Introduction to lighting in Vengeance is mine

Vengeance is Mine

Vengeance is Mine has a unique lighting style, which makes it different from many other films. The film seems to sacrifice some of the clarity which comes from being able to see things clearly and brightly on screen in favour of a realistic style. Scenes in Vengeance is mine tend to be lit in a way which echoes the inadequately lit conditions of real life. (This is not to the same extreme as some of his earlier films, such as The Insect Woman, however and is therefore more watchable as a result) Rooms sometimes feel quite dimly lit, many of the scenes take place under sunlight and, when indoors, characters facial features come in and out of light. This is done in a fairly flat way however, not in such an extreme way as to draw attention to itself like it does in Film Noir or expressionism. The acting is left to do most of the work and the audience are left with an emotionless detachment from what is happening. The lighting will often be in the same style for a violent murder scene as it is during a scene of mundane everyday chit chat.