty Mentor
Film critics have both lauded and denigrated the popular musical film Across the Universe (2006), which relies on the songs of The Beatles to create a fictional plotline. This paper analyzes the combination of aesthetic elements and transtextuality that work together to form a compelling love story based on preexisting texts. French scholar Gerard Genette pioneered the study of transtextuality, which highlights the idea that all texts can be analyzed and understood in terms of other existing texts. Across the Universe implements many connotative images that go beyond their literal definition, deriving meaning from the viewers understanding of the cultural context from which the images emerge. Additionally, knowledge of The Beatles and their music proves crucial to fully comprehend the significance of the film. Given the film industrys heavy reliance on transtextuality when creating dynamic and compelling motion pictures, Across the Universe provides a relevant artifact for analysis.
Keywords: Aesthetic, Film, Transtextuality, Communication, Media, Across the Universe
Topic(s):Communication
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 43-3
Location: VH 1320
Time: 1:45