Color and light are tools for transcendence, used to reframe and illuminate. 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. Through his association with the color blue, is introduced as a guardian, and a much-needed father- figure that has been missing from. Which is a scene I think we have seen. Cinematography Vs Videography: Whats The Difference? Its a very familiar interaction. Barry Jenkins Narrates a Scene From 'Moonlight' - New York Times In this aspect, blue becomes the motif of rebirth and a fragmented identity. Home Essay Samples Entertainment Moonlight Analysis of Cinematography in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins. The use of natural and ambient light throughout the film mixed with small warm fill lights and touches of color play on the films dream-like sense of reality. See the powerful images that inspired Cinematographer James Laxton. Another scene where the camera circles around the characters is when Chirons bullies are forcing his friend to hit him for being different. And they allow my mind to sort of relax and just let a story be presented to me., This idea of being really personal and unique with the way in which you tell your story. Which is a scene I think we have seen. At the end of the second part, Chiron has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. The film opens with a very stylized, swirling shot of a drug dealer, Juan, played by the magnificent Mahershala Ali. to swim. So did Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the play on which the movie is based, In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. By clicking Continue, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. I think its that moment where the language in which Moonlight is established. A man teaching a boy how to swim turns into a powerful moment of . As a writer for Odyssey, youll have the opportunity to share your voice with our community of readers from all over the world. Unlike other films, Moonlight does not use a realistic aesthetic that other films that deal with drug addiction and lower socioeconomic classes. The immersion in water is reminiscent of a baptism, and this motif is repeated throughout the film. These frames provide a sense of loneliness that hes still struggling with as an adult and still permeate the visual language that we were using in story three., Thinking back to his own childhood Laxton says, I remember wearing out VHS tapes of my favorite movies as a kid and having the tracking being a mess and trying to watch movies that were faded. The light inside the building came from the lamps and it gave a natural and realistic feel to the diner. Its sort of a fake-out, the films director of photography, James Laxton, said recently. But my memory of growing up in Miami is this moist, beautiful black skin. 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). Then when Kevin enters the scene, the camera stands in front of the doorway and now it looks gigantic. Analysis of Cinematography in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins - GradesFixer Need some creative inspiration? Its most prominent themes are love, stereotypes and identity. They also used anamorphic lenses, which normally allowmultiple characters to play out a scene in the same wide-screen frame. So she took some and ate it; she also gave some to her husband and he ate it. Jenkins, 37, was raised by a single mother who became addicted to crack. The same weakness is shown to immobilize Chiron, however, his ability to remain static throughout the situation represents some degree of mental toughness that was unseen before this scene. Moonlight was directed by . Little is taught how to swim by his new father-figure, he is compelled to float on the water, Let go, dont fight the water, Juan says as he cradles his head through this revelatory moment. As the cinematographer, Laxton explained that in order to strengthen the emotional value of this performance he was required to, create some soft, overhead dramatic lighting with accents of color, one of those being the pink light in the background behind the character Paula.. Then they [], Anthony Burgesss A Clockwork Orange is a novel pervaded by a multifaceted and intrinsic musical presence. Bold, saturated colors and soft lighting that express the emotional beats of the film lend a touch of dream-like surrealism to the story. So we used oil. But this idea that the medium is always present when watching something I think is a good thing. The last sequence particularly stands out; upon breaking down in, , standing in front of the sea and looking right back at the viewer, awash in moonlight and hinting at self-acceptance. But the next cut is to a child running through tall grass, and handheld, somewhat frenetic camera movement. Its most prominent themes are love, stereotypes and identity. But "Moonlight" is a film about faces. Were currently seeking writers to join our summer writing program. Within its ambition to portray a higher, complicated understanding of black queerness and violence upon black bodies, it also acknowledges the ties of hegemonic masculinity in African American communities. 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). 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. The story of Moonlight invites the audience to follow the life of a character whos young, black, queer and who feels so alienated from the world around him that he cant see himself as he is. Plot is not so much the concern as an intensive character study is. Barry Jenkinss first film, Medicine for Melancholy, has a similar theme to his second feature film. Moonlight | Movie, Plot, Cast, Awards, & Facts | Britannica From this belief emerged many responses, including absurdism and existentialism. And all those things, oddly enough, I think what they do in a way is they disarm me. 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. For all of the modern marvels of special effects, 3-D glasses, even shaking seats and simulated experience, what these films lack is the capacity to engage our imaginations. 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. In the midst of this pivotal moment of self-discovery theres a real awareness of the camera as the water is lapping against the lens. When Kevin and Chiron wrestle, the camera becomes shaky and cuts to shots of their arms and legs. We were at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, sitting at a table in an otherwise empty lounge. Moonlights tripartite narrative and non-linear storytelling is also reminiscent of the latter. 