Breezeblock Narrative Essay

Examine the ways in which Alt J’s Breezeblocks' challenges traditional narrative structure while using enigmatic code

 The Breezeblock’s video is a reverse linear narrative that takes the chronological order of events and relays it backwards. It can certainly be argued that the video strays from traditional convention, but yet it still adheres to the classic concept of Toderovian narrative. What really makes this video exceptional is how it cleverly utilises symbolism and enigmatic code to inspire intrigue in its audience. This code and symbolism are embedded throughout the video and upon analysis they serve to have a dual purpose,this is to provide an event that requires resolution while simultaneously providing closure for unanswered questions. It is this cycle that constantly pushes this narrative forward in a driven and rapid manor, allowing it to maintain the attention of the audience. One key example of this would be the wedding ring which is a running theme throughout the video, highlighting the infidelity,which is the central focus of the video. When looking at the time signature on the two screen shots, one can see that the two rings belonging to both the husband and to the wife appear almost at opposite times in the video, one at the beginning and one nearing the end. This displays how they have embedded the enigmatic code into the structure of their video, the ring appears in the beginning of the video in the form of enigmatic code, this is to provide the opening question that the audience need answering while also disturbing the equilibrium. The second appearing of a wedding ring now appears on the woman who is tied up in the closet, who the audience can now presume to be the mans wife, they have used the same symbol to ask a question as well as provide an answer. Though this video could be seen as unorthodox the use of enigmatic code and being able to sustain the basic concept of the Toderovian narrative allows it to be digestible to an engaged audience.