Andrew Cantwell
Man of Aran Essay Cinematography
Robert Greene
The people on the Islands of Aran undergo intense tasks in order to survive within the harsh atmosphere. The use of cinematography greatly enhances the viewersexperience throughout this film. The style in which it is shot vividly portrays the great struggle between humanity and nature. It is an immensely beautiful naturalistic film that really puts spectators right beside the characters.
The reputation of the island is enhanced by the choice of cinematography. Flaherty did a masterful job capturing the terrorizing magnificence of this landscape, at once beautiful and brutal.The camera effectively captures over-powering waves crashing into the sides of the coast and at times wiping out some of the workers. These images make one aware of the overwhelming power the ocean has. The camera emphasizes that the water and the environment are clearly the bosses. The audience consistently sees some of the locals struggling with the conditions of the environment. When the people walk along the coast, they trip and struggle with the treacherous terrain. Simultaneously, one feels that mankind wins the battle because there is always help provided and teamwork present in times of struggle. More so, there were predominately many shots that juxtaposed humans in a way where nature reigns superior. Specifically the framing and the frequent use of wide shots help amplify the power of nature in the film. For example, there is a distant wide shot of two workers walking next to a massive boulder on the coast. The angle makes the humans look petite and fragile. The ruggedness and unforgiving landscape is one that does not look livable, but when paired with civilization it provides a visually intriguing image. Another example is a slow panning landscape shot where the camera ends focused on the houses of the small town. There are few and the surroundings are scarce and desolate. The way this is shot made me feel bad for...