Film language: use of film language in narrative cinema

Abstract

Film language is a method of narrative expression, which promotes the development of narrative and plot. Film languages are very important methods in filmmaking, when used properly they make a film successful. In this thesis, I explore three film languages – camera shots, moving cinematography, lighting and colour. They are all important methods that promote and express the film narrative. Filmmakers use these film languages, to give a film aesthetic value. I consider how filmmakers use film language to express the narrative of their films, based on film theories exploring the similarities and differences between two films and analysing six different films by different filmmakers in total. They include – TomTykwer’s Run Lola Run, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, Doze Niu’s Love, Wong Kar-­wai’s In the Mood for Love, and Peter Chan‘s Comrades: Almost a Love Story. My research shows that film languages are very important to filmmakers. When used properly, filmmakers make their audiences feel unexpected aesthetic enjoyment. Film languages are used to effectively promote or express the film narrative, which would otherwise be lost. As a filmmaker myself, this research has helped me to figure out film shooting and editing aspects in my own film projects.