Very Nice, Very Nice

Very Nice, Very Nice is a brilliant creation from 1961 that profoundly embodies the avant-garde wave in filmography. Well ahead of its time, this unique film is directed by Arthur Lipsett, a critically acclaimed Canadian director known for his genre-pushing contributions to contemporary cinema.

Despite clocking in at around seven minutes, Very Nice, Very Nice does not compromise on its impact. It is a short but distinctive experimental film. Lipsett's narrative approach completely discards conventional storytelling techniques, and the beauty of the film lies in its unique non-linear narrative form. It skillfully weaves an intricate and compelling statement about the complex and unpredictable nature of human existence and society.

A powerful visual montage, Very Nice, Very Nice primarily uses rapidly intercut images that generate a chaotic rhythm meant to symbolize the disarray of modern society. This brave and audacious tactic means the film delves into an abstract realm. The images depicted range from everyday life scenes to stock footage and portraits, pieced together in a visual symphony. The entire experience can be likened to a surreal photo-collage in motion, where each frame is part of a larger, interconnecting narrative fabric.

Interestingly, Lipsett's source materials for the film are discards from the National Film Board of Canada, where he worked as an animator. In stitching together these once disregarded pieces, the film becomes a fascinating commentary on the detritus of a prevalent film culture of the time. Lipsett successfully turns the 'scrap' into a highly resonating piece of art, emphasizing on the theme of recycling and reevaluating what is generally considered waste in the creative world.

What sets Very Nice, Very Nice apart, however, is its significant emphasis on soundscapes. The auditory experience is an essential part of the storytelling in this film. The audio is a compelling mixture of speech fragments, laughter, music, and varied ambiances, which being disjointed, furthers the sense of chaos that the film is trying to convey. It provides an unsettling accompaniment to the disjointed visuals and adds a new dimension to the overall experience. It is important to note, this film was nominated for an Academy Award for its innovative use of sound.

Thematically, the film explores the constant influx and tensions of the modern world, focusing on facets such as technology, warfare, consumerism, and the media. Through its brilliantly layered and multifaceted narrative, Very Nice, Very Nice serves as a timely critique of society. It bares the contradictions and hypocrisies of the modern world within its short span. The overall message of the film is open to interpretation, with Lipsett intentionally leaving it ambiguous, thereby inviting discussions and multiple readings.

As an avant-garde film, Very Nice, Very Nice indeed demands a lot from its viewers. It requires a certain level of understanding and appreciation for non-traditional storytelling and abstract symbolism to fully grasp Lipsett's vision. However, for those willing to accept the challenge, the film offers a deeply resonating and thought-provoking experience.

A tour de force in experimental cinema, this film marked Lipsett's extraordinary entry into avant-garde filmmaking. Since its release, Very Nice, Very Nice has continued to fascinate and inspire film scholars, critics, and fans of the genre alike through its radical approach to form and content. Furthermore, Lipsett's work has been giving way to newer narrative experiments and approaches to visual storytelling.

In conclusion, Very Nice, Very Nice is unconventional, eclectic, and boldly ambitious in its exploratory fashion. It's a film that resists easy classification and therefore, is a significant one among short experimental films. This masterpiece offers a timeless socio-cultural critique that remains eerily relevant more than five decades after its release. Undoubtedly, it is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the depth and breadth of avant-garde cinema.