RR (film)
Encyclopedia
RR is a 2008
film by American
, James Benning
. Shot in 16 mm film
, as most of Benning's films are, RR is another in Benning's series of American experimental landscape films; this one focusing on train
s and their surrounding environs. In Railroad, Benning explores themes of American consumerism
and overconsumption in what Benning calls a "collaboration" with the trains themselves.
The film is an exercise in minimalist restraint. Basically it is a series of static shots of trains. There is an empty frame, the train enters, then it passes and leaves. In other words, it is "porno" for rail fans and trainspotters (often referred to as "foamers," implying they foam at the mouth at the mere sight of a train). The obsessive gaze of Benning's fixed static frame causes the viewer to wait and watch, obsessing like train fanatic Benning does, on the imagery of the locomotive and the exploration of the random colors of its cars, the machinery and the various American landscapes the trains are surrounded by.
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
film by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, James Benning
James Benning (film director)
James Benning is an American filmmaker. He is the son of German immigrants and studied film at the University of Wisconsin–Madison under the tutelage of David Bordwell. Working as an independent filmmaker, Benning's films focus on a sense of place, and are often built from long, unedited takes...
. Shot in 16 mm film
16 mm film
16 mm film refers to a popular, economical gauge of film used for motion pictures and non-theatrical film making. 16 mm refers to the width of the film...
, as most of Benning's films are, RR is another in Benning's series of American experimental landscape films; this one focusing on train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s and their surrounding environs. In Railroad, Benning explores themes of American consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen...
and overconsumption in what Benning calls a "collaboration" with the trains themselves.
The film is an exercise in minimalist restraint. Basically it is a series of static shots of trains. There is an empty frame, the train enters, then it passes and leaves. In other words, it is "porno" for rail fans and trainspotters (often referred to as "foamers," implying they foam at the mouth at the mere sight of a train). The obsessive gaze of Benning's fixed static frame causes the viewer to wait and watch, obsessing like train fanatic Benning does, on the imagery of the locomotive and the exploration of the random colors of its cars, the machinery and the various American landscapes the trains are surrounded by.