Ream more:
Yellow is said to be the brightest visible colour in the spectrum. What mood does the word bright ignite in your head? Yes, when you are immensely happy or hopeful, your face reflects that, right? But if you see less bright or faded yellow shades, does it evoke so much happiness or hope? No! This diversity makes yellow unique enough to evoke a wide range of positive to negative moods. The color yellow has some effects on happy hormones and hence it is closely associated with feelings of Happiness, Joy, hope, optimism, and imagination. But when it is faded, it tends to get associated with cowardice, betrayal, deceit and so on.
When we talk about film lighting, yellow is one of the most common lighting setups that’s used, especially for the night sequences. So every scene that we see in yellow might not have an in-depth meaning or it might not have. any metaphorical value to the underlying theme. But in certain moments, scenes play out better and effectively in such lighting setups. Readings related to such scenes/shots is upon the viewers’ subjectivity. Further reading is one such, and might not be filmmakers’ actual intention of depiction.
The moment in Eeda plays out when despite all their family rivalry over political stands, Ammu expresses her love for Anand and when he responds with a yes, she blushes. The scene takes place in a car, lights from streets and opposite vehicles lights up her face and the yellow light makes that moment of joy so vibrant adding in her joy. No other color would have magnified the mood better than the yellow light.
Similar is the case with Angamali Diaries, when Lichi expresses her feelings for Pepe, he’s taken aback for a couple of seconds and then he too soaks into the joy of the moment with which the yellows in the frame warmly blends in.
Akbar gets to spend some memorable moments with Isa, which whisks in happiness and joy. The warmth of the color soaks the viewer into these moments and the emotions of these characters.
Viju Prasad prepares himself and gains confidence in front of the vintage Hollywood mirrors, but the bulbs are imparting more confidence to his yellowish reflection. He is passing on the adrenaline rush to the audience.
Amen can be classified as a period movie which is also Utopian. This imposes limitations for the practical lighting setup. This could be the reason for the yellow lighting, but then again, there are several biblical references about yellow too. Even the candlelights are lit to depict the glory and divinity. This makes it apt for almost all the interior scenes in the movie. Also, when Father Ottaplakkan and Kapyaar Kochousepp are conspiring to destroy the old church, the faded shade of yellow enhances their cowardice, betrayal, and egoism.
Mayaanadhi plays out on emotions of trust, love, hope, optimism of its characters. It captures the spirits of Kochi nights dipped in a bit faded yellow and blends it so well with the emotions of characters. From the first meeting of Maathan and Appu in the film to the very last scene where Appu walks as she voices her thoughts, she’s optimistic, hopeful but at the same time, since it is faded yellow, it also evokes cold independent nature and a bit of deceit. She is that forlorn warrior whom we all can connect with, right?
Do let us know more about your favourite scenes/shots enhanced by yellow colour. What made them so special for you to remember?
He was institutionalised for 6yrs in a Film Institute, to forget about the 4yrs which an Engg college stole. Inveterate dreamer who dreams to utter Spielberg’s words, “I dream for a living.”