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. Barry Jenkins' Moonlight is a movie about Chiron, the protagonist, through three significant periods of his life. Most of Moonlights angles are eye-level, close to the actors faces and breaks the fourth wall frequently. story. The camera goes to a low-angle shot as Chirons glare becomes harder and the sound of his harsh breathing becomes louder. The use of the circular motion is used to provoke a specific pressure, especially that in which comes from the in-group. Miami is a sublime fever dream of pastels and neon, lush greens and glistening, perspiring skin tones. 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. Barry Jenkins narrates a swimming sequence from "Moonlight" featuring Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali. Moonlight is a masterclass in expressive camera and sound. The low immersive camera is combined with this authentic fluid motion that gives the audience the sensation that we are immersed within this endless horizon of water, much like Little, thus enabling the audience to experience Chiron's baptism as he does himself. Manage Settings 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. Unlike the ugliness that was showcased with the green walls with Chiron, the blue light emphasizes this cold feeling that represents that moment in his life emotionally. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Moonlight: A Masterpiece of Cinematography - Cinematography with Chloe Its funny how much license you can get with some choices like that pink light, says Laxton. The sights, sounds, and smells of a summer day in your hometown. Analysis Of Cinematography In Barry Jenkins' Movie Moonlight Essay Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins, adapting the unproduced play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. When we tell stories about characters in this context, the go-to style is often a bleak realism. Director Barry Jenkins, behind the scenes with actor Mahershala Ali. This lighting gives the character depth and not just a negative stereotype of an abusive mother. He is young, black, gay, poor, and largely friendlessthe kind of person who feels like he could literally vanish from being so unseen by the world. At the end of the second part. This circular shot encapsulates the Chirons teenage bully Tell as he initiates a game of knockout as he directs Kevin to punch Chiron. This scene contains no spoken dialect from either character, although the scene solely consists of an angry yelling sequence from mother to son. You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers. Cinematographer James Laxton shot every scene in Moonlight with clear purpose; to capture and express Chirons inner world from moment to moment. Roy was someone that I think shaped a lot of how Barry and I sort of approached the film at the very, very beginning.. We will occasionally send you account related emails. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Dark colors and harsh light is the appropriate lens, we seem to have decided, for dark circumstances and harsh realities. The bold color palette and bold lighting choices, rife with lens flare that communicated the sweltering heat of Miami were inspired from the films of Wong Kar-Wai. I think we all have gazes, says Laxton about his take on photography. While the story is told in three distinct parts that correspond to different parts of Chirons identity as Little/Chiron/Black, these are united by the expressionistic use of color and certain motifs. On set it rounded out this character in this moment that is very dark and very intense. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. The way each character talks are also contrasting, Juan speaks relaxed and caring while Chiron does not speak. This is where the association with water is relevant. Jenkins and cinematographer James Laxton focused on drawing the audience into the inner lives of the characters and creating a consistent visual language to tell a story of fractured identity. An analysis focussed on the sound, cinematography and mise-en-scne above the water. And thats still true today.. Moonlight Explained: Symbols, Camera & More - YouTube Its something that allows an audience to really sink into a story.. The moment feels biblical as Juan holds Chiron in what looks like a pieta over the waves. Lets deep dive into some of the elements and cinematography techniques used in the film. Jenkins has said that, the film being a fever dreamand that the audience is part of the dream. Jenkins and Laxton uses the way characters are lit and how neighborhoods are shot to challenge many stereotypes about black communities. The theme, being who we truly are and what our environment expects us to be, is the protagonists main conflict. Its something that as a cinematographer you are constantly aware of. It allows the audience to almost be disarmed in the first three minutes of this opening shot, says Laxton. Moonlight was loosely adapted from an unpublished [], Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins, adapting the unproduced play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Through his association with the color blue, Juan is introduced as a guardian, and a much-needed father- figure that has been missing from Chirons life. The Photographic Inspirations Behind Moonlight, 2016's Best Picture Your favorite beach reads and binge-worthy Netflix shows. When describing the look of the characters within the location Jenkins told TIME last month, Cinema is a little over 100 years old, and a lot of what we do is built around film emulsion. Jenkins and Laxton were of the opinion that since the widescreen ratio is automatically associated with franchise blockbusters, telling an intimate story of sexuality and belonging with the same dimensions would serve to create an atmosphere of total artistic unity. The effect is such that we are not watching them swimming; instead, we are right there next to them. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-cinematography-in-moonlight-by-barry-jenkins/. The film is separated into three chapters, Little as his youth, Chiron as his adolescence, and Black as his early adult life. Laxton was also heavily inspired by photography. One shot is taken as Chiron and the other as Black (playing into teenager vs adult) . Moonlights cinematography uses bold colors and stunning shots to create an emotional experience. Its an intentional move away from the aloof style and perfection of most big budget films today that attempt at realism. These find correlation in both the Objective Story Throughline and the Main Character Throughline: Little deals with the Past and Being (Objective Story Transit 1 and Main Character Transit 1) Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. Growing up in his early days, Chiron does not have a male or fatherly figure in his life. 