Director: Lars von Trier
Cinematographer: Robby Müller, NSC, BVK
Genre: Musical Drama
Runtime: 140 minutes
Camera: 100 stationary digital cameras for musical numbers
Format: Digital Video (DV)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic)
Additional: Sony PD-150 DV cameras
Lenses: Standard DV lenses
Style: Documentary realism vs. musical fantasy
Color Palette: Desaturated reality, vibrant musical sequences
Lighting: Natural lighting with selective enhancement
Movement: Static cameras for musical numbers
Robby Müller's Philosophy: Legendary cinematographer (Paris, Texas, Dead Man) who embraced digital technology to create von Trier's unique vision of contrasting realism with musical fantasy.
Key Techniques:
Approach: Minimal artificial lighting, embracing digital video's low-light capabilities and natural sources to maintain documentary authenticity.
Key Lighting Strategies:
Setup: Multiple stationary cameras
Lighting: Natural outdoor lighting
Purpose: Escape from harsh reality into musical fantasy
Setup: 100 cameras positioned around set
Lighting: Available daylight
Purpose: Surveillance-style coverage of choreography
Setup: Industrial setting with multiple cameras
Lighting: Practical factory lighting
Purpose: Transforming mundane work into musical expression
For Musical Sequences:
For Dramatic Scenes: