56 SOCIAL SCIENTIST general exists only in the particular, through the particular" (Lenin). The individual is therefore not a mere emotive manipulating machine but someone through whom a world view is evolved. In short the individual is not an end unto oneself which the usual dramatic narrative films turn out to be—a cathartic experience. This principle in Brechtian terms, is called 'Alienation'. Vakilun" chuk is therefore a very powerful being and also a category. "Categories are forms of being, characteristics of existence5' (Marx). The first act begins with the sailors resting in the lower deck, packed like sardines, lying in canvas hammocks—an activity which is most dear and sensuous to them. The boatswain comes onto the lower deck to spy on the sailors. Clumsily he bumps into a sleeping sailor and nearly trips. In his anger he beats up the sailor whom he bumped into. The sailor turns back hurt. Now this particular event must be released from any sympathetic cathartic feeling that can be attached to it. So, . . . sailor turns around . . . Close shot. Cut ... ,, ,, ,, ... Mid close shot. Cut ... ,, ,, ,, ... Mid shot hold. Cinema because of its time-space relationship practically recreates physical reality in the minds of its viewers. This is its greatest achievement and also its greatest danger. The dark theatre and the film speed/pace is therefore direct and the reaction almost immediate, which therefore leaves no opportunity to select or formulate one's standpoint as the event/phenomenon occurs. Vakilunchuk, another sailor, protests and calls for a revolt against the Tsarist stronghold in the ship. (Potemkin was the name of the Tsar's son!) The next morning we see the rotten meat that is being cooked for the sailors. The sailors refuse to eat the soup and buy provision at the ship's stores. At the mess the tables are lowered ironically. Eisenstein repeats this shot five times. Soon after, some sailors are seen washing the unused plates and one particular plate has this monogram on it: "Give us this day our daily bread". The irony of the event strikes hard and the sailor flings the plate down and Eisenstein breaks this action into eight different segments and extends the filmtime in this way. Two points come up: 1) The usage of a problem/ cause in the form of bad food. He did not choose to use the hardships or faults at the sailors' respective places of work. The cause is not because of difficult working conditions. It is because of bad living conditions— and food and rest are the most sensuous activities of the exploited masses. The oppression has to take root there. People like Vakilunchuk can only be the vanguard; and 2) The violation of the