Throughout this movie, there are many different styles of contrasting symbols that we can relate to and have all seen before. There is an extreme distinction between light and dark. You are first taken to a small light and happy village, symbolizing peace and a sense of security. Then later contrasting it with a dark, gloomy and eerie fortress which later on turns into a gorgeous and bright castle, welcoming anything or anyone into it.
The dark, and depressing colors include black and grey and are used all through the dark interior of the forbidden castle. It provides an impression of chaos, mystery and evil. With the red carpet running down the halls of every corridor(a sense of death and treachery) , the castle gives the viewers a terrible first impression, letting us come to the conclusion that this castle was never meant to have anyone enter it. Why does the narrator give us this false impression of what really lies behind those castle doors? Is the sudden dramatic change from dark and gloomy to light and happy something we can distinguish in other films?
I believe that the narrator gives the viewer a false impression on the castle to help bring the viewer in. When watching, the viewer would automatically view the castle as a dark and weary place to be, therefore making the assumption of hell. And when later in the film, most times they either contradict the statement, or prove it even more either through symbols and colors. Films such as Harry Potter, Hagrid's appearance is set to be weary and suspicious but in reality he is like a huge teddy bear. Also in Harry Potter, Voldemort is set to be the evil person through the novel and the movies and his reputation of being evil is maintained. And through these techniques, the writer always maintains the viewers interest, mostly because the first impressions of people and places help to enhance the viewers interest. And in most films, they usually have the distinguishable light and dark, or two opposites being together. What other ways can we see two distinct differences in films? Such as actions and words? Or other visual aspects too?
ReplyDeleteThere is a wonderful scene in Leon/The Professional, featuring a young Natalie Portman. Out for groceries, she returns to her dim and dingy apartment. She hears terrible sounds and sees a thug standing outside her door. She silently begins to cry, realizing that her parents have been murdered. She gathers herself and walks by the apartment and man without a second glance. She reaches the door at the end of the hallway. She knocks. She pleads quietly to be let in. She knocks again. Leon opens the door and light shines on her face--we know that she will be safe here because of this light. It cuts through the darkness and bathes her. As viewers we understand that no harm will come to her if she is with Leon.
ReplyDeleteIn a way it seems as though the directors of any movie will set a creepy/scary mood as a misleading factor adding to the suspense in the story line. When the bright lights and colours appear, it reassures the veiwer that the character is in a safe place and like you said, no harm will come to them. It adds alot of different features and perspectives to the film that you couldnt get in a simple black and white film. If the movie was in black and white you couldn't get the same effect as the colour contrasts in modern day films.
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