For my latest “Present Tense” column at Film Comment, I wrote about something that’s been percolating for decades. In college, my friend Mitchell coined the phrase “back-ting” – moments where actors perform scenes with their backs to the camera (or to the audience). We love these moments. The term caught on. We would say, “So-and-so is a great back-tress.” “Great back-ting moment in such-and-such.” I am so pleased that I have now introduced the term “back-ting” into the pages of Film Comment.
Louise Brooks in Pandora’s Box:
https://dantebea.com/2014/04/10/louise-brooks-2/
Loved this, Sheila (as you know I’m a sucker for a withholding camera) — “Crawford is the container for the film” is perfect, and always great to hear more about that production of Cat. Trying to think of trenchant examples to contribute beyond tracking shots of backs and coming up empty. I must find a way to see The Letter!
// Trying to think of trenchant examples to contribute beyond tracking shots of backs and coming up empty. //
Right – there are so many of these, and they’re fascinating but more visual in nature.
Rust & Bone – which I wrote a huge thing about a couple years back – is mostly shot from behind the characters – lots of back-ting required. A lot of people were annoyed by this – but Cotillard and Schoenaerts really sell it, in my opinion. It works visually too – they’re both playing characters that don’t know themselves well, that don’t understand what they need and who they are.
and The Letter is peak Bette Davis – and this is an actress with many peaks! I love this one because she is a true sociopath – she lies EXTREMELY well. And just the boldness of an actress not caring about showing her face – knowing she can do it without her face … just fantastic.
Loved the article and that you picked my favorite movie to illustrate your point. I wasn’t aware that Bette Davis worked with Martha Graham to learn how to use her body. Fantastic. But, imho, “The Letter” is so good that you really don’t need to hear the dialogue.
Carolyn – completely agreed. Bette Davis’ acting is so clear you don’t need closeups OR dialogue – she’s really on another level, in particular in The Letter. One of her best.
One of my favorite back-ting moments: Robert Forster’s slow, sad exhalation after Pam Grier walks out of his life in Jackie Brown.
Oh yes – that is amazing.