Abbi Howell
Battleship Potemkin
How does the film use color or light/dark to convey meaning? What shots
does the cinematography make effective use of?
Throughout Battleship Potemkin, there is lots variety relating to the contrast
and specific shot choices. Most of the shots include people being directed by Prince
Potemkin or interacting with their fellow men. The visuals of men on this ship are of
high contrast, which emphasizes their facial expressions and emotions. During
specific instances however, there is very little contrast between black and white in
the shots. For instance, when some of the men are eating, uplifting music is being
played and there is much less contrast in the shot. Along with this, a lot of mediumshots are used to incorporate the physical labor and interaction among the mass
group of men. Some close-ups are used also during these scenes of physical labor to
express emotion.
This differences in light and dark and contrast throughout the film emphasize
the wide range of extremes these men are facing under the control of Prince
Potemkin. A specific example of this is during the scene “Drama in the Harbour”,
when all the men are on the deck. There is a high angle shot of all of the men in
white and the officers and captains in black. This shot clearly illustrates the
distinction and differences of the roles these men play. All these techniques
illustrate the themes of authority and power. Both the usages of shots and the usage
of light and dark play significant roles in telling this story.