Revanche

Recent (2008) movie from one Gotz Speilmann
use of frequent still shots, usually mid shots or three quarters
not much camera movement in these long pieces, though not excessively long (with movemtn usually pretty neutral reframing stuff)
low key lighting in a low-contrast, washed out locale
much talking of dark shapes, of shadows to obscure faces; fits tonal range of film
interesting conundrum; with this imposed, needs to fit two actors into a frame, yet show their alienation. Frequent use of actors on different levels, requiring a certain deep focus
usually, both in frame shows a connection; constant fight against this with different (often not all in focus) levels, with occassional reliefs when they meet
not a huge amount of blocking, really; stay pretty still
use of off centre framings to also show a deliberate unevenness; chickens out a little by filling the blank part of the frame later in the shot
use of door to screen left, narrows space as though we see the film through a black tunnel
for the content themes, we have a pretty simple economic narrative, cogar chomping capitalist, prostitute with a heart of gold, artist/ thief, caught in between, a good man but complicit
women in this film either to be perfect and unattainable (fetished photo) or just to annoy/ be chucked around to demonstrate the male thematics
clear readings of the lead taking his double's desire/ how to cope with the law, etc
the first half, with the floating commodity-signifier and the women, very much 'Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia'
becomes pretty predictable after that, though at least stops when it realizes there's not much point going on
with all its faults, it is solid, nice evocations of the sex/money/death play