Discussion of Scene Realism In "We Are the Best".

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Discussion of Scene Realism In "We Are the Best"(2013).

What makes it feel like the characters belong in the particular setting? Is this even important?
A film by Lukas Moodysson, "We Are the Best", shows that providing the right atmosphere can achieve a sense of historic authenticity within its virtual film world.

Characters wearing clothes representing the 1980s youth of Sweden.

Scenic and Atmospheric Realism:

As the film plays out, one with a reasonable mind of knowing what modern Sweden looks like nowadays would hopefully pick up a vintage theme on the characters and the world surrounding them before the film ends. It feels like wherever the characters go from place to place it still feels the same without feeling that one atmospherically dominates the other. As opposed to some TV programs or shows, there is a sense of an outside space from the frames where they could move about from room to room and not lose the continuity of the vintage atmosphere. From clothing to cars to the food the characters eat, everything feels like it's in the right place as if the picture frames were into another dimension of time - in the 1980's.  

Attention to detail in costume design and props are crucial to set the atmosphere.

"The most prominent vehicle for cinematic realism, [] is the scenic realism of the mise-en-scene, which enables us to recognise sets and settings as accurate evocations of actual places." (Corrigan and White 2012. p.71)

Corrigan and White simply states that the overall realism of the viewing experience can be achieved with the use of correct props, costume, makeup, etc. We as the audience can associate certain objects or acting distinctive to a certain place or time period. 

Lighting can be one of those effects to further enhance the visual realism.

For example, the picture above has a certain lighting effect that works quite well with the time period of the setting. Dim with an orange colour-like tint, it shows that the film markers were going for the effect of old light bulbs rather than modern well-lit ones which has better colour vibrancy for the room.  

Film Objects and Real-World Objects:

Does today's youth dress like this?

Mohawks, baggy shirts, bright red-coloured jeans; would young girls today be expected to dress like the girls in "We Are the Best"? Film makers that are making films set in a different time period must take inconsideration of the real world versus the one they are trying to create. It may ruin the historic authenticity of the film if, for example, the main character is holding a modern consumer product or if the car that is being shown is clearly not from the era. Audiences, with or without, familiarity of the time period or place should able to tell (sometimes objectively) if something is negatively interfering with their enjoyment of the film regarding with objects or the acting.

References:

Book: Corrigan, T,. P, White,. (2012). The Film Experience: An Introduction. Boston. Bedford/St.Martins.

Film: Moodysson, L. (Director). (2013). We Are the Best. [motion picture]. Sweden: Film i Väst, Memfis Film.

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