English assessment Essay

 ‘The Power of one’ has a powerful and advancing film that can be very deep. It was Directed marvellously by John G Alvildsen, and based on Bryce Courtney’s book. He uses film techniques ingeniously throughout the film to manifest pre-apartheid South Africa and the dispute leading up to it. Lighting, Makeup, camera shots and facial expressions are all used meaningfully and successfully will be demonstrated in this essay.  

Lighting was used effectively in this scene, in the power of one. For example, the lighting is dark and ominous which happens to land on the man making him shadier. This makes the audience feel more scared and more threatened by the man's look. The purpose of this was to make the man seemed more in charge and that he will be more of a threat to someone. This worked well with the low angle shot it makes him more dominant to the audience. This can be compared to the things that happen later in the movie in which the lighting resembles something dark or bright.

Makeup is utilised skillfully in this scene in the power of one. For instance, the makeup of the guy cutting his arm with a sharp object can identify a symbolic meaning. This makes the audience think that Botha (the bully) seem more determined in Hitler. The director did this to make Botha show his determination for Hitler as one of his number 1 person he looks up to. Combined with symbolism it can resemble the nazi logo which shows more depth into the meaning. This aspect can be compared to later in the movie where P.K had seen him as a bodyguard which then triggers his memory about what he did.

A long angle shot is implemented well in this scene of the power of one. We see this when the camera points at an angle that tilts under them. This makes the audience feel more afraid of the crowd and empower the saluting they did, mixed with the chant. This was done to make them empower their chants and salutes to Hilter and show dominance. This also wired well with the nazi flags carrying a symbolic meaning to all of this. This can be juxtaposed to the WW2 stuff that has been happening at that time.

Facial expression is used effectively in this scene of the power of one. This is demonstrated when the camera does a close-up shot of P.K’s face that shows the expression on P.K. This makes us understand that killing the chicken made P.K experience grief as to losing another thing he loved in his life. the purpose of this was to make us feel his grief for P.K and make us determined what it was like for him. Combined with the tears and make-up which helps us see the look in his eyes. This aspect can be compared to the last scene where recently his mother passed away and him describing his emotions through the same facial expression.

Alvidsen had done a beautiful job constructing this 1992 Film ‘The Power Of One”. He cunningly constructs the film aspects masterfully, especially Lighting,  makeup camera shots and facial expressions. Everyone who has studied or still studying apartheid and human rights should be an audience to this amazing work of art.