Aesthetics of the comic in the cinema of Roy Andersson

Abstract

This article analyzes the films of the Swedish director Roy Andersson. The author pays special attention to the manifestation of the comic in his works. The article researches the trilogy as an example: “Songs from the second floor”, “You are living”, “The pigeon was sitting on a branch, thinking about being”. Roy Andersson raises existential questions: the meaning of existence, the role and place of a person in the world, human relationships, etc. These are complex philosophical problems, but the director shows trivial scenes from the lives of ordinary people. In these ordinary everyday life there is a place for comic situations. The aim of the author is a describing of techniques that are used to create a comic effect. It is a slow natural tempo, shooting of non-professional actors, elaborate sets, cold colors, reactions and angels. The films are not lightly entertaining comedies, but they are definitely filled with a subtle sense of humor. Later, the author plans to explore a number of films in which the aesthetics of the comic is manifested in an interesting way.