Frames Beyond Words

One might watch a film simply for entertainment, yet sometimes, something deeper takes hold. A film can captivate not just through its story, but through its exquisite use of light, color, and composition, which is cinematography. These films paint frames that linger in the mind for a long time. Here is a closer look at four visually stunning works that reveal the transformative power of cinema.

In The Mood for Love

Undoubtedly one of the most delicate and aching portrayals of romantic longing and solitude ever committed to film. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the film, which is directed by Wong Kar-Wai, follows two neighbours who form a delicate bond after discovering their spouses are having an affair. The cinematography, crafted by Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bing, is a poem of saturated reds and deep greens, of narrow hallways and reflections, of slow motion that stretches time like memory. It is such a difficult thing to attempt to explain a film, especially such a visual work. One cannot express in word how beautiful Wong Kar-Wai’s symphony of unspoken love, together with Shigeru Umebayashi’s astounding piece, Yumeji’s Theme.

The Fall

Shot across more than 20 countries, The Fall, directed by Tarsem Singh, is a feast of breathtaking imagery. Colin Watkinson’s cinematography is entirely shot without the use of CGI. Each scene is a tapestry that is richly colored and composed with architectural precision. From the city of Jodhpur to the Great Wall of China, the film turns the world into a dreamscape. It’s storytelling through sheer spectacle, just remarkable.

Color of Pomegranates

Cinema as a tribute to poetry. Directed by Sergei Parajanov, Color of Pomegranates is an homage to the life of Armenian poet and musician Sayat-Nova. With its stunning and extraordinary visuals thanks to Suren Shakhbazyan, the film is a whole experience that asks the question again ‘What is art and what is it for?’ There is no term in the dictionary that could explain the feelings I had when I first watched this masterpiece. It is a reminder of what art can be and why we turn into it.

Marie Antoinette

Released the same year as The Fall, Marie Antoinette is one of the most visually satisfactory films ever made with its pretty costumes and composition. Sofia Coppola’s third feature-length film, Marie Antoinette is a visual experience as much as it is a historical reimagining. Lance Acord’s cinematography brings out the candy-colored richness of costumes, pastries, and palace halls. The color scheme leans heavily into pastels such as pale pinks, blues, creams, which evoke both Rococo art and a sense of delicacy. With its incredible soundtrack and lush visuals, the film is a collage of mood and atmosphere.