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Mise-en-Scene

Mise–en–scene references the staging and composition of a scene. Elements of mise-en-scene include the setting, decor, lighting, depth of space, costumes/makeup, camerawork et cetera. Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge (2001) and Zhang Yimou’s Hero (2002) provide fantastic examples of scene composition through every element. However, setting and costumes will be the only elements discussed.

Setting refers to time, place and location of a scene. Moulin Rouge has an abundance of beautiful scenery. When Christian visited the Moulin Rouge for the first time, the setting was used to display the magic of theatrical performance. The movement of the dancers and their positions sold the fact that they were self-proclaimed creatures of the underworld. In reference to editing, the scene can be juxtaposed with another scene from the movie The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941). Both movies present figures that identify with the underworld as dancing in a quick and unearthly manner.

Christian (Left) reclaiming his love with Satine (Right). 

Hero also comes armed with an array of mesmerizing and purposeful scenery. Throughout the movie, the camera brings the viewer back to the present conversation between Nameless and the Qin king. The scene is minimal but very purposeful. The army of candles the separate the two men provide visual clues about Nameless’ mission objective. Another scene beautifully frames the fabricated conflict between Flying Snow and Moon — Broken Sword’s servant. The yellow leaves gracefully surround the two as they fight. Once Moon is dealt a fatal blow, the leaves turn red like their clothing. Lastly, in a manufactured fight between Nameless and Broken Sword, they dance across a lake with their blades seeming to channel the kinesis, grace and elegance of a crane. Having the actors be compared to the revered animal is most likely a detail Yimou purposefully directed. The crane is the second most honored bird in Chinese culture only second to the Phoenix.

Nameless (Left) accepting his reward from the Qin king (Right).

Moon's last gaze upon Flying Snow before her death.

Broken Sword (Left) and Nameless (Right) fighting on water. 

Costumes are also an important aspect of mise-en-scene. Costumes possess the ability to present information about the characters wearing them as well as the setting before a viewer is formally introduced. In the case for Moulin Rouge, the costumes designed by Catherine Martine and Angus Strathie introduce the main characters wonderfully. The main characters Satine — Nicole Kidman — and Christian — Ewan McGregor — wear costumes that show off their personalities, financial wellbeing, and social status. Satine’s clothes revealed her desire for a luxurious and eventful life. Her clothes also foreshadowed her material nature as was also conveyed by the first song she sings Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Christians clothing was typically humble in nature since he was a penniless writer looking for love.

Christian writing the story of the Moulin Rouge.

Satine performing Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend.

Video: Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

In the case for Hero, the costumes designed by Emi Wada were color-centric and worked in tandem with the matching movie sets. The different colored costumes were used to distinguish between variants of Nameless’ — Jet Li — story of triumph against the famed assassins Sky, Flying Snow and Broken Sword. The main colors used were black, red, blue, white, and green. Black distinguished the present time from the past as well as fabricated events. It also symbolizes the power of the Qin empire. Red represented past events that were made up by Nameless to gain the trust of the Qin king. Red also represents Nameless’ murderous intent directed toward the Qin king. Blue signified the king’s version of the story knowing that Nameless’ tale held no truth. White represents the whole truth and doubles as the Chinese color of mourning to honor the deaths of Flying Snow and Broken Sword. Green was used as a part of Broken Sword’s past encounter with the king. Broken Sword, unlike the other characters, believed that the Qin king had the power to bring balance to ununified China. Chinese symbology identifies green as the color of balance, harmony and benevolence.   

The Qin king being surrounded by his court. 

The Zhao calligraphy school under attack by the Qin king's army

Nameless (Middle) showing his swordsmanship skills to Broken Sword (Left) and Flying Snow (Right).

Flying Snow (Right) crying over the death of Broken Sword (Left).

The Qin king (Middle) yielding helplessly to Broken Sword (Right). 

In conclusion, mise-en-scene is an important aspect of film that encompasses all the elements that control the atmosphere of a film. Each element contains encoded information for the viewer to interpret and decode. A key role of mise-en-scene is to create a sense of naturalness for the pleasure of the viewer.

Sources

Barsam, R. M., & Monahan, D. (2016). Looking at movies: An introduction to film (5th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

IMDb. (n.d.). Hero. Retrieved February 05, 2019, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

IMDb. (n.d.). Moulin Rouge! Retrieved February 05, 2019, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/fullcredits

Gehrmann, V. (n.d.). Symbolism of Colors, Asscociations of The Five Elements in Chinese Beliefs and Feng Shui. Retrieved February 05, 2019, from https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/colours.htm

McGrail, L. (2018, July 03). 5 Essential Elements of Successful Mise en Scène in Film. Retrieved February 05, 2019, from https://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/mise-en-scene-in-film-afk

Nazmial Antique Rugs. (2018, September 13). Cranes in Chinese Art | Chinese Crane Significance Symbolism & Meaning. Retrieved February 05, 2019, from https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/blog/cranes-chinese-art-symbol-meaning/