The Mise-en-Scene in the Film Marie Antoinette Directed by Sofia Coppola

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“Marie Antoinette” (2006) directed by Sofia Coppola is a drama/comedy, that is centered on the life of the notorious Queen of France, in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Coppola’s film style was very modern avant garde. The film focuses on Antoinette point of view throughout all her adventures and difficulties. She was the character with whom the viewer identified with the most, her observation were the most important (aside from the audience). Therefore there were many close ups and high lighting on her. The film also invokes the lesson that luxuries is not everything that it will not make you completely happy, which makes the audience feel somewhat sympathetic towards the queen. Coppola successfully achieves to use beautiful and extravagant cinematography to tell the story of the late Marie Antoinette. The mise-en-scene of the film that will be discussed is setting, costume, lighting and figure behavior.
The film had stunning scenery and beautiful interior designs of the palace in which Antoinette lived. Coppola used over the top props and furniture’s to show the life of glitz and glamour that Marie Antoinette lived in. The production crew was given unprecedented access to the Palace of Versailles which is where it takes place. This also gave the film authenticity and realism, making it easier for the audience to get a better look into the life of Marie Antoinette and the courtiers of that time. The director used many pastels, bright pinks and blues in its backgrounds in the beginning of the film to show Antoinette’s innocence but as it progressed the colors went darker to show a sign of maturity. Even though the film is set in Versailles, some scenes were taken in various locations around France. This kept the au...

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... and into the role of a Queen, she becomes more reserved, her actions more controlled and less flighty. She has a grace to her movements that are not present in her younger self they are more fluid and less awkward. In terms of the sound aspect, Marie Antoinette’s speech also changes with age. In the beginning, she is excitable and throws her words around carelessly. As she grows, however, she chooses her words more carefully, and is more soft-spoken. The contribution of all these factors made the film stand out in cinematic aspects.
Overall Coppolas did an exceptional job in telling the story of Marie Antoinette’s life before the French revolution through its mise-en-scene. The film had amazing setting, costume, lighting and change of figure behavior. Everything from beginning to end was very appealing to the eyes. The film was very entertaining and fun to watch.

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