Analysis of a Scene in The Moulin Rouge

Cinematography is the art or technique of motion-picture photography. The Moulin Rouge is a visually striking film, which incorporates brilliant elements of cinematography. One scene in particular that captures the brilliance of the cinematographer is the scene within which the “Unconscious Argentinean” takes it upon himself to explain the situation with an incredible, tango, adaptation of The Police’s song “Roxanne.” The lighting and other elements of this are gorgeous, as they eloquently convey the dark emotions of the situation: “Jealousy, anger, betrayal.” The different elements of cinematography, specifically, color, lighting, and the use of camera angles, bring to life the emotions, and bigger than life feel to the scene.

The use of different colors in this scene enhance, if not create the mood and tone of the scene. Unambiguously, the use of the two colors, red and blue are used to represent different symbolic meanings, such as the stereotypical “Good and evil” or warmth and cold. As the scene begins, however, the color red is used to represent a sort of heated, lewd, lustful atmosphere that is running juxtaposed with anger and tension felt by both the main character Christian and the viewer, who is made to feel very aggravated at the fact that Saline is forced to finally “dine” with the Duke. Not only is the lighting and set done in tinges of red, but even the costume of the Argentinean consists of a red satin suit vest. As the scene progresses, and the tango begins, the female role of the dance is introduced under a blue tinted lighting insinuating a cold, bitter, indifference that seems almost sickening. Since the female role of the tango is meant to be a very symbolic role in itself, it is only appropriate that this ...

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...Also the high and low angles of Satine on the balcony and Christian down below not only orient the viewer in direct spatial context but it emphasizes the distance between Christian and Satine at this particular moment both physically and emotionally, it is this distance that they must overcome in order to bring about catharsis for the viewer. These camera angles attest to the adept skill of the cinematographer, the way that it affectively communicates the feelings and emotions, as well as the different aspects of magical realism imperceptibly laced into this larger than life film.

In conclusion, the elements of lighting, color, and camera angles, all work seamlessly together to create a visually “Spectacular” piece. This particular scene is a very emotional part of the film and the cinematography eloquently conveys the emotions of : “Jealousy, anger, betrayal.”