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Films  ›  Barry Jenkins

Moonlight (2016)

Film
DirectorBarry Jenkins
Meta takes3

Figures

Objects & symbols
  • Black's (adult Chiron) adoption of hypermasculine signifiers (grill, car, muscularity)
Locations
  • The recurring motif of water and the film's specific Miami setting
Form & technique
  • Close-ups of tactile interactions (e.g., swimming lesson, beach scene) → Haptic Visuality
  • Nicholas Britell's musical score
  • The use of direct-to-camera, frontal close-ups of Chiron's face
  • The film's tripartite narrative structure (i. Little, ii. Chiron, iii. Black)
  • The 'baptism' scene where Juan holds Little in the ocean
  • The diner scene in the third act
  • The beach scene between teenage Chiron and Kevin
  • The scene where Paula verbally abuses Chiron after he's been bullied → Melodramatic Excess
Tropes
  • Chiron's persistent quietness and withdrawn demeanor
  • The continuous bodily performance of Chiron across three actors → Kinaesthetic Empathy

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