Cinema as Eye: Vision, Gaze, and Incompleteness in Mick Davis s Modigliani

This study explores the visual and symbolic functions of the eye in Mick Davis’s Modigliani (2004) in relation to Amedeo Modigliani’s paintings. It examines how eye contact operates not merely as a visual motif but as a narrative and philosophical device that mediates seeing, perception, and meaning. Through qualitative analysis of selected film scenes and artworks, the research investigates how cinematographic elements—such as lighting, framing, and mise-en-scène—intersect with the representation of incomplete or absent eyes. Framed by theories of visual narrative and gaze, the analysis reveals that the eye functions as both a metaphor of psychological depth and a dialogic space between viewer and image. The recurring motif of the incomplete eye encourages active participation and interpretive engagement, suggesting that meaning arises from the interplay between visibility and invisibility. Ultimately, the study argues that eye contact serves as an interdisciplinary visual language that expands cinematic interpretation.