Scene 1
The opening shot is that of a Middle Eastern market filled with people and objects. There are large baskets and bags being carried by the citizens and they are surrounded by brightly covered textiles and rugs, and of course the frame is divided in to threes by two large support beams holding the awning above the street scene. The lighting is shining through thee awning creating a very busy feeling, as well as revealing the dirt in the air, creating a very claustrophobic sense. The establishing shot is from a crane, tilting downward upon the masses. The music is from a Middle Eastern wind instrument and the bustle of the crowd is overbearing further adding to the claustrophobia of the scene.
Scene 2
This is a shot from a steady cam tilted up at four Arabic men, three in the foreground and one in the background. The depth of field or dof is focused on the three in front, each with a hammer, striking in to shape some metal. There is a fire creating a distinct heat on the right side of the middle third, emitting an almost palpable heat. The man in the back is working a billows making the fire grow, only adding to the heat of the scene. There is much filth and grime in this scene, creating a feeling of sweaty discomfort. The sound of the hammers banging adds a sense of chaos as the music drones on. It is a very agitated scene, and the lines dividing the scene in to thirds are very harsh. There is a very distinct rhythm to this scene as they hammer and billow in sequence with the terrible music.
Scene 3
The man in white is lit through a slatted roof and his white clothing reflects the glint on to the beans that he is measuring, very carefully. There are many interesting textures and shapes in this scene, the round, smooth beans, the reed slatted walls, the woven baskets, the fabrics on the people, and the colored textiles in the background. His eye line, outstretched arm and baskets create the horizontal thirds; and the bamboo roof supports and scale create the vertical thirds. The bustle of the people gives off a sense of chaos which is very contrasted to the meticulous manner in which he weighs the beans. Being in the foreground of the shot, this contrast helps to calm the viewer, helping one to see that there is order among chaos. The music drones on and the diegetic sound really adds effectively to the chaotic crowd
Scene 4
There is a gentleman walking through the shot carrying a bamboo pole with three water jugs hanging off it, walking past a barber shaving the head of a client. The shot is a tripod shot just below eye level of the passerby, but right at the eye line of the barber. Texture is huge in this scene many lines both horizontal and vertical, shiny and smooth pots, more bright cloth, and the fabric and color of the clothing and the biggest one in this scene the smooth texture of half a shorn head against the hair that remains still. The white fabrics that these men wear are a representation of cleanliness and purity, possibly stimulating a religious response. The lighting draws the eye directly to the fabric and the process of shaving the head, which is a symbol of stripping off the old and worn and starting a new, both fresh and clean.
Scene5
Downward tilt of the camera with lots of background lighting, creating a dimmed out foreground and frame subject. There is so much texture in this scene, many latticed wood pieces and chairs, add to feeling of chaotic busyness. The main subject is carving the leg of a chair using an antiquated technique, but he somehow maintains his focus in all the hustle and bustle around him. This says something about his craftsmanship.
Scene 6
This is a straight on shot of the market pathway. That same damn instrument is still playing and for the first time you see the musician in the scene, that racquet now has a face. What they have done is textured the lighting in this scene and it looks fantastic, especially with the bright colors and designs of the clothing. The merchants are checking their products, almost for quality assurance and they are oblivious to the sea of humans passing by, reiterating the importance of their craft. The diegetic sound has become more frantic and seems to be growing louder in each scene.
Scene 7
Now this is an interesting shot. The music and diegetic sound is still blaring, and you can still feel all of that chaos, but the visuals help calm. The two shot is of a man sewing and a young boy watching. The man is very focused on the task at hand, while the boy is fixated on his mentor?, watching his every move. They have separated them from the market by using a bamboo screen, giving off a unique lighting texture on them both. It is a downward tilt on the camera, giving an intimate feel of a boy and his master.
Scene 8
Back out to the market the music has quieted in this scene but the diegetic sound has grown in intensity. You hear some of the men yelling, as if to barter with one another, as well as two men washing some blue cloth in a large bin. Most everyone in this scene is wearing white robes and turbans creating a sense of unity. The lighting is that of the midday sun, and all of the white creates an intensely bright scene, brighter than what we have seen. The two men that are washing the material, one is black and the other is your standard Middle Eastern color, creating a bond between them, they are facing each other, wearing the same clothes, washing the same material.
Scene 9
There are two blind soothsayers on the outskirts of this shot, and they are standing by themselves, no one aware of them. This unique placement has changed the feeling of unity in the previous shot to one of a disenfranchised loneliness. The one man is wearing a red turban and a white shirt with black stripes, creating a sense of imprisonment, and with the red turban it is almost a warning, like stay away! The lighting and texture of the large clay bricks creates a very harsh texture that not even a mother could love.
Scene 10
As it pulls across there are more of these blind men, and they are all saying something, but6 the interesting thing is that they are all lined up, like in front of a firing squad. As it cut to this scene the first thing I noticed is that they are all wearing striped shirts and most have the colored turbans. The large clay bricks behind them give off this really hard texture, it looks like a prison wall, and there is really very little light. I assume that these men are blind as well because they have the weird eyes, and they are looking around but it is obvious they can’t see. The one interesting thing is that even though these men are outcast, there exists a sense of unity betwixt them.
