All rights reserved. The top five things on your summer bucket list this year. "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. The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. Moonlight gives us three Acts of Chiron's journey: Little, Chiron, and Black. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper. 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. This arc shot is a motif that is used repeatedly throughout the film and has two meanings. 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). Barry Jenkins, the screenwriter and director behind the beautiful new film Moonlight, grew up in Liberty City, the Miami neighborhood where the story is set. We see him immerse his face in an ice bath, framed by flickering lights. It allows us to make choices later on in the film, that if we dont set up our language that way at the beginning, could possibly feel like not as organic.. I think its that moment where the language in which Moonlight is established. At the end of the second part, Chiron has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. Road-tripping with your friends? Its what our job is: To depict a judgment. There is an inherent tension, then, between his role and the effect he is hoping to elicit. Laxton and Jenkins drew from varied sources to create a singular cinematic language for Moonlight. We walk through the film's structure, cinematography, sound and symbolism to show you . above the water. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of [.] There is a greater meaning to all the seemingly unimportant saturation of colors and camera angles. first introduction and their subsequent meeting are framed in the vivid blue of his car, and his apartment. Read More22 Must Watch Films For Great Cinematography21 Iconic Shots Of The 21st CenturyCinematography Vs Videography: Whats The Difference? Every shot is rife with emotional heft and a definitive artistic composition. So we used oil. focus on telling a well-realized story is evident in its camera movements as well. In contrast from other movies about poverty that mostly is accompanied by jarring noises and severity, Moonlights soundtrack consists of beautiful melodies that are created with a number of violins, cellos, violas, and basses that are constantly being filtered through Chirons perspective. September 5, 2020 by The Editors Leave a Comment. 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. How long-angle is something? When he washes off his bloodied face he is simultaneously washing away the old Chiron, thereby ushering the audience into the third chapter in which we see a parallel to the bathroom scene, only now with Black. The Atlantic Ocean is a bright blue while the scene challenges what black fathers are supposed to be. 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 angle of the shot exaggerates Chirons gaze and makes it look more heartbroken than if it was an eye-level shot. We follow him as he grows up in Liberty City, Miami with no father and a mother struggling with a crack addiction, plus all the pressure of being a Black boy. Were currently seeking writers to join our summer writing program. Instead, the camera simply allows the audience to see them at their most humane moments with their flaws and hopes laid bare. 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 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. The immersion in water is reminiscent of a baptism, and this motif is repeated throughout the film. From this belief emerged many responses, including absurdism and existentialism. Unlike other films, Moonlight does not use a realistic aesthetic that other films that deal with drug addiction and lower socioeconomic classes. Its like Lion, Arrival, and La La Land, these are really personal visions of things., Your browser is out of date. 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. According to Laxton, this was an idea that took shape in pre-production. Another scene where the camera circles around the characters is when Chirons bullies are forcing his friend to hit him for being different. But as the film ends, the final image is that of Little, barefoot on the beach, soaked in blue moonlight, these motifs merge to create one final image of healing. The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. "I think for all of us around there, and especially for Barry because this is so personal to him, that just . 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. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Rather, there is classical music playing which allows himself to disconnect from his external reality, for the music that often plays is a direct signifying factor of his inner self. From a distance, this seems like a very specific story. This scene is much more than the light fixture, however, but also the engrossed colors that illuminated the shots. Immediately after the first scene, the camera moves to Chiron being chased by his bullies. This is where the association with water is relevant. What it means to that character to be bullied, to have to deal with these sexual questions that hes going through in his teenaged years. 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. Light was placed within a tree by Laxton to cast speckled obscurities on the main character as he strode underneath, generating exclusively new photographic attentiveness from the . Theres a certain beauty to the sheen., For this scene we physically put ourselves in a scenario in which our environment had a massive influence on what kind of images we captured. GradesFixer. 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. The two men didnt know each other at the time, but they have together brought the hyper specificity and full emotional heft of their lived experience to bear on the story of Chiron, a poor, black, and gay boy who comes of age in a Liberty City housing project. The camera is always placed as close to the actors as possible, so as to put the viewer in the scene. It's an intentional move away from the aloof style and perfection of most big budget. Lighting is used to challenge stereotypes by juxtaposing the dark things that happen to characters with bright and beautiful lights in the background. THE IMAGES THAT INSPIRED JAMES LAXTON | BY PAUL MOAKLEY. 