Moonlight (2016) - Difference, Power, and Discrimination in Film and The use of color in the film to provide context for emotional moments, and eye-catching lighting in an expressionistic mode can also be seen in films like Chungking Express (1994), and In the Mood for Love (2000). We walk through the film's structure, cinematography, sound and symbolism to show you . Maybe you think you know whats about to come in the next hour and a half., You dont, and thats the point. Lighting is used to challenge stereotypes by juxtaposing the dark things that happen to characters with bright and beautiful lights in the background. This also brings the film to a symbolic full circle, ending with the nascent stages of. A man teaching a boy how to swim turns into a powerful moment of . The immersion in water is reminiscent of a baptism, and this motif is repeated throughout the film. Moonlight exquisitely uses light and color to enhance the immersion of the audience into Chiron's thoughts and feelings. Its a very familiar interaction. We were lighting them with a style that was more realistic than flattering and we wanted the skin tones to feel warm and not harsh. (James Laxton Creates Poetic Look). (2016) has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age stories on celluloid. Your work will be featured on our homepage and in our weekly Overheard on Odyssey newsletter. In moments like these, a cinematographer has to try to deliver images that match the strength of the performance and emotional value of the story. to swim as a transcendental moment. Were currently seeking writers to join our summer writing program. story. Which is a scene I think we have seen. Natural light was used during this scene and the humidity in the air made the actors skin a softer glow. makes no such commitments. Moonlight makes no such commitments. From this belief emerged many responses, including absurdism and existentialism. Lighting focused on skin tone and making skin color look natural and appealing. The film is separated into three chapters, Little as his youth, Chiron as his adolescence, and Black as his early adult life. A fourth wall break happens when Chiron and his friend look directly at the camera as if the character is talking to the audience. Moonlights cinematography uses bold colors and stunning shots to create an emotional experience. Those conversations started when we were in our early 20s in college. One shot is taken as Chiron and the other as Black (playing into teenager vs adult) . The duo also shares a lot of photography. Moonlight Cinematography Analysis | James Laxton - Flickside We transition from handheld to dolly, from dolly to steady cam. Its like Lion, Arrival, and La La Land, these are really personal visions of things., Your browser is out of date. The scene in which Chiron comes face to face with his largest enemy (himself) through a clean glass mirror serves as an interesting shot for cinematographers and audiences. Moonlights camera work and mise-en-scene, specifically the lightning, is one of the films most important parts of its cinematography. Summary. Similarly, the photographic realism of Hudnall Jr. results in the framing of the characters with a quiet dignity. Instead, the camera simply allows the audience to see them at their most humane moments with their flaws and hopes laid bare. The most mesmerizing scene immerses you in the blue-green water of the Atlantic as Juan teaches Little to swim, complicating notions of masculinity and fatherhood while overturning a racist stereotype. Home Essay Samples Entertainment Moonlight Analysis of Cinematography in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins. I think its really funny that the business generally is sort of moving towards a directing by committee approach. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The baptism scene illustrates a swimming lesson between Juan and Little in the ocean. In both of these films, space and framing of the characters provide a coherent visual guide to the plots impact. Natural light is also used during the diner scene. Although this put a damper in the intended shot and imposed several challenged on a technical level, you can gradually see the sky become progressively more gray and cloudy which unintentionally supported what exactly was occurring emotionally with the characters. In another shot, Littles mom, Paula, played by the brilliant Naomie Harris, is bathed in pink light as she fumes at her son. Moonlight is an American drama film that chronicles the life of African-American male Chiron, who is being raised by a careless mother in a harsh Miami neighbourhood. When inside homes or night scenes, Laxton used color filters on the camera lenses with pinks or greens to make sure that the emotion the characters were feeling came across. According to Laxton, this was an idea that took shape in pre-production. The entire scene is a single shot, showing how natural Juan fits in the neighborhood with effortless authority. Want to spend your summer being creative and making some money on the side? has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. Its something that as a cinematographer you are constantly aware of. In Moonlight, it's the process of keeping the audience aware of the maker's hand and of the actors playing. Although all are heavily influenced by the beliefs [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. Laxton was also heavily inspired by photography. After the bullies leave, Chiron wanders around and finds a syringe, foreshadowing his profession in the third part of the film. And all those things, oddly enough, I think what they do in a way is they disarm me. Laxton and Jenkins have cited the work of directors Wong Kar Wai, Spike Lee, and Claire Denis as sources of inspiration for