{"id":88,"date":"2023-09-05T23:23:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T23:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/?p=88"},"modified":"2023-09-07T14:11:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T14:11:01","slug":"mise-en-scene-in-the-grand-budapest-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/2023\/09\/05\/mise-en-scene-in-the-grand-budapest-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"(Viewer) Mise-en-sc\u00e8ne in The Grand Budapest Hotel!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By: Marian Silvera Hariton <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Greetings, Dear class. Before reading my analysis, please watch this excellent YouTube video that deep dives into the Mise-en-sc\u00e8ne in Wes Anderson&#8217;s films, especially &#8220;The Budapest Hotel.&#8221; This video talks about how Anderson uses symmetry in almost every shot throughout his films. The video highlights how this symmetry tells us a story about the relationship between Zero and M. Gustave. It shows how, in the film, when they first meet, Zero is always positioned on the back of M. Gustave, showing their distant relationship, and as they gradually get closer as friends, they appear together in the shot. More on this in this video by Joseph McNairy: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0pyHqCJEIjc\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0pyHqCJEIjc\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0pyHqCJEIjc<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"min-height:346px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"798\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-89\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1024x798.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1024x798.png 1024w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-300x234.png 300w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-768x598.png 768w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Zero and M. Gustave are not portrayed as equals at the film&#8217;s start. Zero needs to work to gain M. Gustave&#8217;s respect.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/image-1-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">When Zero saves M. Gustave&#8217;s life, M. Gustave is very grateful, and we can sense that their relationship has developed. They have become closer, and because of that, they are placed beside each other in the shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, onto my analysis:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anderson utilizes mise-en-sc\u00e8ne as a visual and thematic guide in the Grand Budapest Hotel. Meticulously designed sets, distinct color palettes, and impeccably symmetrical shots create a surreal world. Also, the changing aspect ratios of the movie, signaling different eras and time periods in the film,  add complexity to the storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The relationship between the film&#8217;s environment and mise-en-sc\u00e8ne is profound. The Grand Budapest Hotel is not just a backdrop but almost a character. Each corner of the hotel narrates a part of its story &#8211; from when it was at the height of its glamour to its gradual decline. The story shows Gustave&#8217;s journey from a high point of success to a period of relative obscurity. The attention to detail in the set design immerses the audience and enhances their connection to the environment&#8217;s evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film&#8217;s structure is like a series of compartments, each with a unique narrative element. This mirrors the film&#8217;s overarching theme of storytelling, as characters share their memories within the broader narrative framework. These thematic compartments keep the audience engaged and curious, ensuring there is always something new to discover as the story unfolds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In &#8220;The Grand Budapest Hotel,&#8221; Anderson masterfully captures the essence of nostalgia, evoking a longing for the past, be it the charm of the pre-war era or the purity of youth. These contemplative moments and the significance of memories add depth to the characters and the plot, connecting with those fondly remembered days gone by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film emphasizes the role of memories in shaping the narrative. Storytelling preserves them and provides meaning to the past, motivating the characters. It explores the intricate relationship between narratives and memories in shaping identity and the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film focuses on the idea of returning, which triggers emotions and unresolved issues that eventually lead to closure. Characters revisit the Grand Budapest Hotel and confront their past, a theme many people can relate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The film also incorporates historical context into its storyline in a subtle way. The political turmoil of the time, including hints of fascism, Nazism, and communism, serves as a backdrop. It reminds us of the historical context but focuses on Anderson&#8217;s unique narrative. The historical elements contrast the characters&#8217; personal dramas with the broader historical events unfolding in the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In summary, &#8220;The Grand Budapest Hotel&#8221; is a masterful exploration of storytelling, memory, and nostalgia, infused with Wes Anderson&#8217;s signature mise-en-sc\u00e8ne and distinctive narrative structure. While the film lightly touches upon historical themes, it primarily revolves around the profound influence of memories and stories in shaping our identities. It is a whimsical, visually captivating, and thought-provoking cinematic experience that invites us to reflect on the enduring power of narrative and memory in our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"532\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-92\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/unnamed-file.png\" style=\"object-position:59% 9%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"59% 9%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/unnamed-file.png 532w, https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/files\/2023\/09\/unnamed-file-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Question for the class:  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>How do you think Wes Anderson&#8217;s use of mise-en-sc\u00e8ne, particularly in the meticulously designed sets and distinct color palettes, contribute to the overall themes of nostalgia and storytelling in &#8216;The Grand Budapest Hotel&#8217;?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Marian Silvera Hariton Greetings, Dear class. Before reading my analysis, please watch this excellent YouTube video that deep dives into the Mise-en-sc\u00e8ne in Wes Anderson&#8217;s films, especially &#8220;The Budapest Hotel.&#8221; This video talks about how Anderson uses symmetry in almost every shot throughout his films. The video highlights how this symmetry tells us a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8638,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,8],"tags":[26,28,27],"class_list":["post-88","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-viewer","category-week-3-9-5-9-7-mise-en-scene","tag-mise-en-scene","tag-viewer","tag-week3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88\/revisions\/156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/introtofilm2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}