Idea #82 - Framing in In The Mood For Love

In the Mood for Love is one of the finest films directed by Wong Kar Wai, with a touch of sentimentality that stays with you long after the film ends. The video seen during the discussion analyses how every shot within this film is a frame within a frame

What is a frame-within-a-frame shot?

It means that every single shot features the main characters framed not only by the rectangle of the film itself, but by smaller internal shapes as well.

It's a visual technique used largely by Wes Anderson and the likes. But in Wong Kar Wai's films, they are used to propel the story forward.

With a watercolour palette like cinematography, this film manages to create a circular narrative and an emotional journey that encapsulates the character's inner turmoils, and the essence of the film lies in what is shown, not what is told.

Written by: Hetvi Kamdar

Curated by: Shweta Singh