10 Mind-Blowing Long Takes
5. Weekend
One of the first scenes in Jean-Luc Godard's 1967 dark comedy Weekend utilizes a long take to guide the audience on its first steps into the film's absurd world. As Roland and Corinne embark on a weekend at her parents' home for her inheritance from her dying father, the two find their road trip punctuated by violent car crashes and surreal encounters along the way.
The shot introduces the audience to the chaos, as the camera (mounted to three hundred meters of dolly track) slowly pans along as Roland and Corinne's car moves past other vehicles of all shapes and sizes. The action of the sequence takes place on the crowded street positioned against a barren landscape backdrop, further emphasizing just how cramped the drivers all are.
As spoken communication is forgone in favor of a deluge of honking car horns, Godard and cinematographer Raoul Coutard simply continue the flow of the camera as it captures Roland and Corinne zipping along further insanity, from overturned cars to trucks carrying zoo animals to car wrecks and the ensuing carnage. The camera is unfazed and so too are the characters; they're just trying to get to their destination.
A brilliant visual representation of bourgeoisie disillusionment and detachment from reality, this tracking shot has far more on its mind than an impressive visual.