SSC Film Studies

Amadeus

throughout the clip Amadeus (Mozart) is compared to god in numerous ways in complete contrast to him Salieri is represented as satanic throughout the clip, this is shown through the use of Mise-en-scene (costume) where Salieri and all his supporters; opposers of Mozart are wearing black and red symbolic of the devil and hell giving connotations that they are dark; sinister and bitter of Mozarts talent. The use of costume emphasises Mozarts god like status as all his 'supporters' are seen behind him wearing white and yellow; symbolic colours of god this juxtaposition of colours and costume connotes the rivalry between Amadeus and Salieri. The use of Mise-en-scene further represents Amadeus as a godlike figure; "god was singing through this little man"  the voice of god whether that be a priest or god himself is seen to be 'dulling out forgiveness' through the use of his music this is further represented by the positioning of the candles in-front of Mozart giving the scene an alter/church type feel. Seeing the stage from an spectator/audience members POV(point of view)  the shot is wide, and very well lit; the whites golds and yellow overpower the shot giving the impression that the audience are being captivated by the performance achieving a sense of 'enlightenment' further enforcing Amadeus holy like status. The sense of captivation is given further when the camera begins to track forward, literally being drawn towards the light and the stage. Salieri view of the stage is seen quite different; from a high angle the stage looks smaller than it actually is unlike the audiences perspective Salieri view is much more sinister; the frame being narrowed you see things from his view; this is a signifier of how his brain works and suggestion that his views are narrow minded. you're able to see the red curtains and shadows off stage,  further representing negativity and the darkness he radiates.
The same shot further shows his importance through the use of foreground and background the crowd behind his is blurred out drawing all our attention to Amadeus emphasising his significance/role as a descendant/voice of god further being shown through the use of shot type; low angle this makes Mozart look bigger and even more powerful, being centre shot you are even further forced to recognised his importance and power over the performance. The high key lighting is also used as a signifier; being surrounded in light he is seen as pure and divine. Supporting the statement that Mozart and Salieri are polar opposites of each other all the shots of Salieri on his own, he is surrounded and enshrouded by darkness, reds and blacks.
- emperor
-body language/acting