Choose one of your favorite scenes from "Cleopatra" (1963) – one that we haven't discussed yet –, find a screenshot of this scene online or create your own. Explain how camera technique, angle, lightening, color and/or mise-en-scene support the mood or message of the scene.
ADDITIONAL NOTE:
Try to create your own New Post, rather than commenting on this post. Otherwise, you can't upload actual screenshots, and your links won't be hyperlinked. Remember to give your posts a TITLE and make sure your images aren't too big and that you've proofread your post! A good source of "Cleopatra" screen shots is http://movie-screencaps.com/cleopatra-1963/.
Everyone who has accepted my emailed invitation to become a co-author on this blog should be able to do this.
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene from Cleopatra is near the end when Antony rides up to the huge army, prepared to be killed. What makes this scene comical is that the whole army refuses to acknowledge him, so he rides around aimlessly before turning back and riding away. This scene reminds me of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the way its shot and the mise-en-scene which both show just how many people have turned against Antony. He rides up from way in the background, making him seem small and insignificant compared to the huge army before him. And then how the army doesn't step forward to help him and he rides in circles, lamely hitting them with his sword just to end up retreating, looking very dumb, without a scratch on him.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/06/13/article-0-00400DD900000258-851_468x408.jpg
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene from "Cleopatra" was when Marc Antony was wearing an undershirt signifying that he was vulnerable, and Cleopatra was wearing a green dress signifying permission to go ahead and greed. However Marc has the height advantage in this medium show with a high angle, allowing the side of both characters and the kiss the be seen clearly. They talk about being apart then they hold each other. Marc then says something similar to how he can never be farther from her than he his right now, when they are actually as close as they can get, this use of language and irony I found extremely interesting. It showed the audience a deep true love that Marc and Cleopatra shared through a "cheesy" and tender romantic scene. This scene was not original to the film "Cleopatra" as the same shot, characters, line and actions where shown in "Cabiria" which drew my attention to this scene even more.