Crash Course Film: Citizen Kane

The video, hosted by Michael Aranda, explores the significance of Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles. It discusses the film's innovative techniques, such as deep focus cinematography, and its impact on film history. The narrative of Citizen Kane, centered around the life of Charles Foster Kane, is analyzed for its themes of power, wealth, and lost childhood. The video also touches on the film's initial reception and its eventual recognition as a classic. The episode concludes with a preview of the next film to be discussed, James Cameron's Aliens.

What is the primary focus of film criticism as discussed in the introduction?

• Ranking movies in a top ten list

• Analyzing box office success

• Understanding the impact of films on society

• Identifying the best special effects

What was Orson Welles' role in the creation of Citizen Kane?

• He was the lead actor only

• He directed and co-wrote the film

• He was the cinematographer

• He composed the film's music

What was a significant factor in the initial commercial failure of Citizen Kane?

• Negative reviews from critics

• Poor marketing strategies

• Controversy with William Randolph Hearst

• Lack of interest from audiences

Which technical innovation in Citizen Kane allowed for everything in a scene to be in focus?

• Color grading

• Sound mixing

• Deep focus lenses

• CGI effects

How did Citizen Kane's use of perspective contribute to its storytelling?

• By using black and white imagery

• By using 3D effects

• By creating a sense of scale and metaphor

• By focusing only on the main character

What narrative technique is primarily used in Citizen Kane to tell the story?

• Flashbacks through interviews

• Dream sequences

• Real-time narration

• Chronological order

What is the significance of 'Rosebud' in Citizen Kane?

• It is the name of his first wife

• It is the name of Kane's newspaper

• It represents Kane's lost childhood

• It is a code for his wealth

How does Citizen Kane's narrative structure contribute to its realism?

• By using multiple perspectives

• By focusing on a single event

• By presenting a newsreel summary

• By using a single narrator

What is a common theme explored in Citizen Kane?

• The inevitability of fate

• The triumph of good over evil

• The complexities of power and wealth

• The importance of family

Why is the idea of 'the best film of all time' considered subjective?

• Because it is determined by film critics

• Because it is based on box office earnings

• Because it varies with personal taste and historical context

• Because it is based on the number of awards won