Christina Reich
HUM 1020 Z
Professor Scheafer
April 15, 2012
Parking Ticket Validation: A Deeper Meaning
Writer and director Kurt Kuenne brings a greater depth to his 2007 film Validation through the use of symbolic images, form cutting, and the repetition of a visual pattern. Kuenne’s masterful use of these techniques leaves the viewer with the undeniable message that self-fulfillment is possible through the validation of others.
The director uses the validation of garage parking tickets to symbolize the validation of individuals. Hugh, the main character and the parking ticket “validator”, finds great joy in seeing others smile. Hugh offers compliments to ticket holders in order to produce a smile on their faces. As soon as the ticket holder smiles, Hugh stamps the ticket with the word “validation”. This message implies that validation produces happiness.
Additionally, Kuenne amplifies the symbolic references by form cutting. In repetitive fashion, the film cuts from Hugh’s smiling face to the freshly dawned smile of the ticket holder and finally to the validated ticket.
The presence of the parking ticket is carried throughout the film, even in scenes where an actual ticket is not seen. The rectangular shape of the ticket is found in the signage, bricks on the walls, the photographer’s backdrop, and driver’s licenses, just to name a few. The repetition of a rectangular visual pattern reminds the viewer that validation is an important theme.
Through the symbolic use of parking ticket validation, form cutting, and the
repetition of a rectangular visual pattern, Kurt Kuenne succeeds in bringing a deeper
meaning to his 2007 film Validation. He reminds the viewer that by validating the worth of others an individual can find his own happiness and self-fulfillment.
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