Cinematography - Raging Bull (1980, Martin Scorsese)

When Jake (performed by Robert De Niro) walks into the ring, a long tracking shot is used from filming in front of him. It is in eye level and medium shot is used. This conveys the continuity and pace he walks to the ring, which suggests his confidence as we can tell by his facial expressions. Also, this scene is shot in selective focus to put the audience’s attention on Jake. It suggests that he is the ‘star of the show’ and everyone besides him is not important. By blurring the faces of his supporters behind him, a sense of ignorant is shown and it suggests that Jake doesn’t pay any attention to them as he wants to concentrate on the competition; however, it could perhaps show how snobbish he is as he sees them as unimportant. Moreover, the camera changes from shooting in front of him to following behind him. This is significant as it could imply that the audience is one of his supporters and it reinforces the pace he walks to the ring, which is fast and hard to catch up with.

Telephoto lens is used when Jake enters the ring, as the movements would seem to be faster and sharper. This helps to create the tense and exciting atmosphere of the competition. It also allows the audience to feel the movement more vibrantly. Furthermore, panning is used when the judge points at Jake in order to show the connection between the two as the judge is the one who decides the outcome of the competition. It also conveys the attention of the audience, which is from the judge to Jake. Moreover, the close-up shot both on the judge and Jake emphasises the concentration of the audience as they are all focused onto those people. The close-up suggests tension as we only see their faces but not their surroundings. On the other hand, the medium close-up used to shoot Jake’s wife shows that he only pays attention to her out of all the audiences. This could convey their close relationship and also could be a hint of his jealousy over her, as he is always observing her and who she’s with.

During the fight, the vibrant movements of the boxers are emphasised by the use of medium long shot, which shows most parts of their bodies. Some shots are done in eye level but worm’s eye is also implemented to show their facial expressions and slightly distorted faces. This shows their exhaustion and intensity of the fight. Moreover, medium close-up is used to shoot Jake as the fight pauses. This creates tension and emphasises how tired he is as we see him breathing deeply and sweating heavily. The ring is presented as a very intense and tight space by a high angle shot. This again reinforces the intensity of the fight and the nervousness of not only the boxers, the judge but the audience as well.

Through the canted angle used after the fight, extreme exhaustion of Jake is emphasised as well as the sweat on his body. It shows that he took this fight seriously and how hard he fought. Slow motion is used afterwards, when the judge is walking towards him to tell him the result of the fight. The slow motion helps to build up tension and trick the audience’s curiosity as we all want to know the outcome. Moreover, the moment when Jake knows he wins is presented in a more dramatic way by slow motion.

Lastly, in the celebration scene, the camera tilts from shooting Jake’s belt to him raising his hands above him, showing his victory. This is used to emphasise the massive belt he wins which is seem as bigger than him in this shot and this conveys how important this victory is to him. Nonetheless, extreme close-up is used as well to show Jake’s facial expression which is rather overwhelmed. Also, this method is used to shoot the cameras flashing light on Jake too. The flash lights are so bright and somehow irritating but it suggests Jake’s glorious victory as well as letting the audience empathise with Jake when facing all the ‘fame’. The angle used is mostly eye level but also there are some low angle shots, they convey that Jake is ‘taller’ than us and probably suggest a higher in status as he wins the fight. The light shines on him is also emphasised which reminds us of the fame he has and also his happiness.

Mise en scene - Metropolis (1926, Fritz Lang)

In the settings of Metropolis, the lower class workers are belittled by placing them as very tiny in the frame while the upper class rich people have close-up and occupy most of the frame to emphasis the difference between the two classes. The faces of the higher class are shown clearly but the audience could barely identify one of the workers as they appear small in the frame and have their heads down. This also conveys one of the themes in this film, which is the social hierarchy and how the rich are unaware of the tough life of the poor. It is ironic because everything the rich enjoy and use are actually produced by the hard work of the lower working class.

Moreover, the workers wear the same dark, dull uniform and move in unison in the first scene. This shows that they are all equal and not as important as the higher class because in contrast, the higher class is presented as nobles and their costumes are more detailed and glamourous. Also, they wear different costumes which suggests their wealth and the freedom they have. The upper class wear costumes that are lighter in colour while the workers wear darker clothing. It suggests the varied moods they have.

 

On the other hand, the workers move in groups and their footsteps are heavy and slow. It emphasises the workers feelings about going to work, or even living in Metropolis – dreadful and sad. They only move forward and their movements are synchronised which suggests the lack of freedom and that they are under control. Hence, their lives are very different from the rich, where they can run around freely and move as individuals. The close-up of their faces shows huge smiles which implies happiness.

Furthermore, the atmosphere is shown as boring and poignant with the use of dim, blue lighting in this scene. This reinforces the tough lives of the workers. Also, it creates a huge contrast with the second scene, where above the ground, in the upper class’ garden, yellow and bright lights are used to emphasis the fact that they are much richer and happier than the workers. Consequently, the difference between classes is again reinforced by the clever use of lighting as the mood is obviously changed. In addition, the dim lighting in the first scene could suggest that the workers are in underground; whereas the bright lighting in scene two shows the life above the ground. This also suggests the division in class and the status of the lower class, which is beneath the higher class.

After the explosion, the machines become a monster-like fierce face with a massive mouth and groups of workers keep approaching unwillingly into the mouth. This is very iconic as it shows how the workers are seen as slaves and offerings to the upper class (as the large mouth). It also emphasises the pain of the workers and how little they are comparing to the rich. Moreover, as this scene is seen by the rich male main protagonist, it could suggest the realisation of the rich about the reality of the world of Metropolis. Fear is shown as he tries to use his hands to cover his face and because he is leaning onto the wall. This conveys that the rich people in Metropolis have no idea about the lives of the lower working class. Therefore, this could emphasis how absurd and ignorant they are.

In the last scene, skyscrapers and advanced transportations are shown which differs from the first three scenes largely. This scene suggests the dystopia of the future world as lightings are dim and in cold tone. We also do not see any human in the scene which could suggest a deadly atmosphere.

First post

Hi there this is my first blog post.