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help you just now, Berry Jenkins intimate film Moonlight, follows the struggle of a young sensitive black man trying to find himself against his society's expectations of masculinity and identity. Juan relays this anecdote to make Chiron understand that identity is often shaped by ones circumstances, and people only see the person shaped by their lot in life, not who they truly are. Read More22 Must Watch Films For Great Cinematography21 Iconic Shots Of The 21st CenturyCinematography Vs Videography: Whats The Difference? 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. Cinematographer James Laxton films Ashton Sanders. , barefoot on the beach, soaked in blue moonlight, these motifs merge to create one final image of healing. Its sort of the delicate balance of providing images that allow an audience to feel like theyre watching a real experience. 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. Movie Analysis Essay on Moonlight - proessays.net David Bornfriend/A24. Moonlight (Film) Summary and Analysis of "Black" (Part One) Weve always placed powder on skin to dull the light. He borrowed elements from the work of photographers Earlie Hudnall Jr and Viviane Sassen. As the sky progressively turns grey, it contrasts against the clear ocean, presenting how the characters feel emotionally. Both films use color to reflect the mood of the scene and what the characters are thinking. During one of the film's many memorable dialogue exchanges (written by . Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man . Chiron's eyes say so much that this young man has not been taught how to express. Right afterwards, as. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. What thats done over the last, say, 30 years is it has made the audience assume that of these communities. "Moonlight" Exclusive Image Courtesy of Color Collective and A24 Testing the Limits of Contrast To capture Miami, Laxton knew he'd want the actors' skin to have a big shine, so the audience could. I think one of them, Its a way in which we provide a three dimensional value to a character like Paula, Chirons mother., In the complex scene Paula is obviously aware and frustrated by her sons burgeoning sexuality and shes simultaneously dealing with her own struggles with addiction, motherhood and sexuality. Color is one of the first things I notice about the sequence. Above: Roys work from his book from Out Of The Blue. The Sexual Identity and Overall Well Being of Chiron in Moonlight, a The frame is set up in such a way that the viewer only experiences the calm waters of the Atlantic and the rush of the waves as. I think that younger audiences are more accepting of this than older audiences. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It becomes clear that Terrence is an employee of Juan's who deals . So much is happening behind their eyes. This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before, Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts. While its a tender coming-of-age film, it never shies away from the harsh world of gangs and drug use that it is set in. The location of teenage Chiron provided the audience with this darkness and grotesque feel due to the green tone of his bathroom. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. Its a historically black community where the majority of residents live below the poverty line. Juan has burst into Chirons sanctuary, literally and metaphorically, and offers him food as a source of comfort. We transition from handheld to dolly, from dolly to steady cam. That pink light behind her in that scene and within the film generally helps to express another side of her, says Laxton. The film, which was critically acclaimed for its fresh take on race, African-American queer sexuality, and nuanced understandings of masculinity was told through bold colors and realism in the mode of cinematography. 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. Its sort of funny that this moment is happening at a time when those two things could not be further apart from one another., Moonlight moves away from the coldness on anything impersonal and uses a well-worn authenticity along with a small handful of the films recognized by the Academy this year. Moonlight Movie Discussion Questions | Study.com On the phone Laxton is modest about his work and credits the films success to his close friendship with Jenkins. Jenkins uses all the tools there are in camerawork to create a story thats personal to each and every person. Moonlights focus on telling a well-realized story is evident in its camera movements as well. I just feel satisfied that we got what we set out to get. The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. 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. That being said, I dont think the movies untrue. The whole thing was one camera, says Laxton. I mean Moonlight is not necessarily a realist movie by any stretch of the imagination. Many of Moonlights moving moments happen when actors look directly into the lens, letting the audience look into the characters eyes and have a deeper emotional connection with the characters. A fourth wall break happens when Chiron and his friend look directly at the camera as if the character is talking to the audience. The light in Miami is so specific, Laxton said. sets up a drug deal, the camera swirls around the characters, establishing the neighborhood in a highly stylized setting before following the protagonist running across a field in a long take. The Film Moonlight Film Analysis - 1279 Words | Bartleby The natural light gives the characters a soft glow and presents the characters in a way that does not feel fabricated. 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. This arc shot is a motif that is used repeatedly throughout the film and has two meanings. Light bulbs were changed from green to blue during a diner scene later in the film. The camera stops and Chiron looks to the audience as if beckoning to join him. Water is used as a symbol of transformation and reborn, it precedes every important choice the protagonist makes. There is a greater meaning to all the seemingly unimportant saturation of colors and camera angles. As Chiron finds a hiding place, the bullies insults become louder and louder. Chiron is changed forever in the preceding scene. Laxton pushes the camera closer and closer towards the characters so as to create moments of intentional bonding between them and the audience.