THE LAST EMPEROR Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Stars: John Lone, Peter O'Toole


This film is one of the most beautifully crafted films I have ever seen.

Along with being an incredible work of directing, music composition, acting and screenwriting - the cinematography is startling and impactful in its meaningful beauty.  This is a story that reminds us of the films of Akira Kurosawa who so famously follow the journey of powerful (in stature or personality) men who are suddenly "awakened" and trying to define who they are and what they stand for in a world of sameness (Ikiru), despair (The Lower Depths) or corruption (High and Low).

In the cinematography, we must acknowledge the juxtaposition of these opposing color choices -

THE PAST
Vibrantly Colorful
Mostly Tungsten
Orange Sun / Blue Moon
Color Pushed to Extreme




THE PRESENT 
Colorless and Sameness 
Mostly Daylight Sun / Daylight Moon 
Color Desaturated