colker
Well-known
Shot by the director himself in beautiful black and white (don´t know if film or video).. it´s a recreation of his childhood in 1970s Mexico city.
The film is carried by Cuaron´s photography and his long takes are unbelievably complex.
The film is carried by Cuaron´s photography and his long takes are unbelievably complex.
aizan
Veteran
second the great cinematography. i saw it at the hammer this wednesday, and people everywhere were crying.
colker
Well-known
It´s a masterpiece. What is it? Film? Digital more likely.
Form opening to end, it´s the photography that is carrying the story in ways i have not seen before.
Marco Milazzo
Member
One of the few films made for adults these days. I felt the influence of Italian neorealism -- Rossellini, de Sica, early Fellini.
colker
Well-known
Absolutely! It reminds me of Fellini. The martial arts class is pure Fellini.
There is also something from Orson Welles on those impossible mastershots that go from inside to outside scenes.
Cuaron is a monster.
vbsoto
Established
I just watched it last night. I marveled at how they achieved their lighting across such broadranging scenes, especially on the long runs and interior/exterior runs.
colker
Well-known
Yeah. It´s jaw dropping technically brilliant. How about those scenes inside the cinema?
colker
Well-known
And there is a long master shot where the camera goes w/ Cleo in the waves. It´s freaking beautifull.
I never seen a film where photography is the main narrative tool.
I never seen a film where photography is the main narrative tool.
DominikDUK
Well-known
Large Format Digital, Arri Alexa 65, but the capturing medium shouldn't matter. Though Cuaron said in an interview that he wanted a digital look. It Looks beautiful but it lacks some texture, that was part of the neo verismo movies and was the result of a bit of filmgrain and low budget.
Still beautiful no matter the medium
colker
Well-known
I agree; capturing medium should not matter. There are very few close ups ... and then there is a beautifull classic portrait done w/ wide angle of Cleo close to the end.
vbsoto
Established
I think that applies to the deep depth of field, sharpness was deep, near to far, which I appreciated artistically as purposeful. Especially say in the street scenes in front of the house, or interiors with activity happening outside the windows in the scene.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I will look tonight!
Erik.
Erik.
colker
Well-known
Orson Welles did it in Citizen Kane... it was shot for maximum depth of field.
The movie hit me as part Fellini, part Welles.
DominikDUK
Well-known
Here his direct quote and it has nothing to do with deep focus "I didn't want this to a be a vintage black-and-white — a black-and-white that would look like something done in the '60s or the '50s," he says. "I wanted a digital black-and-white that would embrace digital, not try to hide the digital quality of it, with amazing resolution and amazing dynamic range and amazing definition." He certainly achieved that but it did cost him texture which this film is missing imo.
colker
Well-known
What i find amazing is how photography narrates the story. Even though it is highly emotional the script is thin. Scenes are not based on dialogue or acting but on plasticity and visual elements. We know there is something wrong w/ the Gringos in the ranch because of the embalmed dog heads. Everything else in the movie happens as a photographic image.
It´s the first time i watch such thing happen in movies.
flagellum
Established
All of Cuaron's work is really incredible as far as cinematography goes. Children of Men, Gravity, and Y Tu Mama Tambien are all masterpieces as far as cinematography goes. He embraces long cuts through and through. Haven't seen Roma yet, but considering that Cuaron makes up a good cunk of my top 10 films of all time list, really looking forward to it.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Agreed ... Roma is Beautiful
Re: “I never seen a film where photography is the main narrative tool”
Watch films by the cinematographer: Sven Nykvist
His work was transformed while working with Ingmar Bergman. Bergman films were truly special because of Sven’s use of Shadows & Light.
Sven was one of the Greatest Cinematographers.... His range & style working with light/ film is quite Beautiful... Extraordinary
Article / Video about Sven:
https://wolfcrow.com/blog/understanding-cinematography-sven-nykvist/
DominikDUK
Well-known
The conformist directed by Bertolucci is another example as is the last emperor also by Bertolucci both film were shot in color but photography (color and light) is the main narrative tool as it is in most visually great movies.
Vargtimmen (the hour of the Wolf) Bergmann's only "Horror" Movie is another great example and was of course shot by Nykvist
Vargtimmen (the hour of the Wolf) Bergmann's only "Horror" Movie is another great example and was of course shot by Nykvist
colker
Well-known
Fermin(the martial arts muchacho) seems drawn right out of the Conformist btw. I have seen it long ago and have a fuzzy memory of this movie. I do remember the Last Emperor. Don´t you think Roma carries more weight on visuals as story telling?
colker
Well-known
Sure... but Bergman writes complex scenes of dialogue and acting. His scriptwritting is dense. Persona is very visual but acting carries the story. Those close on Persona are everything. Roma is about visual memory. No actor has even a close up during the scenes.