Senior Projects I and II undertook the writing and filming of a short entitled, Squeegee. I wrote, cast, planned, produced, filmed, edited, and exhibited the film to classes and students among the target audience, St. Olaf’s community. Through my four years in college, frustration and worry about unyielding class conflict at St. Olaf and everywhere else came to a boil. Squeegee explores one example of the awkward relationship and subtext between different social classes, represented by Ellen and Fred. Squeegee means to create an uneasy, ‘dotted-line’ opposition between those who spend life toiling, and those who feel the intoxicating effect of privilege. Squeegee utilizes visual signifiers and situational highs versus lows to show rather than tell the message. The allegorical narrative for contemporary ISA-saturated America draws parallels to Albert Camus’ “The Stranger,” reinforcing themes of detachment, meaninglessness, and our accepted moralizing of social order.
I want the film to strike a chord with the WASP and WASP-informed students that dominate small college campuses, and America. Perhaps Squeegee can plunge treatment of janitors, cafeteria workers and those alike into scrutiny once the film plays Viking, classes and Channel 13. Whatever the venue, Squeegee stands as an indictment of our own petty, under considered narcissism. (Home)