Imitating Hitchcock
A raven perched on the rim of a teacup, a bowler hat rolling along on a patch of grass, a window framing a view of raining umbrellas and an ice-cool blonde slowly, nervously, walking down the corridor of a sumptuous interior.
These Hitchcockian motifs - many of which are also reminiscent of surrealist painter René Magritte - are repeated in a film by Belgian artist Johan Grimonprez, in homage to the great master of suspense. And, just as in the Hollywood legend's own films, here an elusive Hitchcock lookalike makes a 'cameo' appearance, though in this case it's a rather prominent cameo.
But one obvious shortfall with the piece is that, although Grimonprez uses a few cinematic devices to suggest suspense, there is no actual suspense and no satisfying climax - all we get is a so-so five-minute art film on a loop.
More fun, perhaps, are the screen tests for the lookalikes. Only one man makes a passably credible Hitchcock, while another would be better advised to try out for Boris Yeltsin, although I suppose there's not much call for that any more.
Accompanying these two pieces are photographs showing a studio set marked out for filming, as well as a couple of Hitchcock readers that you're invited to skim.
A folder, part-scribbled production notes, part-scrap book, offers us further glimpses into the making of Grimonprez's film - which all makes the piece sound far more ambitious and interesting than it actually is.
Until Jan 9, The Photographers' Gallery, 8 Great Newport Street WC2, Mon to Sat 11am to 6pm (Thu to 8pm), Sun noon to 5pm, free. Tel: 020 7831 1772. Tube: Leicester Square
