Detailed Film Analysis of Kidnap: Cinematography and Technical Aspects

This film analysis report provides a detailed examination of the movie 'Kidnap.' It delves into several key aspects of filmmaking, including lighting techniques, such as the use of key, fill, and backlights to highlight characters and create desired contrasts. The report also analyzes the film's soundtrack, emphasizing its importance in enhancing the narrative and creating harmony with the visuals. Furthermore, the analysis covers the use of color to convey meaning and affect audience experience, and the utilization of various camera angles, including medium shots, aerial shots, and extreme close-ups, to capture essential details. The report highlights the cinematography by Flavio Martínez Labiano, and offers a critical perspective on the film's overall impact and reception, acknowledging both positive and negative feedback, while advocating for a flexible approach to film content. The analysis references the film's director, Luis Prieto, and key contributors, such as Knate Lee.

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FILM ANALYSIS
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Lightning
Lighting is a very fundamental aspect of cinema. Lighting in films is often referred to as
‘writing on light,' and illumination is required in still images and pictures in motion. Illumination
is an essential duty of every cinematographer1. The movie Kidnap uses a blend of a back, fill and
key lights to highlight the principal characters in every given scene. The key light offers the main
illumination in the film; the fill light fills the shadows of the characters while the backlight
separates the performers from the backdrop. This combination ensures a perfect lighting and the
desired contrast in the film.
Soundtrack
The film Kidnap combines several soundtracks in the events to well-suit the event in
progress. The soundtracks are well-paired with the pictures in motion to create harmony. Ideally,
the background of any film determines the status it is likely to achieve in the public domain2. A
super soundtrack definitely translates to a winning film. Realistically, the movies which have
excelled and survived the turbulences of the modern world are played in a very sound
background.
Colour
Colour helps a film in telling a story and passing the intended meaning. The colour
decisions affect the experiences of the audience while watching the movie. The theme colours
should be in alignment with the events failure to which the movies will appear more complex.
1 Brand, Neil. 2013. The secret art of the film soundtrack. September 12. Accessed May 31, 2018.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/sep/12/film-soundtracks-neil-brand.
2 Brand, Neil. 2013. The secret art of the film soundtrack. September 12. Accessed May 31, 2018.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/sep/12/film-soundtracks-neil-brand.

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The woman of colour in the film makes it even more interesting (Lee 2017)3. Not all movies
acknowledge the people of color for the roles they take.
Camera Angles
Camera angles are usually used in movies to demonstrate the varied aspects of characters,
settings, and themes. Most of the events in the film are covered through medium shot although
other angles such as aerial and the extreme close up are also evident. The production team varies
the camera angles from event to event to capture all the necessary details that the audience may
require to view.
Cinematography
The Director of Photography in the Film Kidnap is Flavio Martínez Labiano (Lee
2017)4. Labian is a renowned cinematographer who has taken part in the filming of numerous
movies. Although many people feel that this film is far below the bar, I feel that it is a perfect
abduction thriller with all the aspects that make an extraordinary movie. Perhaps many feel that it
did not satisfy their expectations simply because it took too long at the production stage. Other
people criticize it for having the messiest plot ever. However, the audiences should practice a
little bit of restrain and embrace flexibility when it comes to the content in films.
Bibliography
3 2017. Kidnap. Directed by Luis Prieto. Performed by Knate Lee.
4 2017. Kidnap. Directed by Luis Prieto. Performed by Knate Lee.

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Brand, Neil. 2013. The secret art of the film soundtrack. September 12. Accessed May 31, 2018.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/sep/12/film-soundtracks-neil-brand.
2017. Kidnap. Directed by Luis Prieto. Performed by Knate Lee.