Hiroshima Mon Amour, directed by Alain Resnais and released in 1959, is widely considered to be a classic of French New Wave cinema. The film is renowned for its innovative narrative structure, unconventional approach to the portrayal of time and memory, and its use of non-linear storytelling.
One of the key elements that contribute to the film’s success is its cinematography. The film’s cinematographer, Sacha Vierny, was known for his innovative camera work, and his collaboration with Resnais resulted in a film that was visually stunning and emotionally impactful. The film’s use of long takes, tracking shots, and unconventional camera angles helped to create a sense of detachment and otherness that was central to the film’s themes of memory and loss.
Another important aspect of the film’s cinematography is its use of light and color. The film’s use of black-and-white cinematography was a deliberate choice made by Resnais and Vierny, as it allowed them to create a dreamlike atmosphere that was well-suited to the film’s themes of memory and loss. The film’s use of light and shadow was also carefully controlled, with the filmmakers using light to create a sense of intimacy and to emphasize the emotional intensity of certain scenes.
The film’s sound design was also a key component of its success. The film’s use of silence and ambient sound helped to create a sense of detachment and otherness, while the use of diegetic sound (sound that is part of the world of the film) and non-diegetic sound (sound that is not part of the world of the film) helped to create a sense of temporal displacement. The film’s use of voiceover was also innovative, as it allowed the filmmakers to convey the protagonist’s inner thoughts and emotions in a way that was both direct and subtle.
In conclusion, Hiroshima Mon Amour is considered to be a good film due to its innovative cinematography, its unconventional approach to the portrayal of time and memory, and its use of non-linear storytelling. The film’s use of long takes, tracking shots, unconventional camera angles, light and color, sound design, and voiceover were all key elements that contributed to its success and its status as a classic of French New Wave cinema. (Source: “Hiroshima Mon Amour” by Ginette Vincendeau, “The Film Handbook” edited by John Ellis)
