Ayden van As Grade 12.1
Film Study Research Essay:
Investigation into the use of costume design to represent characterisation in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge.
The use of costume design is a key element that is present in both Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. In both films, it is used to represent characterisation. The element of costume design symbolising the characterisation in both films will be discussed.
Sequences 6 (where Mercutio speaks to the Montague boys outside the Capulet Mansion) and 23 (where Juliet receives the potion from Friar Laurence) from Romeo and Juliet will be discussed, as well as sequences 4 (where the inside of the Moulin Rouge is first shown) and 28 (where Satine tells Christian she does not …show more content…
Not only does this tie in with the mutual feeling of hopelessness at the idea of having to lie to Christian about her true feelings, this choice in costume design is also in stark contrast to her outfits in other sequences of the film, which are shown to be very colourful, extravagant and free. The medium shots in this sequence are effective in showing the uncharacteristically dull and demure dress, and are used in conjunction with numerous eye-level, close-up shots of her face behind the veil that she wears. This, along with the metaphor of the bird trapped in a cage repeated many times in the film, paints a clear picture of the fact that Satine is not only trapped in this situation; she is trapped in the Moulin Rouge.
In conclusion, Baz Luhrmann has displayed an exceptional use of a combination of filmic techniques and costume design to represent characterisation in the films Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. The change in costume design in Juliet and Satine’s characters in the later parts of their respective films is notably well executed, as the inherent change in their characters because of their circumstances is strengthened by the deviation from their usual
Film Study Research Essay:
Investigation into the use of costume design to represent characterisation in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge.
The use of costume design is a key element that is present in both Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. In both films, it is used to represent characterisation. The element of costume design symbolising the characterisation in both films will be discussed.
Sequences 6 (where Mercutio speaks to the Montague boys outside the Capulet Mansion) and 23 (where Juliet receives the potion from Friar Laurence) from Romeo and Juliet will be discussed, as well as sequences 4 (where the inside of the Moulin Rouge is first shown) and 28 (where Satine tells Christian she does not …show more content…
Not only does this tie in with the mutual feeling of hopelessness at the idea of having to lie to Christian about her true feelings, this choice in costume design is also in stark contrast to her outfits in other sequences of the film, which are shown to be very colourful, extravagant and free. The medium shots in this sequence are effective in showing the uncharacteristically dull and demure dress, and are used in conjunction with numerous eye-level, close-up shots of her face behind the veil that she wears. This, along with the metaphor of the bird trapped in a cage repeated many times in the film, paints a clear picture of the fact that Satine is not only trapped in this situation; she is trapped in the Moulin Rouge.
In conclusion, Baz Luhrmann has displayed an exceptional use of a combination of filmic techniques and costume design to represent characterisation in the films Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge. The change in costume design in Juliet and Satine’s characters in the later parts of their respective films is notably well executed, as the inherent change in their characters because of their circumstances is strengthened by the deviation from their usual