Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper. 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. Your time is important. Jenkins approached the scene where Juan teaches Chiron to swim as a transcendental moment. When Chiron finally joins him, the camera jump cuts and it is no longer a long shot as Chiron begins to have fun. Let's fix your grades together! The baptism scene illustrates a swimming lesson between Juan and Little in the ocean. Let us write you an essay from scratch, Order a custom essay from our writers and get it on time, Structural Analysis Of The Movie Moonlight Essay, Analysis Of Cinematography In Barry Jenkins Movie Moonlight Essay, The Main Message Of The Film Moonlight Essay, Comparing Barry Jenkins And Richard Linklater's Works Essay, A Comparison Between the American Psycho and a Clockwork Orange Essay, A Study of the Character Alex in a Clockwork Orange Essay, The Role of Music in Bringing Out the Theme in a Clockwork Orange Essay, Free Will vs Morality in a Clockwork Orange Essay, The theme of morality and ethics in A Clockwork Orange Essay. The film has a retroactive effect. Laxton and Jenkins have cited the work of directors Wong Kar Wai, Spike Lee, and Claire Denis as sources of inspiration for Moonlight. Were currently seeking writers to join our summer writing program. Based on the unpublished play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney, it tells the story of a young Black man coming to grips with his attraction to other men. Looking for a way to spend your summer doing something creative and fulfilling? In Moonlight, clichs and tropes exist only so they can be upended. We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. When Juan beckons Chiron to teach him how to swim, it is a long shot as Chiron decides what to do. According to Laxton, this was an idea that took shape in pre-production. It is through these very techniques that. Sensitive topics such as race and sexuality, staged against the backdrop of the hood are automatically assumed to follow the convention of realism. So much is happening behind their eyes. 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). David Bornfriend/A24. When a character is the only one in an expanded frame, it highlights how alone they are. Barry Jenkins' Moonlight (2016) has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age stories on celluloid. At the end of the second part, Chiron has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. The light in Miami is so specific, Laxton said. Fear, love, and hate all coexist at the same time. Breaking the fourth wall. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. For their singular vision for storytelling, Moonlight famously won Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards. Barry Jenkins' Moonlight is a movie about Chiron, the protagonist, through three significant periods of his life. The assumption is that the story will be told in a tonality that prioritizes the gritty and bleak real-ism of their world. Laxton was also heavily inspired by photography. Realism was avoided, with an understanding that when a setting is visually pathologized, so too are the human beings in it. Maybe you think you know whats about to come in the next hour and a half., You dont, and thats the point. Everything that should feel familiar and gritty is photographed in the bright mid daylight and blown out whites. Back at school, after Kevin was forced to beat up Chiron by his bullies, Chiron sits in an office and tunes the principals voice out. The filmmakers create meaning from these through combining different elements of aesthetics . The concept of prejudice is also recreated to portray the mistreatment of the coloured. In the following, indispensable video essay from Screen Prism, the structure, cinematography (by James Laxton), sound . The film opens with a very stylized, swirling shot of a drug dealer, Juan, played by the magnificent Mahershala Ali. It is important to remember that this scene was after Kevin touched Chiron both physically and emotionally. Without saying a lot, the film creates dramatic tension as well as a sense of intimacy that can so often get lost in the viewing process. It is difficult to sum up all that feels new about Moonlight, which puts a fresh lens on so many things at once. So she took some and ate it; she also gave some to her husband and he ate it. Right afterwards, as. Every shot is rife with emotional heft and a definitive artistic composition. 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 an interview regarding his choices of shots Laxton explained that the light flickering scene caused a pit of trouble for, our gaffer had to add a flicker box to the light because we had such a hard time finding a frame rate and shutter angle that would get the right kind of flicker and the right amount of flicker that we were looking for.. to swim as a transcendental moment. A prominent scene depicts this where the protagonist is taught how to swim in the ocean by his father figure Juan. Through his association with the color blue, is introduced as a guardian, and a much-needed father- figure that has been missing from. Your California Privacy Rights. 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It allows the audience to almost be disarmed in the first three minutes of this opening shot, says Laxton. 22 Must Watch Films For Great Cinematography. The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Their filmmaking style developed after they met in college at Florida State University. 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). My morning routine is I make a cup of coffee and Ill just like scroll through Tumblr images for the first 20 minutes of my day, says Laxton. Color and light are tools for transcendence, used to reframe and illuminate. This also brings the film to a symbolic full circle, ending with the nascent stages of Chirons story. Here, it symbolizes the community and tight connection between the boss, employee, and customer. The sights, sounds, and smells of a summer day in your hometown. Jenkinss mom contracted HIV; McCraneys died of AIDS. Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the play on which the movie is based, both grew up there in the same part of Liberty City, Miami. Juan has burst into Chirons sanctuary, literally and metaphorically, and offers him food as a source of comfort. The waves distort the lens to accentuate the feeling of being present at such an intimate moment. That it should feel so radicalfor a kid from the projects to be portrayedwith a complete, three-dimensional portraitstirs up a heightened, devastating awareness of how rare a thing this is. The attempt was to promote those emotions, not just to present them, but to promote them to a place where you can sense the intensity by which Chirons character is going through these things. 100% Customized to Your Need with Expert Writers As Juan walks over to say hello to the young men, the camera slithers behind him. From this point, two contrasting scenes are paired as the camera quickly begins to move and swirl around Jauns conversation until a boy whos being chased by a pack of angry boys calling him a faggot interrupts him. 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. This essay has been submitted by a student. As Juan releases him to float, Chiron quickly steadies himself and Juan says, Right there, youre in the middle of the world. Water is used as a symbol of transformation and reborn, it precedes every important choice the protagonist makes. Tell us about your travels! The way each character talks are also contrasting, Juan speaks relaxed and caring while Chiron does not speak. According to Moonlight cinematographer James Laxton, much of today's cinema has lost this subjective intensity. This visual rebirth consolidates his transformation from a scared and vulnerable teenager to an angry and resolute youth, who now performs hegemonic, violent masculinity in order to reclaim some semblance of power. 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. How high-angle is something? It's an intentional move away from the aloof style and perfection of most big budget. 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. We didnt talk about Moonlight of course, but I think on some level those conversations about what it is to be a filmmaker, who our voices are as filmmakers. The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. Moonlight follows Chiron, an African American living in a rough neighborhood of Miami. Moonlight, American dramatic film, released in 2016, that unexpectedly won the Academy Award for best picture. Chiron's eyes say so much that this young man has not been taught how to express. In 2017, the film Moonlight was awarded Best Motion Picture at the 74th Academy Awards. How the cameras moving through a space. Weve always placed powder on skin to dull the light. Professional Writers that Guarantee an On-time Delivery. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. They remind me that Im having an experience that is really personal. We see him immerse his face in an ice bath, framed by flickering lights. 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. Jenkins, 37, was raised by a single mother who became addicted to crack. The camera gives Chirons point of view so that when the other boys stare at Chiron, they are looking at the audience. Both mother and son are partially broken. Moonlight gives us three Acts of Chiron's journey: Little, Chiron, and Black. The angle of the shot exaggerates Chirons gaze and makes it look more heartbroken than if it was an eye-level shot. Laxton creates pure poetry on celluloid that is perfectly equipped to conjure a story of self-discovery and acceptance. Its for grand stories and big-scope thoughts. . Cinematographer James Laxton films Ashton Sanders. Which is a scene I think we have seen. Especially visually, it isnt. The second chapter of the film uses German film stock which is known for adding cyan to its shots, which alludes to the films name. The film is driven by the internal conflicts of the characters, instead of a plot. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Rather than employing a realist, documentary style, Moonlight is filled with elements of visual design such as contrast, color, camera angles, lighting, and slow-motion that immerses the audience in a dreamlike . The composition of this notable scene juxtaposes the ingrained idea of Juan being a gang affiliated drug dealer as he takes on the role of father of the protagonist. Although all are heavily influenced by the beliefs [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. Moonlight is a masterclass in expressive camera and sound. Juan, a confident drug dealer, emerges from the car and crosses the street to greet Terrence. 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. Two faces, two connected souls. 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. No words are spoken and the two characters are just staring at one another. Laxton and Jenkins drew from varied sources to create a singular cinematic language for Moonlight. Some of the most impactful moments are relayed through stares. While I think audiences are actually chomping at the bit for really personal unique visions of things. It is said that this scene was originally intended to be six hours to fully capture this scene but due to a storms untimely passing it was done within 90 minutes. Similar themes are present in both films, but Jenkinss sophomore film shows how much the filmmaker has improved. 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. The idea of judgment. 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. Manage Settings Thats an idea that kind of came out of our process on the set. The film is separated into three chapters, Little as his youth, Chiron as his adolescence, and Black as his early adult life. Moonlight, which is up for six Golden Globes and is likely to earn as many Oscar nominations, leaves a lasting impression on your mind and eye, and its impact is not limited to yourpresent field of vision. To do this we went for some soft, overhead dramatic lighting with accents of color, one of those being the pink light in the background behind the character Paula. (2016) has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age stories on celluloid. This is where the association with water is relevant. . Moonlight (Film) Summary and Analysis of "Black" (Part One) Summary At the start of this chapter, we see the same image of Paula yelling at Little in the pink light of her room. Some of the most impactful moments are relayed through stares. Its most prominent themes are love, stereotypes and identity. var aax_size='300x600';var aax_pubname='flickside08-21';var aax_src='302'; Subscribe to stay informed about noteworthy films. Our idea was to present them visually with that same amount of intensity. Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins, adapting the unproduced play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. How the light looks on someones face. Home Essay Samples Entertainment Moonlight Analysis of Cinematography in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins. . Jaws Cinematography Analysis 709 Words | 3 Pages. Laxton explained: In that moment, when shes very angry at her son, the pink light tips the audience to a different aspect of her, a different side to her., Laxton went to film school with Jenkins in the early aughts, at the Florida State Film School in Tallahassee, where for a time the two were roommates. But the film is an absolute triumph on both counts for its vibrant storytelling. Those two things are at complete odds with one another. After the bullies leave, Chiron wanders around and finds a syringe, foreshadowing his profession in the third part of the film. All rights reserved. But a community can also be a cage. There is not much point in writing a novel unless you can show the possibility [], Many philosophers have believed for centuries that no intrinsic meaning exists in the universe. Another scene where the camera circles around the characters is when Chirons bullies are forcing his friend to hit him for being different. The camera goes to a low-angle shot as Chirons glare becomes harder and the sound of his harsh breathing becomes louder. But the drug economy in which the characters live does not define them as human beings. I think its that moment where the language in which Moonlight is established. So was McCraney, 36. Blue serves as a source of solace and peace for. Lighting is used to challenge stereotypes by juxtaposing the dark things that happen to characters with bright and beautiful lights in the background. Barry Jenkins's first film, Medicine for Melancholy, has a similar theme to his second feature film. Were excited to hear from you! Cinematographer Laxton used an Arri Alexa digital camera that displays skin tone more vibrantly as skin tone was an important aspect of Moonlight. Cinematographer James Laxton shot every scene in Moonlight with clear purpose; to capture and express Chirons inner world from moment to moment. Every shot is rife with emotional heft and a definitive artistic composition. Moonlight exquisitely uses light and color to enhance the immersion of the audience into Chiron's thoughts and feelings. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. (The teenage Chiron is played by Ashton Sanders in the second act, the adult Chiron by Trevante Rhodes in the third.) It is a lens that has been used on many beloved movies and cinematographer James Laxton has said that Its for grand stories and big-scope thoughts. But blue is also the color of identity, or rather, the symbol of the formation of an identity. You blue, thats what Im gon call you.. 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. 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. These pops of color offer a beauty and map to understand the full existence of our characters., We start this sequence with a shot inspired by an animal circling its prey. Colorist Alex Bickel achieved a vibrant film by increasing the contrast and saturation while preserving details and color. Ad Choices. A man teaching a boy how to swim turns into a powerful moment of . The camera slowly goes toward Chiron until he turns his head to look behind him. The moment feels biblical as Juan holds Chiron in what looks like a pieta over the waves. 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. story. Im very proud of and very happy with the diner scene in story three, says Laxton. Its a historically black community where the majority of residents live below the poverty line. 2 Analysis of cinematography in A Better Life and Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins uses cinematography in the film "Moonlight." From the beginning of the scene, lighting is at play as Chiron approaches the diner. Dark colors and harsh light is the appropriate lens, we seem to have decided, for dark circumstances and harsh realities. The effect is such that we are not watching them swimming; instead, we are right there next to them. This artistic music rising out of Chiron is almost not what the audience expects just as the soundtrack is to the movie. 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. The choice to portray what looks like a stereotypical drug deal, and then swiftly move towards the vulnerability of Little/Chiron, as he is bullied serves to subvert audiences expectations and sets the right tone. 2023 gradesfixer.com. Before Chiron walks into a diner the lightbulbs outside were changed to give off a blue hue instead of the natural green to make Chiron look softer. As the second part ends and the third begins, a grown-up, , dunks himself in an ice bath yet again, as if to erase all traces of his past scared self through this ritual and be reborn again as the powerful drug lord that he has grown into. He borrowed elements from the work of photographers Earlie Hudnall Jr and Viviane Sassen. As a writer for Odyssey, youll have the opportunity to share your voice with our community of readers from all over the world. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. I think whats happened is that the realistic aesthetic applied to drug addiction, or lower socioeconomic classes, portrays the characters as having dark or depressive mentalities, Laxton said. 30 Best Italian Movies Of All Time, Ranked. , as he is bullied serves to subvert audiences expectations and sets the right tone. focus on telling a well-realized story is evident in its camera movements as well. But the next cut is to a child running through tall grass, and handheld, somewhat frenetic camera movement., The switch-up in camera style portends a switch-up of archetypes. Later it is the friendship between young schoolboys during a ballgame. But the next cut is to a child running through tall grass, and handheld, somewhat frenetic camera movement.