Saturday, December 31, 2011

Light, Color and Rhythm

During the Christmas days I saw some films among which was a historical drama, just some hundred years ago, which happened in a city... a beautiful city and beautiful places but not seen in the film. Why? Because the time was harsh and poor... Maybe there is a trend that favors dark shapeless cinematography without proper lighting and colors... Personally I think it is only mental poverty and laziness.

What about Middle Ages? Dark and deadly! And yet I do remember through years a film from the mid age that had light, gorgeous scenery, delicious colors and light that might be called heavenly! And it was of tragic and dramatic development. This film is 'Kristin Lavransdatter' (1995) and the cinematography is by Sven Nykvist (1922-2006). It must be nearly ten years since I have seen this film - several times - and I still remember vividly the jewel-like colors of clothes and textiles, the light in churches and monasteries, and on the streets! The candlelight had magic and the sun was sparkling in the air. Even the twilight in the dormitory had tones... It was a world seen through  real masters eyes.

As life and drama are colorful so should the pictures be - death and depression should be built in another way, so that the texture gets richer, not poorer. I know I am using the absence of color in the funeral scene in 'Chambers' but I intend the pictures still to be regal in their graphic forms and composure, and not dull and smudgy. And the black and white just emphasizes the pale shades of faces and some objects making them come out of the surrounding world. And it is not really black and white, no - it is color but the scenery is bw, and there is a spot of color every now and then, fx green or blue eyes, yellow flowers...

to be continued...