The Revenant (2015) is a historical drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and cinematographed by Emmanuel Lubezki. The cinematography in The Revenant has been widely regarded as one of the most visually stunning and beautiful cinematography in recent memory. The film’s cinematography has been praised for its ability to create a sense of space, atmosphere and mood.
The Revenant was shot entirely with natural light, which gives the film a more realistic and immersive feel. This natural lighting, combined with the film’s use of long takes and sweeping camera movements, creates a sense of grandeur and scale that is rarely seen in contemporary films. The film’s cinematography also effectively captures the harsh and unforgiving nature of the American wilderness, which serves as a backdrop for much of the film’s action.
The film’s use of natural light is particularly effective in creating a sense of realism, as it allows the audience to experience the world of the film as if they were actually there. The use of natural light also adds an element of unpredictability to the film, as the light source can change rapidly and unpredictably, creating a sense of tension and unease. This unpredictability also adds to the film’s realism, as it mimics the way light behaves in the real world.
The Revenant’s cinematography is also notable for its use of long takes, which are used to create a sense of continuity and coherence within the film. These long takes are often used to capture intense and dramatic moments, such as the film’s brutal fight scenes, which are made even more intense by the film’s use of extended takes. The use of long takes also helps to create a sense of intimacy between the audience and the film’s characters, as it allows the audience to experience the film’s events in real-time.
Finally, the film’s use of sweeping camera movements serves to create a sense of scale and grandeur, as it allows the audience to experience the vast and expansive landscapes that are a central part of the film’s visual aesthetic. The sweeping camera movements also serve to create a sense of momentum, as they follow the film’s characters as they move through the wilderness, creating a sense of forward momentum that is both exhilarating and intense.
In conclusion, the cinematography in The Revenant is considered to be so beautiful because of its effective use of natural light, long takes, and sweeping camera movements, which work together to create a sense of realism, intimacy, grandeur, and momentum that is unmatched by most contemporary films. The film’s cinematography serves to effectively immerse the audience in the world of the film and to create a visually stunning and emotionally powerful experience.
