Movie Reduction: Five Films to Understand Omission in Narrative
Preface
These films are all available on Bilibili. I have organized a complete comparative viewing plan in sequence. If you find this summary and recommendation, based on over three thousand films I’ve watched, useful, please collect, tip, and support with coins. Paid online film courses and private small-class lessons costing thousands of yuan often break down this rapid storytelling logic into multiple sessions, explaining slowly, rather than laying out the entire comparative approach at once like this. This is merely a summary from a filmmaker and cinephile’s perspective, unable to provide comprehensive explanation or introduction. There are many more films using rapid storytelling; these are just the most representative ones selected this time.
What is narrative omission / rapid storytelling?
What we often call rapid narrative structure, theoretically termed narrative omission, is not about fast editing or quick cuts, but relies on large amounts of omission and compression of real time, using only a few key scenes to advance the entire story.
Why understand rapid storytelling?
1. In a normal film, a bunch of stories and characters are needed to explain something clearly. In rapid storytelling films, simple characters and plots make it clear instantly.
2. Cost-saving.
3. Saves viewers time, effort, and energy.
Viewing Order
1. "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well" – Normal narrative structure
2. "The Day After" – Rapid storytelling structure
3. "By the Stream" – Ultra-minimalist rapid storytelling structure
4. "Au Hasard Balthazar" – Milestone of rapid storytelling structure
5. "Lightning" – Achieves both rapid storytelling and rich character development
Why start with "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well"?
Comparing "The Day After" and "By the Stream" with "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well," the same director making similar types of stories. Watching rapid storytelling side by side with normal storytelling makes it easier to understand what rapid storytelling means.
Why watch "The Day After" and "By the Stream" together?
"The Day After" offers a more obvious comparison in story streamlining.
"By the Stream" is further streamlined in shots and crew—the director essentially handled the entire film solo—forming a deeper sense of minimalist rapid storytelling.
Methods of Rapid Storytelling
"Lightning"
One scene simultaneously introduces multiple characters and events, telling stories through multiple threads and people in real time, offering rich content in a short period, keeping the audience engaged with a brief runtime. This is my personal favorite.
"Au Hasard Balthazar"
The experiences of one character focusing only on key events. A single shot jumps months or years, increasing the scope of experiences and story content while saving costs and runtime. An early milestone of minimalist rapid storytelling.
"By the Stream"
Uses one person‘s trivial details to express urban emotional struggles. Omits a huge amount of detail, shows only a few critical events, and each shot is increasingly trimmed down—yet still conveys the film’s ideas. The director basically worked alone behind the scenes.
Awards and Cinematic Status
"The Day a Pig Fell into the Well"
Blue Dragon Film Award, Best New Director
"Au Hasard Balthazar"
Venice Film Festival, Golden Lion Nomination
"The Day After"
Cannes Film Festival, Main Competition – Palme d‘Or Nomination
"Lightning"
Blue Ribbon Award, Best Picture
"By the Stream"
Locarno Film Festival, Golden Leopard Nomination
Conclusion
"The Day a Pig Fell into the Well“ uses a multitude of characters’ trivial details to piece together urban emotional struggles.
"By the Stream” and “The Day After” use one person‘s trivial details to express urban emotional struggles. Comparing them helps better understand the significance of rapid storytelling.
”Lightning“ is more engaging: in 1.5 hours, it tells a story that another film would take 3 hours to unfold, paced beautifully. Most of Naruse’s famous works I‘ve watched achieve this timing. Compared to his other works, this one has richer character relationships. I’d also recommend ”Untamed Woman,“ a trailblazing feminist film.
“By the Stream” is raw and simple, with an extremely low production cost.
“Au Hasard Balthazar” is more straightforward, making it easy to see how rapid storytelling works. Tarkovsky, Godard, Haneke, Béla Tarr, Kaurismäki, Hong Sang-soo… all influenced by Robert Bresson.
For deeper understanding, I recommend watching all of Bresson‘s films, as well as Hong Sang-soo's debut and mid-to-late works.
