Films with interesting lighting

[Eonas]

What films exist where the use of lighting, shadowplay, and chiascuro is very interesting, moody, and unique? I'm especially looking for films in the neo-expressionist vein. For instance, films in the style of what I'm looking for are Sin City, the Hour of the Wolf, the Third Man, and (to a slightly lesser extent, in my opinion) Blade Runner.

To be clear: I'm not just looking for films with moody/dark cinematography (because those are basically a dime a dozen). I'm looking for films in which the contrast between light and dark is, in itself, fascinating and unique.

I've shared some examples of the kind of thing I'm looking for, taken from the films I've listed above.
http://chucksconnection.com/sincity/sincity03.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Becky-Sin_City.jpg http://wallpoper.com/images/00/40/81/37/sin-city_00408137.png https://lisathatcher.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/hour-of-the-wolf.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBWfg9Gp1J0/T_Uoj8aB39I/AAAAAAAABog/LaHCTT7_CGw/s320/vlcsnap-2012-07-05-00h32m58s30.png http://www.moviesteve.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/carolreed_thethirdman_11.jpg http://41.media.tumblr.com/a8287ca3c9476c6a065c145ddaaffe85/tumblr_mwza2zIfyG1riy8svo6_540.jpg http://www.itsvery.net/blade-runner-pictures/blade-runner-009-rachel.jpg http://www.7dlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/jordan-cronenweth-lighting-Blade-Runner1.jpg

I've heard that Night of the Hunter, Citizen Kane, and Persona are other films in this vein. Anything else? Thanks in advance.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Are you very familiar with classic film noir? Because this is a hallmark of the genre. (I do see you've mentioned The Third Man, for instance.)

[Eonas]

Familiar with Film Noir, not hugely familiar yet. I've seen several of the classics (Double Indemnity, Kiss me Deadly, for instance) but none of the visuals in them really struck me, not in the way that the visuals of the Third Man did. Going through a quick Google Images search indicates that they did look better than I'd remembered them, though.

Which film noirs should I be watching that have particularly good shadowplay, then?

[Brother Oni]

Would Skyfall count, or isn't it the sort of thing you're looking for?

[Eonas]

I dunno. I saw the first fourty-five minutes of Skyfall and vaguely remember the lighting to be relatively interesting, but again, nothing hugely eyepopping. At least, not as far as I can remember among the first fourty-five minutes.

[LokeyITP]

Skyfall has great cinematography full stop. Does some minorly interesting things with lighting palette and silhouette, but wouldn't go so far as to say it's Ang Lee or something.

On that note, Hero. Maybe Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers, but probably Hero. On second thought that's color palette again, not lighting per se. It'll need some more thought.

[JoshL]

You've already mentioned Hour of the Wolf and Persona, so you've clued into Bergman already! Fritz Lang is a good next step, and M is a must-see. More color than contrast, but you might dig Argento (the opening of Susperia is astounding). Lars Von Trier can be hard to take, but Element of Crime will be right up your alley (neo-noir meets art film). Enter the Void does some really amazing things with light too. I'm sure I'll think of more!

[Lethologica]

Familiar with Film Noir, not hugely familiar yet. I've seen several of the classics (Double Indemnity, Kiss me Deadly, for instance) but none of the visuals in them really struck me, not in the way that the visuals of the Third Man did. Going through a quick Google Images search indicates that they did look better than I'd remembered them, though.

Which film noirs should I be watching that have particularly good shadowplay, then?
The Big Sleep has more shadows than I remember seeing in Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon. Thaaaaat exhausts my knowledge of film noir.

Serial Experiments Lain has the most interesting shadows of any anime that I recall, albeit the medium's not exactly known for them.

[Brother Oni]

I dunno. I saw the first fourty-five minutes of Skyfall and vaguely remember the lighting to be relatively interesting, but again, nothing hugely eyepopping. At least, not as far as I can remember among the first fourty-five minutes.

I suggest finishing watching Skyfall as 45 minutes is only 1/3 of the way into the film and I don't think Bond's reached Shanghai (https://iankennedy22.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/bond-silhouette.jpg) or Macau (http://www.rotolight.com/wp-content/uploads/skyfall_webbanner.jpg) yet.

[Eonas]

Skyfall has great cinematography full stop. Does some minorly interesting things with lighting palette and silhouette, but wouldn't go so far as to say it's Ang Lee or something.

On that note, Hero. Maybe Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers, but probably Hero. On second thought that's color palette again, not lighting per se. It'll need some more thought.

I love palette-based cinematography, but yeah, films like those are fairly common.


You've already mentioned Hour of the Wolf and Persona, so you've clued into Bergman already! Fritz Lang is a good next step, and M is a must-see. More color than contrast, but you might dig Argento (the opening of Susperia is astounding). Lars Von Trier can be hard to take, but Element of Crime will be right up your alley (neo-noir meets art film). Enter the Void does some really amazing things with light too. I'm sure I'll think of more!

Well, I've seen Metropolis and M. I liked M, loved Metropolis, but not because of the shadowplay in either one. I don't really remember any of the shots having particularly stunning lighting (although the imagery, whoof. The imagery was something else). One or two really great shots, perhaps?
I do dig Argento, and you're right, the opening of Suspiria is kind of the sort of thing I'm looking for.
Hmm. I might give Lars Von Trier another shot then. I do remember the opening of Antichrist to be absolutely stunning.
Oo! I've been meaning to watch Enter the Void. Another reason to do so, then.


The Big Sleep has more shadows than I remember seeing in Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon. Thaaaaat exhausts my knowledge of film noir.

Serial Experiments Lain has the most interesting shadows of any anime that I recall, albeit the medium's not exactly known for them.

Thanks for the recommendations.


I suggest finishing watching Skyfall as 45 minutes is only 1/3 of the way into the film and I don't think Bond's reached Shanghai (https://iankennedy22.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/bond-silhouette.jpg) or Macau (http://www.rotolight.com/wp-content/uploads/skyfall_webbanner.jpg) yet.

Oo, that's pretty. I think he did reach Shanghai, but I turned it off shortly after due to fatigue. I guess I'll have to finish the film then, eh?

[veti]

Investigate the work of Stanley Kubrick. Paths of Glory is a particularly fine example. Also Dr Strangelove and A Clockwork Orange.

https://filmgrab.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/4417.jpg?w=767


To a lesser extent, Alfred Hitchcock also made a name for this kind of technique. Rear Window may be the best example.

Most of the canon of both these directors will show what I think you're looking for.