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. (2000). 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. Sensitive topics such as race and sexuality, staged against the backdrop of the hood are automatically assumed to follow the convention of realism. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. 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. 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. The camera is sped up and closing in on Chiron and his friend, trapping them even further. The location of teenage Chiron provided the audience with this darkness and grotesque feel due to the green tone of his bathroom. As Juan walks over to say hello to the young men, the camera slithers behind him. This artistic music rising out of Chiron is almost not what the audience expects just as the soundtrack is to the movie. 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 and director Barry Jenkins on location in Miami. 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. Looking for a way to spend your summer doing something creative and fulfilling? Moonlight was loosely adapted from an unpublished play from Tarell McCraney called, Black Boys Look Blue. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I knew that relationship like the back of my hand because thats where my life and Tarells overlapped, he told the Hollywood Reporter. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. 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. It somehow seems appropriate in a way that again doesnt speak to the realism of the movie but it somehow speaks to the emotional value that I think we were trying to present to our audience. In a scene that could have been so much darker and so much grittier this lighting choice elevates the scene to a slightly surreal place. In this aspect, blue becomes the motif of rebirth and a fragmented identity. 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, 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. It is through these very techniques that. All rights reserved. For Chiron, his community ostracizes him for being gay. How the light looks on someones face. But as the film ends, the final image is that of. Its an intentional move away from the aloof style and perfection of most big budget films today that attempt at realism. 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. While Juan is respected by his peers, Chiron is persecuted by them. They also used anamorphic lenses, which normally allowmultiple characters to play out a scene in the same wide-screen frame. tripartite narrative and non-linear storytelling is also reminiscent of the latter. 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. It makes the audience absorbed into the scene and sees the intensity of what the character is feeling. It is difficult to sum up all that feels new about Moonlight, which puts a fresh lens on so many things at once. Join our team and let's create something amazing together! I think we all have gazes, says Laxton about his take on photography. It is important to remember that this scene was after Kevin touched Chiron both physically and emotionally. From the very first shot of drug dealer, (played by Mahershala Ali) arriving to meet with his subordinates, we are greeted with a bright color palette that is infused with rich blues, bright yellows and tropical reds. Those things were calibrated for white skin. You cant help on some level just go, wow, I dont know whats happening here but Im just going to sort of sit back and watch. 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. The director and cowriter, Barry Jenkins, won praise for his empathetic depiction of complex characters. For their singular vision for storytelling, Moonlight famously won Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards. Similar themes are present in both films, but Jenkinss sophomore film shows how much the filmmaker has improved. While it doesnt have the most bold, visual, stylistic stuff happening, theres a real precision to choices we were making that Im very interested in. This film was the first with an all African-American cast and LGBTQ-based storyline to win an award of this prestige. 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. One shot is taken as Chiron and the other as Black (playing into teenager vs adult) . Laxton creates pure poetry on celluloid that is perfectly equipped to conjure a story of self-discovery and acceptance. Well known for its groundbreaking lighting of black actors, Moonlight embraces the tension of the location in what Jenkins calls "a beautiful nightmare" (Jenkins). The bright colors used are different than the usual dark and harsh colors American indie movies that tackle social issues usually have. Above: D.N.A., 2007. 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. The movie begins with Chiron as a neglected 9-year-old where he is exposed to. We balance between sensuality and violence, and in this moment, violence triumphs. 30 Best Italian Movies Of All Time, Ranked. A person may deal drugs for money, but no moral baggage is ascribed to this detail; it recedes into the background, having nothing whatever to do with their value system. Realism was avoided, with an understanding that when a setting is visually pathologized, so too are the human beings in it. The film is driven by the internal conflicts of the characters, instead of a plot. Their filmmaking style developed after they met in college at Florida State University. But "Moonlight" is a film about faces. Lighting focused on skin tone and making skin color look natural and appealing. Weve always placed powder on skin to dull the light. I mean Moonlight is not necessarily a realist movie by any stretch of the imagination. As the second part ends and the third begins, a grown-up Chiron, now called Black, 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. It becomes clear that Terrence is an employee of Juan's who deals . Notes of Wais work can be felt in some of the most dramatic moments where Chirons mother, Paula, played by Naomie Harris, stands over her son scolding him while a pink light glows from her bedroom. 