Moonlight. Looking for a way to spend your summer doing something creative and fulfilling? With shots burned by lens flares and bold camerawork viewers are a reminded that being personal in every level can help a story resonate with an audience. Cinematographer James Laxton films Ashton Sanders. Something Barry does so well is put his team in settings where so much honesty and beauty can be found, and its our job as cinematographers, actors, designers, and editors to find it., This moment has so much weight in it. The beginning of the film starts with establishing Chiron, the protagonist, and Juans, the mentor, place in the community. CN Fashion & Beauty, Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 5/25/18) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 5/25/18). To sign up, email glorie@theodysseyonline.com. They remind me that Im having an experience that is really personal. The camera becomes shaky, evoking panic as it chases after Chiron. Jenkins and Laxton were aware of the fact that they were dealing with stories that had previously been depicted, and sought to destabilize the tropes associated with several elements of the narrative. The natural light gives the characters a soft glow and presents the characters in a way that does not feel fabricated. Professional Writers that Guarantee an On-time Delivery. Their filmmaking style developed after they met in college at Florida State University. Above: D.N.A., 2007. We all have a way in which were viewing the story that were telling and I think who we are dictates so much of how we see the world. In Moonlight, its the process of keeping the audience aware of the makers hand and of the actors playing. The Film Moonlight Film Analysis - 1279 Words | Bartleby Moonlight is a film of few words. The result is an immersive sequence that allows the camera to capture each splash and stroke of the water, which was achieved by filming partly underwater. The Photographic Inspirations Behind Moonlight, 2016's Best Picture When Kevin notices Chiron sitting at the bar the shot cuts to a close-up of Kevin looking directly looking into the lens. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Need some creative inspiration? Later in the film when Juan teaches Chiron how to swim, the camera is level to the water so that the audience feels like they are swimming with the characters. Both Jenkins and Linklater [], The controversy surrounding Brett Easton Ellis's American Psycho and Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange relates primarily to the central themes that are explored in both books. He borrowed elements from the work of photographers Earlie Hudnall Jr and Viviane Sassen. When Chirons mother begins to leave, she continues to stare at Chiron and walk into the door where the pink lighting was coming from. We walk through the film's structure, cinematography, sound and symbolism to show you what you might have missed about this immersive. This scene utilized Miamis natural lighting (that would be later touched in editing) which is said to do wonderful things to ones skin and kinder due to the humidity and moisture in the air. Above: Roys work from his book from Out Of The Blue. In the next scene, the child, Little (Chirons nickname when he is young), played by Alex Hibbert, interacts with the dealer we have already met, Juan, in a way I will characterize only as unexpected. Laxton recalls his experience, carrying a 200 pound underwater housing with the camera inside and wrestling the tide trying to make sure [they] were at the right height to see the performances above water to be difficult. Similarly, the choice to shoot in 35 mm anamorphic lens was borne out of a desire to tell a story with majesty and an immersive experience. Most of Moonlights angles are eye-level, close to the actors faces and breaks the fourth wall frequently. Elements of Visual Design in The Film Moonlight - GradesFixer Our idea was to present them visually with that same amount of intensity. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins, adapting the unproduced play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Similarly, the gaze of the film is such that the person behind the lens does not lend any moral judgement to the kind of life the characters find themselves in. Moonlight is an insightful and compelling independent film directed by Barry Jenkins that follows Chiron, a Black gay man, at three different points in his life. When we tell stories about characters in this context, the go-to style is often a bleak realism. I first did not understand the scene, analytically as well the cinematographic choices, but the more I look into it, the deeper I realize it is. Those two things are at complete odds with one another. Laxton creates pure poetry on celluloid that is perfectly equipped to conjure a story of self-discovery and acceptance. Among these boys is Kevin the only one who looks at Chiron like a person and in Chirons point of view he looks at Kevins bruise instead of him staring back like the other boys. The non-linear storytelling is enhanced by the visual choices of the film. Juan, a confident drug dealer, emerges from the car and crosses the street to greet Terrence. Moonlight Film Review and Analysis | by Hunter Albert | Medium Moonlight Cinematography James Laxton Featured on LensCulture The Photographic Inspirations Behind Moonlight, 2016's Best Picture Moonlight Cinematography A conversation with Moonlight's cinematographer reveals the surprising but formative influence that still photography had on this Oscar-winning film. Its most prominent themes are love, stereotypes and identity. The camera circles around Chiron, but it is extremely close to the character, unlike how it was a comfortable distance in Juans scene, another way of showing how different their worlds are. