Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Sophia Coppela

After watching three of Director Sophia Coppela's movies I found certain characteristics of her directing style that can be found in all of her movies. One of the most prominent thing in her movies is the music. In Marie Antoinette at first glance the music seems completely out of place in such an ornate period film. But as the movie progresses it becomes more apparent that though the songs appear both out of place and out of time, the lyrics and feeling of the song actually fit perfectly. Music is such a major part of her movies, they always seem to be able to convey what's happening in the film without having to have the characters say anything. These songs where not just picked because it's a popular song or just some ketchy tune. Each song is deliberate and has a meaning, it has a place in the movie, a specific place that would not work else where in the film. Music is a major piece in all of her movies, if you deleted the soundtrack you would have a completely different experience. Another common thing among Sophia Coppela's films are the subject matter, directly comparing The Bling Ring with Marie Antoinette, we see a close up into over the top luxurious life styles and the want to be a part for them. In both of these movies the main characters are not normally seen as the best people. While she let's you make your own judgment on these people she does try to humanize them as she exposes their wrong doing, almost trying to explain to us why the moth is exposed to the flame. She reminds us that we the viewer are also attracted to the same type of lifestyle, that we have the same wants as these people other wise we wouldn't be watching or interested in the subject matter. But she always shoes the danger of it and the price people pay for living like that, whether is be loosing a head or spending the rest of your days in prison. Color is another aspect of Sophia Coppela's movies that really stand out. The clothes pop and catch your eye in a way that demands your attention, you have no choice in the matter you have to look at me, is what they seem to say. Jewelry in her movies seem to have their own lighting crew with they shine and sparkle reminding you just how good these people have things, at least for now.  The colors used in her movies are carefully planned out and seem to give things more depth and helps to set the mood for certain scenes. More often then not they are used to emphasize someone's beauty and how important they are to a scene. All of these things combined; color, subject matter and music, are all things that can be indetified as directing traits of Sophia Coppela and are what give her movies that unqiue and distinct feeling and taste.  
     

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