Miracle At St. Anna
Directed by Spike Lee
2008
Primarily black cast. Multi-protagonist, all of which are black.
Action, Drama, Crime, War
Mise-en-scene: Perfect costumes and scenery to put us in the correct location and time of a world war II torn Italy. The dark colours during every sad and brutal scene had similar effects to that of the colour scheme of Saving Private Ryan where nearly everything but the blood and explosions was grey, showing the dull, seriousness of war. No bright, happy, fun colours. Only blood, fire and the dark green of the army uniforms strayed from the otherwise monotone colour palette. Just look how many people in the following picture from quite possibly the most serious scene in the entire movie are wearing dark clothing, foreboding the slaughter that's about to occur.
Cinematography: The hand-held camera during the battle scenes also took the audience deeper into the action. It'd be quite strange if while explosions, gunfire and screaming's happening, the camera was steady, neat and had apparent order. It simply wouldn't fit the chaotic scene. So the fact that Spike Lee decided to use the unsteady camera shot was perfect. Close ups of the shots of horror and fast cuts between different forms of violence also helped to shock audiences and seemingly never cease the death of war. Even the trailer is a perfect example of this as it starts with a slow build and once the shooting begins, there's not a shot that remains on screen for more than a few seconds without cutting to another death or explosion.
The circular narrative of the shot of simply a hat surrounded by blood with a gun lying on it is wonderful as it immediately throws us in the action. We're left with an infinite amount of questions as to why the hell this seemingly great man, a war hero no less, killed a seemingly innocent man in cold blood. Then simply walks away calmly and gives himself up quitely. And by the end we're treated to all the answers to these questions and more. The man was a traitor who caused all of his friends to die and even more innocent lives to be lost. He walked away calmly because he didn't doubt for a second that what he did was the right thing to do. He killed him because he was an evil man and got exactly what was coming to him and we don't feel a single bit of remorse for the previously perceived as innocent man.
2008
Primarily black cast. Multi-protagonist, all of which are black.
Action, Drama, Crime, War
Mise-en-scene: Perfect costumes and scenery to put us in the correct location and time of a world war II torn Italy. The dark colours during every sad and brutal scene had similar effects to that of the colour scheme of Saving Private Ryan where nearly everything but the blood and explosions was grey, showing the dull, seriousness of war. No bright, happy, fun colours. Only blood, fire and the dark green of the army uniforms strayed from the otherwise monotone colour palette. Just look how many people in the following picture from quite possibly the most serious scene in the entire movie are wearing dark clothing, foreboding the slaughter that's about to occur.
Cinematography: The hand-held camera during the battle scenes also took the audience deeper into the action. It'd be quite strange if while explosions, gunfire and screaming's happening, the camera was steady, neat and had apparent order. It simply wouldn't fit the chaotic scene. So the fact that Spike Lee decided to use the unsteady camera shot was perfect. Close ups of the shots of horror and fast cuts between different forms of violence also helped to shock audiences and seemingly never cease the death of war. Even the trailer is a perfect example of this as it starts with a slow build and once the shooting begins, there's not a shot that remains on screen for more than a few seconds without cutting to another death or explosion.
The circular narrative of the shot of simply a hat surrounded by blood with a gun lying on it is wonderful as it immediately throws us in the action. We're left with an infinite amount of questions as to why the hell this seemingly great man, a war hero no less, killed a seemingly innocent man in cold blood. Then simply walks away calmly and gives himself up quitely. And by the end we're treated to all the answers to these questions and more. The man was a traitor who caused all of his friends to die and even more innocent lives to be lost. He walked away calmly because he didn't doubt for a second that what he did was the right thing to do. He killed him because he was an evil man and got exactly what was coming to him and we don't feel a single bit of remorse for the previously perceived as innocent man.
Very succinct! You begin to discuss The mise en scene but stop before you have given what I feel to be enough examples, to prove your point. You also only talk about one element of the Cinematography. You discuss the narrative and a key theme of revenge however going forward to improve and boost chances at higher grades you need to expand the range of CCCEO that you use. Your understanding seems to be obvious however you need to display that to the moderator and examiners, remember they may not have seen these films. Keep pushing!
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