Robert Bresson's Brilliant Book, "Notes on Cinematography"

French film director Robert Bresson (1901 - 1999), who directed such masterpieces as "Pickpocket"
and "Diary of a Country Priest" brought his brilliant insights on the nature of cinematography to readers with his book "Notes on Cinematography".  The book is written in a style reminiscent of Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" in that it is a series of short ideas or meditations compiled together and separated by bullet points in a manner that often build on one another.  The ideas are often grouped together thematically but sometimes they are just random thoughts.  It should be stressed that his meaning of the word "Cinematography" is not the typical one of the act of filming with a camera but instead it is the creative film-making which "thoroughly exploits the nature of film as such".

His ideas are unique and compelling.  He, for instance, rejects the notion of the traditional actor.  In the actor's place he proposes what he calls "models".  These non-professional "models" through their inexperience and lack of training are able to reveal something more "truthful" and real through their performance.  A certain interior essence is revealed and this is often achieved through a number of takes that allow the model to unearth his or her true reactions and the cadences of his or her own speech and mannerisms.  Ideas surrounding models is something that Bresson returns to over and over again throughout "Notes" in ways that bring further clarification and understanding to this theme.  His use of models are evident in many of his films including "Pickpocket" and "Diary of a Country Priest".

"Notes on Cinematography" is a classic of film literature and it is a book that any scholar of cinema should read.  It's ideas are original and still relevant today.  It is the basis of many film movements that would follow such as various New-Waves and especially the Dogme movement of the 90's.  It is truly an eye-opening experience to read and absorb its material.