Concerning the hotel room camera angles in Apocalypse Now…

I wanted to discuss a point that was not brought up in class concerning the first scene in Apocalypse Now.  I think it is important in analyzing film to be conscious of the identity of the camera. I always enjoy asking myself, what role does the director wish the viewer to play in the movie? The camera angle, shot length, composition, and other aspects is the lens through which a viewing audience is allowed to interpret a scene. Often for point of view scenes or shots featuring a character delivering a monologue, it is effective for the viewer to think of the camera as another person, as you are indeed the listener of the monologue. In the hotel room scene, specifically when Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is sitting on a chair, talking about his life.  I interpreted the camera choices made here as the directors way of maintaining Willard’s abstraction from reality, but in a way that makes it seem as though he is conversing with someone. Notice his active listening body language and forward facing posture, the way he is looking up as well, as if he is giving his full attention to the person he is talking to (the viewer).

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