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. 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. 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. Moonlights setting in Miami was essential to the story. 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. If the empathic power of Moonlight defies easy categorization, it can be trickier still to put your finger on what is singular about the cinematography. Since one of the concepts of our visual language had to do with being immersive, it was a must to put the camera in the water, within the tides and waves of the ocean, to experience the swimming lesson as the characters do. In this aspect, blue becomes the motif of rebirth and a fragmented identity. The waves distort the lens to accentuate the feeling of being present at such an intimate moment. The non-linear storytelling is enhanced by the visual choices of the film. Here are some of the topics wed love to hear about: Whether you're an experienced writer or just starting out, we welcome anyone with a passion for writing and a desire to share their perspective. 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. The close-up of Chiron after Juans offer clearly shows his anxiety. Cinematographer Laxton used an Arri Alexa digital camera that displays skin tone more vibrantly as skin tone was an important aspect of Moonlight. Jaws Cinematography Analysis 709 Words | 3 Pages. If you fit this description, you can use our free essay samples to generate ideas, get inspired and figure out a title or outline for your paper. Thats an idea that kind of came out of our process on the set. 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. Its sort of a fake-out. 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. Plot is not so much the concern as an intensive character study is. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. James Laxton cites the work of Henry Roy was someone shaped how he and Jenkins the look of Moonlight. The spinning has a dizzying effect, which intends to put our audience in a state of tension, uncertain as to how the scene will play out. The film is separated into three chapters, Little as his youth, Chiron as his adolescence, and Black as his early adult life. ultimate self-acceptance at the end of the film are relayed to us in silent gazes. Moonlights cinematography uses bold colors and stunning shots to create an emotional experience. Professional Writers that Guarantee an On-time Delivery. At the end of the film, the last shot is Chiron standing in front of the Atlantic in the moonlight. We walk through the film's structure, cinematography, sound and symbolism to show you what you might have missed about this immersive. 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. The entire scene is a single shot, showing how natural Juan fits in the neighborhood with effortless authority. This circular shot encapsulates the Chirons teenage bully Tell as he initiates a game of knockout as he directs Kevin to punch Chiron. 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.. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of [], What I believe the film Moonlight is attempting to communicate to us watching is not simply the acknowledgment of homosexuality inside African American neighborhoods, yet additionally grasping young men who exist outside of that [], The semi-autobiographical bildungsroman films Moonlight and Boyhood, directed by Barry Jenkins and Richard Linklater, explore comparable themes through the use of cinematic and narrative techniques. Our idea was to present them visually with that same amount of intensity. 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. Moonlight is a masterclass in expressive camera and sound. When Juan is introduced, the camera follows behind him smoothly. Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, takes a look at a young black male growing up in Miami named Chiron. We see him immerse his face in an ice bath, framed by flickering lights. I wanted everyones skin to have a sheen to reflect my memory., While trying to establish texture of the place, Laxton spent eight weeks studying the light and the humidity of the location. 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. But the drug economy in which the characters live does not define them as human beings. In the color correction, we embraced the brightness and high contrast, intending to emphasize the heightened sense of extremes., We needed an image that had the aggression of our characters state of mind. to swim. Sensitive topics such as race and sexuality, staged against the backdrop of the hood are automatically assumed to follow the convention of realism. Your California Privacy Rights. Later in the film when Chiron enters the diner scene, it is a long shot to present the setting and feel of the diner. Backpacking across Europe? Laxton used Hawk V-Lite anamorphic lenses, throughout the film to help amplify the emotional state of the characters within the majestic widescreen format. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Shes yelling at her son. Its merely a feature of the landscape, where air is humid, birds chirp, people disappear, and small bills flow in a circle. So she took some and ate it; she also gave some to her husband and he ate it. The main characters self-discovery is told through these chapters, each through a different developmental phase of his life. There is a greater meaning to all the seemingly unimportant saturation of colors and camera angles. Image Source: lensculture.com ( Earlie Hudnall, Jr., Viviane Sassen, courtesy of PDNB Gallery). The light inside the building came from the lamps and it gave a natural and realistic feel to the diner. But my memory of growing up in Miami is this moist, beautiful black skin. The effect is such that we are not watching them swimming; instead, we are right there next to them. 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. The camera gives Chirons point of view so that when the other boys stare at Chiron, they are looking at the audience. Tell us about your travels! Moonlight doesn't just look and sound great. As Chiron finds a hiding place, the bullies insults become louder and louder. 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.