What is an Auteur?

Auteurism was first recognized in the 1950s- however the general idea of Auteurism was already planted years before hand. Directors had already gained the same respect as writers and artists when cinema was deemed as a 'seventh art' however the title Auteur had not been suggested yet.

The Auteur Theory suggests that the director is solely the author of the film. There are many theories on auteurship and what makes an author of a film.

Andre Bazin stated in his article 'La Politique des auteurs' that auteurism was 'choosing in the artistic creation the personal factor of reference , and then postulating its permanence and even its progress from one work to the next.'

Barthes suggests that having an author of a film creates limitations on the film and believes that the meaning of the film lies with the reader, which entitles them to percieve the film the way in which they want to.

Franqois Trauffaut implies that films should not just be shot on the filmable aspects of novels.
He also suggests that a directors ability can be measured on their style which may include visual aspects, reaccuring motifs and reaccruing themes.
Similarly Peter Wollen’s theories are very much based on the focus on thematic motifs and style.
However Pauline Kael fails to agree, and suggests that reaccuring themes does not make someone an author. She states “ Their ideal auteur is the man who sings a long term contract, directs any script that’s handed to him, and expresses himself by shoving bits of style up the crevasses of the plots.”

 

Using the theories of Peter Wollen and Franqois Trauffaut, an example of and auteur would be Tim Burton. Born August 1958, Burton has had many film successes such as The Corpse's Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Sweeney Todd. He distinguishes himself from other film makers by using recurring themes and styles.  His most evident theme in his films- is the theme of his main character being an outcast. In the likes of Sweeny Todd, Edward Scissor Hands and BeetleJuice, the main character can definitely be identified as an outcsast.

 It is highly evident when watching a film of Tim Burton’s that it is his film. This is seen as the director implementing his thoughts, his ideas and part of his personality into the film. His films always have a reoccurring gothic theme to them. The characters tend to be eccentric. Tim Burton manages to convey a sense of individuality to his characters by the choice of makeup used. It is felt that the main similarities are the style of the hair and the pale make up.

Below we witness the similarities:

The imagery of character and the narrative allow us to sympathise with the troubled,complex character in someway regardless of whether they are regarded as a villain in society or not.

However, it does leave the imagination to wonder if it is Tim Burton's personality showing- or whether it is a style he has just adopted. 

The question is, is he actually like any of his characters?