Everything is set into motion with the arrival of a journalist in Alphaville, Ivan Johnson, who says he is working for a newspaper called Figaro Pravda. He moves into a hotel, and then, strange events that can only be witnessed in a Godard film start to happen. Still one cannot disregard the fact that, unlike in many other Godard films, in Alphaville the story progresses linearly from point A to B. As the film continues we are led to understand that the journalist Johnson, who claims to want an interview with Professor von Braun, is actually an undercover agent sent in from the outside world. Alphaville is governed by Alpha 60, an electronic brain whose voice is often heard in the film from the beginning onwards. Created by Professor von Braun, Alpha 60 gets out of control and takes over command, creating a totalitarian world within which humane emotions are destroyed. As with all Godard films, Alphaville aims for 'thinking with images'. Godard takes on the themes and conflicts evident in science-fiction literature, especially George Orwell's "1984". Where will modernism and mechanization lead? Will electronic brains, one day, construct hegemony of logic against mankind? Rather than being science-fiction, Alphaville has more of a 'Film Noir' atmosphere. Godard's vision of the future is limited to the colourful boulevards and modern architecture of France. Thus Alphaville becomes an imaginary city, goes beyond special limitations. The names of both the characters and the city districts further add to this effect. One other thing worth attention is of course Godard's very own cinematographic narration. The best way to get used to this style, which could possibly seem unusual to viewers accustomed to classical cinematic narrative, is to try to clear oneself from prejudices; as all Godard films are a challenge to our conventional cinematic perception. Mehmet Açar
