How The Film Manipulate Cinematic Techniques In Insomnia

The director’s in respective films manipulate cinematic techniques such as shot selection, lighting and sound to display different emotions. This allows the audience to break down the meaning and importance of the current scene. It also allows them to form an emotional connection with the characters. One of the greatest strengths in Insomnia is Christopher Nolan’s ability to keep his protagonist in every shot despite the perplex and moody-blue vibe of the movie. This means that despite the director’s desire to complicate and confuse the audience, he still manages to keep the protagonist in the spotlight. In addition to this Insomnia captured the protagonist’s emotions using several close and zoomed in shots. The director also changes the point of view of the film to show the first-hand effects of sleep deprivations and hallucinations from the protagonist's point of view.
The movie was set in Alaska where there was constant daylight which provided low level lighting such as heavy fog and silhouettes which symbolised Dormer’s slipping mind. Throughout the movie, the amount of fog and lighting indicated that Dormer is progressing towards insanity due to sleep deprivation and guilt of his partner’s death. As with any mystery/thriller films the use of sound was an extremely important companion of the lighting. The sound assisted in creating tension and suspense in the movie. Due to Nolan’s preference to mix the sound with the scene. Mixing the sound allows the audience to soak in everything happening in the film and the sound becomes part of the story telling. While the cinematic techniques utilised in Shutter Island further push the themes and symbols in the film. The use of the camera shots is manipulated in the same way as in Insomnia. The use of close and zoomed in shots showcase the raw emotions and feeling of