Deep Focus and Camera Movement: Lessons From a Masterpiece

We can learn quite a bit about storytelling, blocking, and camera movement from the masters of film. This great video takes a look at one of the less often considered masterpieces of the medium.

Coming to you from wolfcrow, this insightful video examines the cinematography of "La Règle du Jeu," a 1939 French film. "La Règle du Jeu" ("The Rules of the Game") is a famous comedy of manners and a wicked critique of the haute bourgeoisie. The film was directed by Jean Renoir, and despite his reputation and the production's massive budget, it was very poorly received on its release, prompting Renoir to cut almost 30 minutes from the film, most of the cuts consisting of scenes with Octave, who was played by Renoir himself. The original 113-minute version was only rediscovered and put back together (with one small scene missing) in 1956. Since then, the film has been recognized as a work of genius, with its deep focus cinematography and use of long takes enhancing the storytelling and providing insightful, multilayered examinations of the characters, prompting many critics to consider it the greatest work of all time. If you've not seen it before, I highly recommend watching it.