Tested for the Unexpected vs Atmosphere

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Tony Kaye’s commercial for Dunlop ‘Tested for the Unexpected’ uses many forms of contrast. The collision of warm and cold colours, the light and dark, the rich and poor, innocence and sin. The film displays men as wealthy, fat, rich, powerful and devious through costume, harsh lighting and colour. However, women could be seen to be strange, fanatical, pretty creatures, with an element of twisted, broken minds shown through vacant expressions (perhaps warped by men).

The film can be interpreted to expel a certain degree of dark, intimidating, sexual tension given these aspects designed, and its choice of soundtrack, Venus in Furs by Velvet Underground. The lyrics describe BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission and Sado-Masochism) witch have clear reference to the film when a man can be seen in a strange spiked costume with Gimp mask over his face, towards the end of the film.

The car however, could be seen to be an immovable object, moving as it pleases, resistant and impervious to its daunting and dangerous surroundings, or an argument can be made that it symbolises the mistress, desired by all.

To conclude, this advertisement may not seek to sell you its product, but rather remember the brand through its different, surreal and memorable commercial. Or some may say its shots of the car turning sharp, unforeseen corners display the tires strong grip.

Anton Corbijn’s music video for Atmosphere, by Joy Division, seems to have used a low budget for its production. Using black and white to somewhat dampen the mood, the song dedicates it video to the loss of the bands lead singer Ian Curtis who committed suicide.

Stills of Ian Curtis can be seen carried by Monks during the video, perhaps symbolising how people will forever carry him in their hearts and memory. ­­

 The positives and negatives seem to be a profound element in the videos construction, whites and blacks often being placed upon each other in composition and shot framing, and are perhaps a metaphor for remembering good in things during bad times. Conversely many could argue the use of black and white demonstrates a ‘black and white outlook’ and that either life is good or bad, and it won’t change, which would be ironic and unfaithful to the songs lyrics, much like the singers suicide. Again, an argument can be made for which the film appears to be more greyscale than black and white, allowing room for smaller details and complications than a simple black and white outlook upon life. But this is an unending discussion, and sometimes if you’re looking for something, you’ll find it no matter what you’re looking at.

In comparing the two videos, atmosphere clearly has a much more real, affecting aspect to the film once the viewer knows about the lead singers death. Previous to this, the meaning to the film is somewhat unclear, so one would assume the target audience would be fans of the band or an older generation who have this knowledge. However, the Tested for the unexpected film seems to apply to a much larger target audience: adults, since it is a televised commercial and aims it at people who drive. This film also uses dark, seemingly depressive themes, but uses colour, sound and strange characters and costumes to create an engaging piece of film.