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A 20-minute film about meaning that becomes the thing it's about. Meta-madness from Canada.

The Argument (with annotations) (2017)

meta-textualacademic fever dreamcerebral

Overview

What begins as an enquiry on things that mean other things itself becomes a thing that means other things, too. And whatever exactly that thing is, the latest by one of Canada’s most ingenious auteurs is another astounding feat of cerebral and cinephilic dexterity.

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Content warning
short filmessay filmacademia
semioticsthe nature of meaningself-referentialityintellectual obsession

Standout Aspects

Direction

Cockburn's structural games are genuinely ingenious.

Writing

Dense, playful, and actually funny if you surrender to it.

Editing

The argument folds in on itself with surgical precision.

Best for:Solo: When you want to feel smart and slightly confused, alone.·Rewatch: Required. You'll catch new layers each time.·Streaming: Pause to Google academic terms you pretended to know.
Daniel Cockburn

Director

Daniel Cockburn

ReleasedSep 8, 2017
Runtime20m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium

Top Cast

Clare Coulter

Clare Coulter

Lecturer

Ask about The Argument (with annotations)

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Cockburn belongs to a rich Canadian tradition of structural filmmaking, alongside names like Michael Snow and Atom Egoyan.

Insight

The 'annotations' version includes on-screen commentary—watching it without them is essentially a different film.

YouTube

THE ARGUMENT (WITH ANNOTATIONS) Trailer | TIFF 2017

THE ARGUMENT (WITH ANNOTATIONS) Trailer | TIFF 2017

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