Scene 11
This is a great shot. There are people in the background, but they are not the focus of this scene. As I look at it I believe the textures are what’s important about this shot. You have the camels on both sides and their backs are laden with baskets and bags of grains maybe, creating a wonderful array of lines and shadows. The lighting is very bright in this scene, and you can see wisps of smoke against the background wall. This shot really immerses you in to this busy market, and really creates a three dimensional feel to the movie
Scene12
Back to the market. Now this is a three shot, with fantastic texture. The camera has pushed in close, really adding to the intimacy of this scene. All of the men are wearing different colored turbans and striped shirts, and they are all looking forward at some very large instruments. The circular cookware, adds some create parallelism to this shot, keeping the eye focused on the left of the screen as it over takes the shot. The background is very well lit and out of focus, but the three men in this scene are dulled out and in focus, excellent contrast.
Scene 13
Now as it cuts away the men were actually playing those instruments as part of a larger group of men, all seated around a snake charmer. The snake charmer is using this same damn droning music to charm the snake in a medium sized wooden box. All of the men are in under a tent which creates this dark and rich feel contrasted against the brightly lit background. The shot look to be on a steady cam, because as it pulls back the snake charmer comes closer and you are looking up at him, as if seated in the audience.
Scene 14
Finally some women in this sausage fest, all of them old and ugly, but the men are less than special themselves. The center of attention is this brightly dressed man smoking a pipe that is covered in decorations. His clothes have stripes and bright red with a colored sash, as compared to everyone around him who are wearing either whites or earthy tones. They are all focused on this man as he smokes his large peace pipe, and breathes out the smoke. What a great texture in this shot! The camera is positioned to feel as an audience member, and the lighting is really focused on this terrible looking, no toothed man. The crowd is really dulled out due to the lighting used.
Scene 15
This is a great shot. Everything is brightly lit and wide open, completely opposite from the boxed in cramped feel of the other scenes. All of the men are wearing bright whites or bright stripes and they sit around in a circle. There is a man on the right of the shot smoking a pipe and the man on the left is playing with small birds. There are white doves and flowers in the foreground, all brightly washed, creating a totally different feeling then the dirty crowded market place. The shot is from a low angle and catches not only the enthralled men and boys but the city walls, jutting forth with geometrically perfect teeth. I love this shot, it really gives a very clean feel, and the shapes in the background are a great contrast to the people.
Scene 16
Ok this is a three shot, but the dude is wearing mother effing scorpions on his damn face! There is a man on the right of the shot smoking a pipe and the man on the left is playing with small birds. There are white doves and flowers in the foreground, all brightly washed, creating a totally different feeling then the dirty crowded market place. The shot is from a low angle and catches not only the enthralled men and boys but the city walls, jutting forth with geometrically perfect teeth. I love this shot, it really gives a very clean feel, and the shapes in the background are a great contrast to the people.
Scene 16
Ok this is a three shot, but the dude is wearing mother effing scorpions on his damn face! This is totally nutso! The two men in the background are just chilling casually nutso! The two men in the background are just chilling as if nothing is happening. The diegetic sound is very loud, and the camera angle is tilted pushed in on the face of this man. What in the shit is going on?
Scene 17
The camera angle on this shot is very low and the lighting is coming from the background and the camera is pushed in on a young kid with the background being the guy playing that cursed instrument, as well as others in the background playing instruments. There is an interesting texture created by the overheard thatched roof, and there are tons of colors in this shot. The contrast between the colors and the lighting is excellent and really gives a sense of intimate community.
Scene 18
There is a man in the center of the shot drinking boiling water and wearing interesting clothing. What in the hell is going on with these people? Everyone is looking intently on this man waiting for him to do whatever it is he does. The flute is still playing and the diegietic sound has been washed out a little. There is lighting coming from the right and little to none on the left, creating a very light to dark scene. The background shapes are very different as well. The geometric shape of the wall on the left and the tent/awning on the right with the reeds or bamboo, the camera angle is low again as to be looking up at the people in the shot.
Scene 19
This a very dark shot. The foreground has no lighting and you can barely make out what is going on and you rely on the outlines of the people and objects to tell what is going on. The background is very well lit and is focused on the large city wall, and the texture of this wall is outstanding. You can see the towers of the city and the decaying bricks and clay of the walls. The tree in the middle of the shot gives off a unique shape, being that it is not lit and is starkly contrasted against the city wall. The flute is still playing but you can hear the horses and the carriages go by very clearly.
Scene 20
the first scene not of the market. This is an establishing shot of a building. That damn flute has finally stopped, and now there is quiet music, almost soothing. It is night time and there is light that you can see in the windows, creating an interesting texture in the windows. There is some overhead lighting that can be seen coming from the top left of the frame that gives a really eerie feeling, to the whole shot. The wall is very symmetrical and geometric, and looks really great. The camera looks to be on a dolly and pushes in very close on one of the windows right before we enter.
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