Who am I?
I’m a MA Film student, whose aim is to visualise and contextualise some of Heidegger’s philosophical ideas in his book “Being in Time”. I’m interested in helping people think for themselves, as philosophy has allowed me to open my mind to new ways of thinking. Heidegger’s book is notoriously hard to penetrate, as he uses the German language to create words we can only roughly translate. Academics and those interested in philosophy study Heidegger’s ideas for decades, with differing approaches and interpretations. I’m by no means an expert when it comes to philosophy, though I strongly believe that the core ideas that Heidegger introduces in his book can help us live more authentic lives.
My background in electronic music gives me a unique approach, especially when combining sound with the visual medium. As a film maker, my aim is to utilise all the skills I have picked up during the MA course to create a film that will hopefully inspire people to look differently at the world.
A short summary of my story
Dasein is a hybrid documentary that aims to illustrate some of Martin Heidegger's key concepts in his book "Being in time".
Chapter 1: An adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," which follows a man who, on his deathbed, realizes he has lived an inauthentic life. Filmed in a stylized blackout studio, this chapter emphasizes Heidegger's call for authentic living, free from the distractions of modernity.
Chapter 2: Explores the concept of "Thrownness," suggesting our lack of control over the circumstances of our birth. This idea is depicted through a rapid slideshow of personal photos accompanied by a diegetic soundscape. Footage from a Vo2 Max fitness test further illustrates the "ready-to-hand" versus "present-to-hand" distinction, reflecting on the unnoticed bio-mechanisms of our bodies.
Chapter 3: Tells the story of Martin the Mayfly, an insect with a lifespan of only 24 hours. Combining nature footage with animated illustrations, this chapter delves into Heidegger's concept of "The Nothing," highlighting the mayfly’s brief existence within a complex ecosystem and prompting reflections on the meaning of life and death.
My story
The film is split into three short chapters, each introducing a key concept from ‘Being in Time’. The first film is an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s ‘The death of Ivan Illyich’, which is a story about a man who on his death bed, realises he has lived his life for all the wrong reasons. One of Heidegger’s aims in ‘Being in Time’ is to help us lead more authentic lives and remove ourselves from the noise of modernity. This stylised film will be shot in a blackout studio and requires prop and costume hire, so donations will go toward this.
The second film explores the concept of “Thrownness’, which suggests we have no control of the situation we are born into. I will express this idea through a fast-paced slideshow of photos throughout my life. A diegetic soundscape will bring this snapshots to life. The second part of this section uses footage from a Vo2 Max test I did, which is a scientific indication of my fitness level, hinting at the ‘ready-to-hand’ vs ‘present-to-hand’, a reflection of being within a body that has bio-mechanisms that we take for granted. Dr Peter Attia, a sports scientist, argues the Vo2 Max test is one of the best indicators for how long potentially we have to live. This section requires no money.
The 3rd film will be a short children’s story about Martin the Mayfly, an insect that hatches and lives for only 24 hours. I’m planning to use an animator to help illustrate this narrative, combining stationary video from nature with animated illustrations. This final film explores Heidegger’s concept of ‘The Nothing’ or death. The mayfly’s short life helps contribute to the cycle of a complex ecosystem. When once asked how we can live more meaningful lives, Heidegger responded that we should spend more time in graveyards.
Where will the money go?
Prop hire: £600
Costume hire: £200
Actor travel expenses: £50
Animator: £150
Total: £1000
Find Me here
Find me here Instagram: @louis.higgins.99