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. Laxton used Hawk V-Lite anamorphic lenses, throughout the film to help amplify the emotional state of the characters within the majestic widescreen format. Growing up in his early days, Chiron does not have a male or fatherly figure in his life. Bold, saturated colors and soft lighting that express the emotional beats of the film lend a touch of dream-like surrealism to the story. Backpacking across Europe? Those things were calibrated for white skin. The close-up of Chiron after Juans offer clearly shows his anxiety. Moonlight gives us three Acts of Chiron's journey: Little, Chiron, and Black. Some of the most impactful moments are relayed through stares. Moonlight Cinematography Analysis | James Laxton - Flickside In this aspect, blue becomes the motif of rebirth and a fragmented identity. The way each character talks are also contrasting, Juan speaks relaxed and caring while Chiron does not speak. Dark colors and harsh light is the appropriate lens, we seem to have decided, for dark circumstances and harsh realities. So much is happening behind their eyes. Analysis Of The Film Moonlight - 794 Words | Bartleby The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. Im very proud of and very happy with the diner scene in story three, says Laxton. The concept of prejudice is also recreated to portray the mistreatment of the coloured. This film was the first with an all African-American cast and LGBTQ-based storyline to win an award of this prestige. Moonlight was directed by . Please update your browser at http://update.microsoft.com. Maybe subconsciously we chose it for Moonlight in an effort to depict this community in a brand new light., These choices may be subtle, but their cumulative effect is why theNew York Times film critic A. O. Scott described Moonlight as a poem written in light. In this poem, there is little place for commentary. To communicate this in a visual manner, the camera frames the subjects such that they fill up the majority of the screen, thus drawing us into their emotional landscapes. Throughout Moonlight Chirons character maintains a sense of childlike behavior that carries into his adulthood. To communicate this in a visual manner, the camera frames the subjects such that they fill up the majority of the screen, thus drawing us into their emotional landscapes. The sights, sounds, and smells of a summer day in your hometown. The moment feels biblical as Juan holds Chiron in what looks like a pieta over the waves. I think the color pink can have a lot of associations but I think one of them can be beauty. Realism was avoided, with an understanding that when a setting is visually pathologized, so too are the human beings in it. Water is used as a symbol of transformation and reborn, it precedes every important choice the protagonist makes. Where because movies are costing so much money these days that theres so much at stake and therefore everyone, every sort of person involved with the film chimes in with their of personal feelings. On set it rounded out this character in this moment that is very dark and very intense. Barry Jenkins Narrates a Scene From 'Moonlight' - New York Times By clicking Continue, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. Cinematographer James Laxton and director Barry Jenkins on location in Miami. When in the first act, Littles mom, Paula, is saturated with pink light whist she yells at her son. Director Barry Jenkins, behind the scenes with actor Mahershala Ali. This circular shot encapsulates the Chirons teenage bully Tell as he initiates a game of knockout as he directs Kevin to punch Chiron. Actors Andr Holland and Trevante Rhodes from Moonlight. Currently besotted with Maupassant, art history and all things Nolan, you can find me spacing out to Queen while I look for new things to obsess with. This shot of Tyrell is menacing, adding a dizzy effect due to the erratic spinning of the camera which is the direct result of the audience feeling a sense of uncertainty; uneasy about how this situation will play out. Unlike other films, Moonlight does not use a realistic aesthetic that other films that deal with drug addiction and lower socioeconomic classes. Cinematographer James Laxton shot every scene in Moonlight with clear purpose; to capture and express Chiron's inner world from moment to moment. But as the film ends, the final image is that of. Shes yelling at her son. Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) Review: A Spirited Adventure, 18 Best Horror Movies On Netflix (April 2023), 30 Best Family Movies On Netflix (April 2023), The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford Cinematography, How Jordan Peele Uses Cinematography To Reveal Subtext in Nope, Without saying a lot, the film creates dramatic tension. Moonlight is such a beautiful experience because of the way Director Jenkins uses color, camera angles, and lighting to connect the audience to the characters. The scene is about a dealer interacting with his guy on the corner, right? The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. When Juan beckons Chiron to teach him how to swim, it is a long shot as Chiron decides what to do. Moonlight is a fever dream of emotionality, . Another scene where the camera circles around the characters is when Chirons bullies are forcing his friend to hit him for being different. To communicate this in a visual manner, the camera frames the subjects such that they fill up the majority of the screen, thus drawing us into their emotional landscapes. All rights reserved. Continue with Recommended Cookies, An avid reader and a life-long lover of blue skies,. Moonlight's Cinematographer on Filming the Most Exquisite - Vogue
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