Introduction
“Malni—Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore”, directed by Sky Hopinka, is a film that requires viewing and examines the relationship between identity, memory, and land through the experiences of two Indigenous people. The journey of Sweetwater Sahme and Jordan Mercier as they reconnect with their roots, customs, and the Columbia River is depicted in the movie. The narrative is presented in Chinuk Wawa, and the film is shot non-linearly with soundscapes, silence, and narration (Hopinka). The movie’s narrative structure and visual components made it an engrossing and thought-provoking experience.
Film Analysis
The 2020 movie “Malni—Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore” used several film-style components covered in the lecture. These components consist of the following.
Film-Style Components
Mise-en-Scene
The film’s use of natural lighting, set design, and costumes all contributed to the overall mood and tone of the picture while enhancing its authenticity. For instance, the use of traditional attire and the warm, orange tones of the sunset both contributed to a sense of serenity and a connection to nature.
Close-ups and handheld camera work highlight the characters’ emotions and movements in the film’s cinematography. The camera also captures the environment’s natural beauty, contributing to the portrayal of the characters’ ties to the land.
Editing
Structure
Silence and the non-linear structure aided the film’s emotional impact. The film’s non-linear structure gave the audience a fresh perspective on the characters’ journeys and highlighted their feelings for and connections to their surroundings. The film jumps back and forth in time, creating a sense of disorientation and confusion.
Silence
The use of silence gave viewers a chance to reflect on the characters’ feelings and experiences. It also contributed to the movie’s meditative and reflective mood. The film has several scenes with no dialogue; the only sounds are those of nature. Silence creates a sense of stillness and contemplation, enhancing the film’s overall tone and message.
Jump Cuts
The editing’s jump cuts and cross-cuts influence the film’s emotional impact. Jump cuts are frequently used to highlight a specific moment or action and to give the impression of discontinuity. Jump cuts emphasize the characters’ emotional states and create a sense of urgency in “Malni—Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore.”
Cross Cuts
Contrarily, cross-cuts are employed to develop a parallel story. Cross-cuts in the movie depict the characters’ ties to the natural world and their sense of cultural identity. For instance, several scenes in the movie show the characters engaging in nature or performing rituals. These scenes are intercut with others depicting the characters’ daily lives.
Stylistic Components
Regarding the movie’s stylistic components, I want to emphasize the variety of deliberate decisions the filmmakers made that enhanced the picture’s overall impact. These options consist of the following.
Natural Lighting
Natural lighting furthered the movie’s authenticity, creating a sense of place and time. For instance, the sunset’s warm, orange tones evoked a sense of comfort and tranquility.
Close-Ups
By allowing the audience to see characters’ expressions and movements, they highlight characters’ feelings and their connection to the environment. Chinuk Wawa language: Using the mother language enhanced the film’s authenticity and gave viewers a better understanding of the history and culture of the Indigenous communities. The poetic, evocative narration heightened the film’s emotional impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear from the movie and the lecture on film style that the filmmakers employed various techniques to convey their message and evoke strong feelings in the audience. The film’s precise and accurate depiction of the characters’ relationship with nature and their sense of cultural identity was achieved through mise-en-scene, cinematography, and editing. The filmmakers effectively conveyed the characters’ emotions and experiences through deliberate choices such as natural lighting, close-ups, and non-linear editing. This serves as a reminder of the significance of each film style component and the various ways they can be used to engage the audience emotionally and convey meaning.
Works Cited
Malni—Towards the Ocean, Towards the Shore. Directed by Sky Hopinka, Grasshopper Film, 2020.