Released in 2004, Ballet for Two tells us the story of an ordinary mother's extraordinary maternal love. Director Li Li left a deep impression on the audience through careful character shaping and clever use of montages, scenes and lenses. At the same time, with the cooperation of actors such as Xi Meijuan and Ni Ping, the film is more vivid and moving. A brief analysis of the artistic features of this film is made.
First, montage - to make the time and space of the film have unity, coherence and integrity
The use of narrative montages makes the film's plot complete and the characters stand out. When the mother in the film breaks the water tank that symbolizes feudal ideas after learning the news of her husband's death, the director emphasizes this matter through the use of montage. It is the director's use of narrative montages that allows the whole story to unfold, which attracts the audience and naturally triggers the audience's thinking.
The use of repetitive montages further highlights the character of the characters, emphasizes things, and is extremely contagious. The film uses repetitive montages when shooting the water tank, as if to tell the audience that the water tank has a special meaning. At the same time, when the mother swept the street, repeated montages were also used. It is obviously to show the length of time, thus showing the persistence and strength of the mother. It is precisely because the director uses the montage just right that the film is more distinctive and attractive, which is one of the reasons for the success of the film.
Second, the lens - so that the event has integrity, there is a strong sense of time and space realism
Push the lens, the camera gradually moves closer to the subject. The use of push shots is a major feature of this film. At the beginning of the film, the push shot is used very well, which directly explains to the audience the time and space background of the story. The clever use of push shots in the film many times gives the audience a sense of exploration, and plays a role in emphasizing the subject and enlarging the image, thus revealing the psychological activities and thoughts of the characters.
With the lens, the camera moves with the subject, remaining relatively still between the two. The use of follow-up shots makes the film more realistic, and at the same time further shows the inner activities of the characters. When Qi Xianxian took the train to the city to study, her mother watched the advancing train chase all the way. The clever use and lens here directly reveals a mother's reluctance and ardent expectation of her daughter, which is the so-called "mother's worry".
Third, the scene - to make the perspective of the film change, more real, more intimate, more dynamic
Close-up, the lower border of the picture is above the shoulders of the character or a local scene of things. The use of close-ups makes the film expressive, more able to reveal the essential purpose of things, and trigger the audience's thinking. In the film, when the mother is ready to leave the performance venue, the mother turns back. In this short moment, the director attracted the attention of the audience very well, and also showed the joy and memories of the mother.
In the middle scene, the lower border of the picture is above the knee of the character or part of the object. The mid-shot shows the relationship between the characters through their upper body movements and facial expressions. The mid-shot is used in many places in the film, which is very intimate. Especially when the mother and Qi Xianxian talked, the depth of the feelings between the two of them was highlighted, thus showing the selflessness and greatness of the mother's love.
There is one of the most beautiful voices in the world, and that is the call of the mother! Maternal love is the greatest, most selfless and powerful love in the world. Through such a story, the director staged a touching and profound story for us. However, when we look back and look down at how many people have weak affection, how many people have abandoned their affection for the sake of profit and fame. Motherly love is only once in a lifetime, cherish it well, you will benefit immensely.