Lost in Translation

Director: Sofia Coppola

Cast
Bill Murray as Bob Harris
Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte
Giovanni Ribisi as John
Anna Faris as Kelly
Fumihiro Hayashi as Charlie Brown
Akiko Takeshita as Ms. Kawasaki
François Du Bois as the Pianist
Takashi Fujii as TV host (as Matthew Minami)
Hiromix as herself


Theme:
Lost in Translation is mainly about emptiness, the film explores two main characters Bob Harris and Charlotte experience the emptiness in Tokyo. Bob Harris and Charlotte have been living their lives apart from their families and friends. Bob goes to Tokyo to film an advertisement for Suntory whisky; he leaves his wife Lydia and his son Adams. Charlotte comes to Tokyo with her husband John. However, John spends most of his time on work, he does not have much time left for Charlotte and Charlotte often lets him go off on trips without her and then spends her time in the hotel alone.


Duration: 00:03:17-00:03:25












Mise-en-scene:
Setting: In an elevator, Bob is going to his room.
Costume: Bob is wearing gray shirt with black blazer.

Bob is being isolated when he arrives Tokyo. In this scene, he stands in the elevator with other Japanese people. By looking at this scene, we see Bob is taller than other Japanese, he is so outstanding. This scene represents that Bob is different to the people in the elevator, he comes from different background and he has not fitted in so he is isolated. Also, Bob’s facial expression shows that he is tired and not so happy. Before entering the elevator, Bob receives a letter from his wife saying that Bob forgets his son Adams’ birthday. This makes Bob feel guilty conscience, which is the reason why Bob is being unhappy.

Colours:
In this scene, the main colour is black, dark brown and gray, these colours is depressing, and we can feel that this is not a happy scene because happy scene normally has colourful setting, but we cannot find any colourful items in this scene.

Sound:
In this scene, we cannot hear anyone talking because Bob cannot speak Japanese; he cannot communicate with other Japanese people in the elevator and this can be the reason why Bob is isolated.

Lighting:
Natural light is used in this scene; the light comes from the top of the elevator.

Cinematography
Shot type:
Mid Shot is used in this scene because we see from Bob’s head to his waist. Mid shot is used because we want to focus on Bob’s facial expression, his movement and we also want to compare Bob with the other Japanese people in the elevator to emphasis that Bob is isolated.

Camera angle:
The camera angle is looking straight at Bob because the focus point is his face and his movement.

Depth of field:
Deep focus is used in this scene; we see the four Japanese people at the back as well as Bob because the director wants to compare Bob with the other Japanese people in the elevator.



Duration: 00:40:33-00:41:23












In this scene, Charlotte sits on the windowsill and looking at the view of Tokyo outside the window.

Mise-en-scene:
Setting: In a hotel room where Charlotte lives.
Costume: Charlotte is wearing a gray sweater and pink underwear. Gray color has a detached and isolated feeling.

In this scene, Charlotte feels bored and lonely because her husband, John leaves her for couple of days to work so he cannot be with Charlotte. She sits on the windowsill and looking at the view of Tokyo outside the window. It seems like there are many things that bother her. She wants to chat with her husband, spend time with him. Unfortunately, her husband is unavailable. Also, Charlotte does not have many friends in Tokyo, she cannot find somebody that she can talks to and she does not know where else to go by herself.

Colours:
The main colour of the scene is gray colour, gray colour has a detached and isolated feeling and symbolise that Charlotte is lonely and isolated. Also, the sweater that Charlotte wearing is also kind of gray, the colour of her sweater matches the colour of Tokyo. This scene gives us a sense of unhappiness because of the colour that the director used.

Music:
A song called “TOMMIB” preformed by Squarepusher is played in this scene. This song sounds bit depressing and symbolise that Charlotte is lonely, the song matches the mood of Charlotte very well and affect the mood of the audience as well.

Cinematography
Shot type:
Extreme Long Shot and Close Up are used in this scene. The director uses Extreme Long Shot to do a quick introduction of Tokyo; she wants to show the buildings in Tokyo and emphasis that Tokyo is a big and lively city. Close up is used to emphasis the facial expression from Charlotte and we know she is not in a good mood.

Camera movement:
Pan Shot is used to show around the view of Tokyo. The purpose of doing this is to show a person can be lonely in a big city such as Tokyo.

Lighting:
Natural light is used in this scene; the light comes from outside of the window to show a sense of gloomy.

Depth of field:
Deep focus is used in this scene; we can see the whole view of Tokyo as well as Charlotte who sitting on the windowsill.



Conclusion:
By analysing these two scenes, we know that it is a very difficult for Bob and Charlotte to stay in a strange place such as Tokyo; they have to leave their family and friends. When they stay in a strange place, they feel lonely and isolated because they do not belong to that place. Also, the director uses colour, shot type and camera movement very wisely, she makes us feel a sense of loneliness which is the main theme of Lost in Translation.





Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Translation_(film)