How does a black and white film affect the subject of racism? Does it make it more pronounced? Is the viewer impacted by the dark and light scenes throughout a movie? Do the gray areas become a transition between black and white?
Although in the film industry no color is truly black and no color is truly white, we as viewers only see those two colors. But my focus is mainly on the themes and how a black/white version of the film affects perspective.
Two examples come to mind: Boo Radley hidden from society and Tom Robinson accused of raping a white girl. Had the film been in technicolor, would the Radley place look so bleak? Would Boo’s character have been as mysterious? How would Mayella’s appearance been affected with the use of technicolor? Would she have looked just as grubby? Are Tom Robinson’s expressions while on the stand, more or less emotional in black and white film?
I’m a big fan of black and white films. I believe that a director is highly challenged when working with this type of film. He or she must choose the shots that focus on the features of a particular character or scene to emphasize elements of the plot. What are your thoughts? Black/white or technicolor? Which do you favor? ~~LMM
Movies and Films 