The Symbolism of colours in film and storytelling

Colours are the silent narrators of cinema, weaving emotions and meaning into every frame. The strategic use of colour in films and storytelling is not merely an aesthetic choice but a powerful tool that influences audience perception and conveys underlying themes.

Red, a color often associated with passion and danger, finds diverse expressions in cinema. In Schindler’s List, the girl in the red coat becomes a haunting symbol of lost innocence amidst the black-and-white horrors of the Holocaust. Contrastingly, in American Beauty, red rose petals embody lust and desire, enveloping the protagonist in a midlife crisis of repressed longing. Red’s intensity commands attention, setting the emotional temperature of pivotal scenes.

Blue, on the other hand, often reflects calmness, sadness, or introspection. In Moonlight, director Barry Jenkins uses shades of blue to explore themes of identity and acceptance, creating a visual poem of self-discovery. Meanwhile, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel employs pastel blues to evoke nostalgia, juxtaposing the whimsical with the melancholic. Blue serves as a contemplative space, inviting viewers into the inner worlds of characters.

Yellow is synonymous with warmth and optimism but can also signify deceit and madness. In Kill Bill, the Bride’s yellow jumpsuit is a beacon of vengeance and resilience, cutting through the film’s violent tapestry. Conversely, in Revolutionary Road, yellow’s warmth turns sour, encapsulating the decay of suburban dreams.

Green, often linked with nature and renewal, can also depict envy or the supernatural. The Great Gatsby uses the green light as a symbol of Gatsby’s unreachable dreams, a flicker of hope tainted by reality. In The Matrix, green’s digital tint blurs the line between reality and illusion, questioning the nature of existence itself.

Black and white films, though devoid of colour, utilise contrast to heighten drama and focus on character nuances. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho leverages stark contrasts to underscore the duality of human nature, while Roma uses grayscale to paint a portrait of memory and class struggle.

The language of colour in storytelling is a potent method for directors and writers to subconsciously guide audiences. Whether intensifying a narrative, revealing character's psyche, or setting a film's tone, colours transcend dialogue, becoming the unspoken poetry of visual art.

As audiences, we may not always register these choices consciously, but our emotional responses are invariably shaped by this vibrant palette, making colors indispensable to the art of storytelling.