Angela Schanelec is known for her attention to details in cinema, a trend particularly marked in her recent works. Unlike her early films where wide shots dominated, recent offerings like The Dreamed Path exhibit a pivot towards close-ups.
The change in cinematic style is apparent in Music, where Schanelec not only continues to focus on character details but also adapts Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. This interpretation is not just about characters in emotional contexts but pushes boundaries of light, costumes, and physiques.
Schanalec discusses her distinctive methods. When asked about music in films, she said it had a huge meaning for me… Music, and I kept it. It’s about the question of where music comes from—not in general, but where it can come from.
She spent over a year searching for the right composer before finding Doug Tielli, who created original pieces blending with Baroque music. This juxtaposition of old and new adds depth as characters rely on ancient tunes while evolving through their own contemporary music.
The Journey from Greece to Germany
The narrative begins in Greece and transitions to modern-day Berlin, mirroring the Oedipus myth’s original setting. This journey was facilitated by extensive location scouting, and Schanelec noted how familiar she was with Greek landscapes from previous projects.
Cinematic Contrast and Geopolitical Hues
Schanalec did not deliberately intend a political statement with the transition between rural Greece and urban Berlin. However, she acknowledges that geopolitical undertones naturally seep into the narrative. The jump from rural country to the city…
she says, highlights various societal dynamics that reflect broader European contexts.
Cinematic Emphasis on Reactions
One remarkable visual technique is her focus on reactions rather than actions. An example of this is when characters find a body. We first see their shocked faces before revealing what they are looking at, adding suspense and emphasizing emotional responses over actions.
The Importance of Wardrobe Details
Schanalec’s interest in visual storytelling extends to costume design as well. In a key prison scene, actors wear oversized platform shoes, intended to change their walk rather than shackle them with chains. This choice intensifies the mirror reflecting on restrictions through creative means.
Lizard Intrusions as Unexpected Magic
Schanalec frequently prepares extensively yet allows room for serendipitous moments during filming. This flexibility led to unexpected magical scenes like a lizard jumping onto an actor’s foot—an unscripted addition that brought an organic quality to an otherwise planned shoot.
The Atmospheric Elements
The opening sequence envelops viewers in a heavy fog landscape,a significant aesthetic element. Initially unintended, this natural phenomenon serendipitously provided an atmospheric shot capturing both mystery and beauty essential to the film’s tone.
Follow Us
