Essay

Film Title - Run Lola Run
Lola Run Director - Tom Tykwer
Analyse how one or more of the following helped you understand a main character or individual: - costume, make-up, soundtrack, cinematography or voice.

In the movie "Run Lola Run" directed by Tom Tykwer two very important elements of the film were used to help me to better understand the main character, Lola. Their was the type of cinematography used throughout the film and Lola’s costume which were two key parts that stood out to me in understanding Lola’s individuality.

Firstly, the cinematography used throughout this film was very different from the standard structure of a majority of mainstream films. It used many contemporary editing techniques, camera movements, shots and angles which gave the whole film a modern edge for it’s time and made it stand out in comparison to other, conventional films. A good example of this is the scenes in the opening sequence where the viewer is drawn into an old clock, is then taken to an animated scene which transitions into a birds eye view of a town. The camera movement becomes extremely fast-paced and jumpy where we unexpectantly meet Lola. One camera movement I liked was the 360° turn as she is thinking of who can help her. Her uniqueness ties in well with the distinctive cinematography.

Another key element that helped me understand Lola better was her appearance or the costume design. Her costume gave Lola a rebellious, diverse and determined image. Another part of the costume design was her fiery, red hair which contributed to my understanding that Lola was a passionate, strong willed and dedicated heroine. Unlike your typical emotionally challenged, radiant and damsel in distress female lead of most films. Lola’s scruffy combat trousers, boots, singlet and untamed or wild red hair all add to her abnormal appearance and presence which helped me immensely understand scenes such as the casino scene and why she was discriminated by the other people in the building. To my understanding it was because she, in contrast, did not meet the formal dress code or appearance required by all customers at the casino.

In conclusion, the cinematography used was very distinctive, fast-paced and unusual for the time which is why it matched so well with Lola and her original characteristics and presence and helped immeasurably with my understanding of Lola. There was also the costume design which appropriately and perfectly executed the representation of Lola and her outcast - of - society tactics.