Hi! Here is Alethea, the person who is studying European Cinema will discuss with you about the the aesthetic phenomenon that Rosetta creates in first person’s angle. Dardenne brothers’ Rosetta is a famous film had won the gold palm in the 52nd Cannes Film festival, also is known for its unique narration and camera presentation. At present, Chinese audience’s evaluation of it emerges to extreme trend —— an extraordinary expression of a tragic autobiographical film, or a generally tasteless daily account on poverty status. Therefore, we will analysis the aesthetic core in a piece of this film by breaking the influence of appearance.
Introduction of The Scene
Aesthetic of Rosetta
1. The function of extreme close-up shot
Generally, the frame of cinematography has been classified into multiple ways, such as medium shot, POV etc. however, the most typical feature of Rosetta is the extensive use of extreme close-up shots, and the camera rarely capture elements other than her. Rosetta’s word is as a bottomless lake, when the audience when the audience tries to explore, it has a powerful inner explosive force that makes you suffocate with Rosetta in her life. The camera establishes a close relationship with audiences in a way closes to violently, which keeps the onside world out except Rosetta to compel audiences into a story without explanation and indication (Park, 2012). Therefore, audience can purely receives information from the protagonist Rosetta, they can not help substituting themselves into the role of Rosetta after being a long time of adaptation, in other words, Rosetta herself is the medium and noumenon of the story, which protects the authenticity of the film largely. It results the main tone that makes people feel be with her and slightly behind her in the same time, a rhythm that difficult to grasp but artful (Park, 2012).
Due to a great number of extreme close-up shots are used to allow the audience become closer to the character and her inner world in the visual experience, some activities that can hardly be expressed with words or props can arouse the sympathy of the audience, formulate the scene and the plot have a better resonance. For instance, Pabeni (2007) discussed that because of the limitation of the influence on the description of mind, many delicate feelings are more approachable to express in words than in images, but Rosetta still authorize the audience resonate when she fell down with the gas tank, which seemed to be the overwhelming burden of her life.
2. Different sensory organs for ways of telling a story
Compared with other films that rely on sound effects and music matching with frames to sublimate atmosphere, the Rosetta can be thought to be the sound and frames separating from each other to brought about by the impact. Nevertheless, other than considering it separate the influence of sound and frame, it is better to say that Rosetta uses another way to force them cooperate. In the shot of Rosetta returns home with the noisy hum of motorcycles, the close-up shot is in contrast to the sound effect in the distance which expands the space. When the audiences’ sights are limited on Rosetta and can merely keep the sound of Riquet’s motorcycle, they became individuals who simulated Rosetta’s situation —— holding the tank, being embarrassed by Riquet. Therefore, under the premise that audiences are used to substituting Rosetta and having the first perspective, the simplest sound provides the most hierarchical expression on the contrary.
3. Setting about the wardrobe
There is a regulation in Rosetta’s life: when places in outside, she will be in the coat in black and red, which shows aggressive and strong personality; when back to the camp, she changes her suit in a light green vest and a blue towel, which is softer and with protective elements. However, in the scene that she prepare to suicide, she is still in the black and red coat. In the audience’s subconscious will be aware of her change, but not too obvious that break the plot. Additionally, it indicates that Rosetta’s attitude has converted before she determines to die, the concept of home and hope has disappeared as ashes as outside world.
4. Setting about the relationship between Rosetta and Riquet
According to the tone of the film, romantic love apparently does not belong to any brach line. Thus, Adi (2006) suspected that the reason for choosing a man to have rival show with Rosetta is to contrast her as a girl who has gone through too many hardships that grows powerful spirit. Until she fell with the gas tank that she accumulated feelings explore under the broken appearance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after appreciating the aesthetic of frame, sound, wardrobe and analysis of relationship, Rosetta is a film with new impression which is formed by simple methods. Perhaps not every scene is carefully designed and calculated, but it was a bold attempt and leap forward innovation during that time. It is depressive, fuliginous and without covering anything unbearable, writes the life of Rosetta into your soul.
Reference
Adi (2006 May 26). Not only the hopeless —— Rosetta. [Web log post]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.douban.com/doubanapp/dispatch/review/1047668?dt_dapp=1
Pabeni (2007 January 26). Rosetta —— the problem of living with dignity. [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.douban.com/doubanapp/dispatch/review/1116358?dt_dapp=1
Park, E, J. (2012). The politics of friendship and paternity: The dardenne brothers’ Rosetta.Studies in French Cinema, 12(2), 137–149. doi: 10.1386/sfc.12.2.137_1
