Monday, 28 March 2011

Part C/Three/5-2 - SECTION QUATRE

COLOUR


The way that colour has been used is very clever, in the first half using very very dark tones, making the bright yellow smiley badge stand out from the shadows and the natural night sky. The apartment itself is very dark also, with hardwood floors and black furniture, the grey and brown walls letting no bright colours in. The darkness is contrasted not only by the badge but also by the white reflections of the city outside, making the darkness so much more enclosing and worrying.
In the second half, this shadow is lifted and replaced with a yellow-ish tinge. This half focuses on white and pastel colours, even in the night scenes, the colour is light and bright, almost like it's the end of the tunnel for the person remembering these portions of history. This effect creates a kind of yin-yang effect, which balances the very dark scene before it.
The colour brings the viewer close into the film, with the darkness creating a kind of personal connection with Edward, as if the room is small and intimate, and then the harsh glow of the bright lights create a feeling of sudden realisation. It also hints at the ending of the film, of being kept in the dark right up till the very end, and then being shown the reasons behind everything in the final scene - being brought into the light of realisation.

1 comment:

  1. You have clearly described the colour used in this opening scene and explained how they foreshadow the film and help the viewer connect with the characters. Can you include some screen shots here to illustrate your points? How do these colours relate to the genre and the source material of this film? Why? What differs if any? Why does the badge stand out? What does it symbolise? Check for what to include so you can aim for Excellence.

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