One way B&W/Monochrome is done in the movies these days

The Oscars' love affair with monochrome is not black and white

 

Roma was filmed in colour and converted to black and white in post-production, with the tonal values manipulated to achieve the desired look. This is how most black and white films are made now

A lot of modern "black and white" is color with the saturation turned down (or whatever) and it looks so sad--low contrast, muddy. OTOH, I've watched "The Magnificent Ambersons" with Mrs Ken and not had any idea what the movie was about--I was too busy reveling in the gorgeous camera work and the composition of some of the scenes. :-)

Since most cinematography is digital these days, I suspect that any B&W that we see in Roma originated from a color sensor. One of the more impressive things technically about Spielberg's Schindler's List was the fact that in the original theatrical run the color parts were printed on color print stock and the B&W parts were printed on B&W print stock and spliced together for the release prints. Wings of Desire on the other hand was printed on color stock even though shot on B&W film and looked much the poorer for it. It is extremely difficult to get a neutral black on color stock and that is much more evident when there isn't supposed to be any color in the image.

and it looks so sad--low contrast, muddy.

Hopefully, you’ll see Roma, Ida, and Cold War, all contemporary black and white films which are both stunning to look at and tell great stories.

The Magnificent Ambersons

Incredible movie. Orson Welles is the gold standard. Watch it again sometime, paying attention to the narrative as well. The movie is a rich and full experience on all levels. :)

It's the way most B&W photos are made these days. Shooting in color gives you many more options for B&W conversion in PP.

The Oscars' love affair with monochrome is not black and white

Like revisiting 1973's Day for Night, only in modern style.

A lot of modern "black and white" is color with the saturation turned down (or whatever) and it looks so sad--low contrast, muddy

 

Have you seen Roma? Doesn't sound like it.

Speaking of current black & white films has anyone seen Cold War? Shot ising the so-called "Academy Forma"- 1.37:1, it has a magical quality to the visual aspects, and a rich musical soundtrack. A FAR better film that Roma in my humble opinion. Having seen both. Shot with Arri Alexa Cameras using Zeiss (and other) lenses.

I couldn't tell from reading about it, if it was shot in color then converted to B&W but it's a very nice film and well worth watching. It's been nominated for several academy awards, and is very deserving IMO.

I know it's out of topic, but framing in Ida evokes the Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc.

maybe because I watched it on an ipad.

Likely an important factor.

 

I got to see a 70mm print of Roma in a movie theater and had none of the reservations you did. While it was less stark visually than the more bold black and whites of Cold War, also an incredible film, I thought Roma’s more subtle black and white work was sublime and matched the tone of the story and the slower pacing of the movie.

Since most cinematography is digital these days, I suspect that any B&W that we see in Roma originated from a color sensor. One of the more impressive things technically about Spielberg's Schindler's List was the fact that in the original theatrical run the color parts were printed on color print stock and the B&W parts were printed on B&W print stock and spliced together for the release prints. Wings of Desire on the other hand was printed on color stock even though shot on B&W film and looked much the poorer for it. It is extremely difficult to get a neutral black on color stock and that is much more evident when there isn't supposed to be any color in the image.

Interesting indeed.

I appreciate your expertise.....Thank You

A lot of modern "black and white" is color with the saturation turned down (or whatever) and it looks so sad--low contrast, muddy. OTOH, I've watched "The Magnificent Ambersons" with Mrs Ken and not had any idea what the movie was about--I was too busy reveling in the gorgeous camera work and the composition of some of the scenes. :)

 

 

I encourage you to see IDA and Cold War. Maybe you learn to recognize a color called black and another one called white. Maybe....

I watched Roma today and I must admit I struggled with the visuals

 

The thing that is most different from most movies about how Roma is filmed is that it avoids closeups. The scenes are more broad and that feels very different.

Here’s something from an interview with Alfonso Cuarón, the all-in-one director, cinematographer, writer, and editor of Roma.

Interviewer: Why black and white?

 

Cuarón: I didn’t want a film that looks vintage, that looks old. I wanted to do a modern film that looks into the past. And you kept questioning me about black and white: “Maybe color is better, otherwise you’re going to look back.” That was your argument about the 65, because it brought a different unapologetic quality to the film. It’s not a vintage black and white. It’s a contemporary black and white. Black and white was part of the DNA of the film. When the idea manifested, it was about the character Cleo [Yalitza Aparicio], the tune was memory, and it was black and white. From there you can change things.

Can you post a link to that Alfonso Cuaron interview? I'd like to read the whole of it.

Can you post a link to that Alfonso Cuaron interview? I'd like to read the whole of it.

INTERVIEW

 

Have you seen Roma? Doesn't sound like it.

 

I haven't; I'm not a big fan of the movies, but I will see it--it's on Mrs Ken's list. :-) I'm glad there's so much improvement--when I complained, I really meant the pseudo-B&W often seen in TV shows and commercials, not the renaissance of B&Was a medium. My English is, how you say, "inelegant." ;-) This has been an interesting thread--thanks to all!