ARTH 334 Week5 Discussion 1

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University of Maryland, Baltimore *

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334

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Arts Humanities

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Oct 30, 2023

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ARTH 334 Week5 Discussion 1 This week I chose to watch a Neo Nior film from 1995 called Se7en. Se7en is a crime thriller movie released in 1995, directed by David Fincher. The film follows two detectives, William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt), as they hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motivation. The killer, John Doe (Kevin Spacey), commits a series of gruesome murders that are each inspired by one of the seven deadly sins. The detectives race against time to catch the killer before he completes his morbid masterpiece. The film has a dark and gritty atmosphere that explores themes of morality, justice, and the human condition. Comparing Se7en to The Stranger Se7en and The Stranger are both crime thrillers that explore the darker side of human nature. While Se7en focuses on the pursuit of a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as inspiration, The Stranger follows the story of a war criminal hiding in a small town, pursued by a federal agent. Both films feature complex characters with hidden motives and explore themes of morality, justice, and redemption. However, Se7en is a more visceral and intense film, with graphic scenes of violence and a bleak and nihilistic worldview, while The Stranger is a more traditional thriller with a simpler plot and a more optimistic outlook. Both films belong to the neo-noir genre and explore themes of crime, morality, and existentialism. The films Se7en and The Stranger, although produced in different periods, share similarities beyond their storylines.

In terms of color, one common aspect between Se7en and The Stranger is the use of symbolism. Both films utilize color to convey deeper meanings and enhance the overall narrative. In Se7en, color is used strategically to create an atmosphere of darkness and decay. This choice of color helps to create a sense of unease and despair throughout the film, emphasizing the bleakness and hopelessness that permeates its narrative. In The Stranger, color is not as prominent or explicitly used to convey mood and atmosphere; however, there are still instances where color contributes to the overall visual impact. In The Stranger, the color black and white are used to represent the contrast between innocence and evil. They also serve to create a sense of nostalgia and embody the film noir genre. One prominent use of color in Se7en is the recurring motif of muted and desaturated tones. The film predominantly utilizes a dark and gloomy color palette, with shades of gray, brown, and green dominating the overall visual aesthetic. For example, the majority of the scenes are set in rain-soaked streets and dimly- lit rooms, creating a sense of darkness and bleakness. In The Stranger, on the other hand, color is used more sparingly. Another significant use of color in Se7en is the contrast between light and darkness. This is evident in several key scenes, most notably during the climactic sequence in the final act where Detectives Somerset and Mills confront the killer in an abandoned area. The scene is lit with a harsh, dim yellow light that casts eerie shadows and heightens the tension. In contrast, The Stranger utilizes color in a different manner. In The Stranger, color is used to highlight the contrast between

innocence and evil. For instance, in a notable scene in The Stranger, the character of Mary Longstreet is shown in a white dress while she visits her father's grave. The white dress symbolizes her purity and innocence, while the dark surroundings represent the presence of evil and deception. Lighting used in The Stranger also plays a role in creating mood and atmosphere, but it is less focused on the manipulation of light and darkness as seen in Se7en. How does color play a part in the film you watched for this week? Color is undeniably an important element in Se7en, as it serves to enhance the film's atmosphere and convey deeper meanings. The use of color in Se7en is particularly effective in creating a dark and ominous mood throughout the film. Color is used strategically to create an atmosphere of darkness and decay. This choice of color helps to create a sense of unease and despair throughout the film, emphasizing the bleakness and hopelessness that permeates its narrative. Another significant use of color in Se7en is the contrast between light and darkness. This is evident in several key scenes, most notably during the climactic sequence in the final act where Detectives Somerset and Mills confront the killer in an abandoned area. The scene is lit with a harsh, dim yellow light that casts eerie shadows and heightens the tension. Additionally, the use of color symbolism. Color is used to highlight key elements such as the seven deadly sins that are effectively portrayed through color; each sin having its own distinct hue.

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