My name is Salik Waquas, and I’m a filmmaker and colorist with a deep passion for visual storytelling. Owning a post-production color grading suite has allowed me to delve into the intricacies of cinematography and its profound impact on narrative. One film that has significantly influenced my perspective is Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. The movie stands out as a masterclass in visual storytelling, and I’d like to share my analysis of its innovative cinematography.
About the Cinematographer
Hoyte van Hoytema, the visionary cinematographer behind Dunkirk, has long been someone I admire. His ability to blend technical expertise with artistic sensitivity sets him apart in the contemporary film landscape. Collaborating frequently with director Christopher Nolan, van Hoytema has contributed to visually stunning films like Interstellar and Her, showcasing his versatility and commitment to enhancing narratives through visual means.
In Dunkirk, van Hoytema embraced the challenges of shooting on IMAX and 65mm film. This choice not only elevated the film’s intensity but also required meticulous attention to every shot. What impresses me most is how he adapts his cinematography to align with the director’s vision. Nolan’s desire for an immersive, subjective experience meant that van Hoytema had to ensure every frame pulled the audience into the characters’ perspectives, making the visual storytelling deeply personal and impactful.
Inspiration for the Cinematography of Dunkirk
The cinematography of Dunkirk was inspired by a desire to create an authentic and immediate experience of war. Nolan’s fragmented narrative unfolds through three timelines—land, sea, and air—each representing different durations: a week on land, a day at sea, and an hour in the air. Van Hoytema’s task was to visually unify these timelines while preserving their distinct rhythms.
Avoiding conventional war-film tropes, Nolan and van Hoytema aimed to place the audience directly in the soldiers’ boots. By limiting the viewers’ knowledge to what the characters knew, they created a sense of immediacy and tension. This approach was influenced by historical photographs and firsthand accounts of World War II, seeking a raw and visceral aesthetic that honors the true stories of those who lived through the Dunkirk evacuation.
Camera Movements Used in Dunkirk
One aspect that particularly impressed me was the innovative use of camera movements to convey tension and urgency. Shooting with IMAX cameras presented both opportunities and challenges. These cameras offer unparalleled resolution and immersive qualities but are bulky and sensitive to movement. Van Hoytema employed a mix of handheld shots and stabilized rigs, using steady, deliberate motion to allow the audience to absorb the scale of events.
For the beach scenes, handheld cameras were used sparingly to create a sense of disorientation, mirroring the confusion experienced by the soldiers. The aerial dogfight sequences are a highlight, with IMAX cameras mounted on actual fighter planes. The fluid tracking shots follow the Spitfires, immersing the viewer in the pilots’ perspectives without inducing motion sickness—a common issue with excessive shaky cam techniques.
Compositions in Dunkirk
Composition plays a pivotal role in Dunkirk‘s storytelling. The massive frame of IMAX allowed van Hoytema to compose shots with significant headroom, accommodating the audience’s eye level in theaters and preventing discomfort during prolonged viewing. This approach also emphasized the vastness of the environment against the vulnerability of the characters.
Wide shots of soldiers scattered across the beach highlight their isolation and the overwhelming odds they face. Close-ups are used sparingly but effectively, focusing on subtle facial expressions that convey profound emotions without dialogue. The use of horizon lines is particularly striking, often bisecting the frame to symbolize the thin line between hope and despair.
Lighting Style of Dunkirk
The lighting in Dunkirk is naturalistic and understated, reinforcing the film’s immersive quality. Van Hoytema utilized available light wherever possible, relying on the overcast skies of the French coastline to provide soft, diffused illumination that underscores the bleakness of the situation. This choice lends authenticity to the visuals, making the audience feel as though they are witnessing real events.
For indoor and night scenes, minimal artificial lighting was employed, often using practical sources like lanterns and fires. The interplay of light and shadow in the sinking ship sequences adds depth and texture, creating a claustrophobic and harrowing atmosphere. This naturalistic lighting avoids romanticizing war, presenting it in a stark and unembellished manner.
Lensing and Blocking of Dunkirk
Lensing and blocking are integral to the film’s visual impact. Van Hoytema predominantly used large-format IMAX cameras with specially designed lenses to capture expansive vistas and intricate details. The choice of an 80mm lens for IMAX shots compressed the background, focusing attention on the characters while still capturing the grandeur of the environment.
Blocking was meticulously planned to facilitate seamless camera movements and maintain narrative flow. The coordination between actors and camera operators is evident in the fluidity of the scenes. The choreography of soldiers moving across the beach or pilots maneuvering in the sky is captured in long takes that preserve the continuity of action, enhancing the immersive experience.
Color Grading of Dunkirk
From a colorist’s perspective, Dunkirk presents a masterclass in restrained yet powerful use of color. The film employs a desaturated palette dominated by cool blues, grays, and muted earth tones. This choice reinforces the somber mood and reflects the harsh conditions faced by the characters. The subdued colors avoid oversaturation, focusing on natural tones that echo the bleakness of war.
Occasionally, warmer tones emerge, such as the golden hues of a setting sun or the glow of firelight inside a ship. These moments provide brief emotional relief, symbolizing fleeting hope amidst despair. The subtle use of color enhances the emotional undertones of the film, contributing to the overall thematic cohesion without drawing attention away from the narrative.
Technical Aspects of Dunkirk
Technically, Dunkirk is a marvel. Shot primarily on IMAX and 65mm film, the movie boasts an unparalleled resolution that enhances its immersive quality. The 1.43:1 aspect ratio of IMAX allows for vertical expansion, drawing viewers into the vastness of the beach or the infinite sky.
The film’s reliance on practical effects further grounds its visuals in reality. Real Spitfires were used in the aerial sequences, and explosions were captured in-camera wherever possible. This dedication to practical effects enhances the authenticity of the film, making every shot feel tangible. The limited use of digital effects is a testament to Nolan and van Hoytema’s commitment to traditional filmmaking techniques.
Overcoming the logistical challenges of using large-format cameras, the production team developed custom rigs and mounts. These innovations enabled them to capture handheld shots and fit cameras into tight spaces like cockpit interiors. Specialized lenses ensured sharpness and consistency across all shots, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with current technology.
Conclusion
The cinematography of Dunkirk is a triumph of visual storytelling, blending technical innovation with artistic sensitivity. Hoyte van Hoytema’s masterful use of IMAX and 65mm film, combined with Nolan’s unique narrative structure, creates a cinematic experience that is both visceral and profound.
As a filmmaker and colorist, analyzing Dunkirk has been an enlightening journey. It reaffirms my belief in the power of visual storytelling and the importance of every element working in harmony to serve the story. The meticulous attention to detail in camera movement, composition, lighting, lensing, and color creates a film that doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses the audience in it.
Dunkirk is more than a war film; it’s an immersive journey that places the audience at the heart of history, making them feel every moment of tension, despair, and hope. Its cinematography plays a pivotal role in its success, and it continues to inspire me to push the boundaries of my own work. The film serves as a powerful reminder that innovation and artistry go hand in hand, and it stands as a testament to what is possible when technical prowess meets creative vision.