MovieChat Forums > Môjû Discussion > Light in the dark

Light in the dark

posted 20 years ago by charliewaterman66
5 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone find the use of lighting in the "dark" scenes to be unrealistic? The light didn't seem to be coming from anywhere, and was basically there as illumination for the viewer. Obviously, shooting the film in total darkness would not be possible...but should some sort of device been inserted into the set/story, such as a window or a crack in the wall, to allow for light to enter through?

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[–] world2you 20 years ago

I think it's pretty obvious that this form of lighting was the original intention. It hightens the expressions of the actors, as well as creating an off-putting atmosphere. Let's not forget that Cinema is not reality, and lighting (as well as music) can and should be used to enrich the experience.

Besides, it's one of my favorite things about the movie.

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] charliewaterman66 20 years ago

Yeah, the lighting in and of itself definitely wasn't bad. I agree there. Here's another question: was she able to see a little bit despite the darkness? When she initially enters the studio, she seems to be able to tell what stuff is if she comes close enough to it. If I remember correctly, she wasn't just touching it either. She was looking at it.

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[–] UncleBobMartin 19 years ago

spoiler warning

When Aki first comes to in the studio, there is a tight spot on our heroine, in an entirely black background, as the heroine mimes utter blindness (and quite well, too, Mako Midori does great things with this role). Then Michio snaps on a flashlight, which is presumably there, though not seen, in subsequent scenes. Tight, hot spots are used at that point, giving the scenes a "flashlight" ambience, but they are multiple spots, so you have light the color and intensity of a flash, but sourced ambiguously. That goes away bit by bit; you can't really tell when the first scenes without the flashlight are supposed to occur.

I'm fine with that, because learning late in the film that you've been watching scenes that, in the film's reality, have occured entirely in the dark, is a pretty cool revelation.

[–] Xcalat3 16 years ago

indeed very good and effective use of light

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