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La Ricotta

La Ricotta 

Visual elements 


The main visual element of importance in La Ricotta is the colour. Colour or lack of colour is used in scenes to create atmosphere. For example in the opening scene where the cast represents the last supper the colour is neutral which gives of a very calm atmosphere, it is easy on the eyes. This goes well with the scene because the actors are very relaxed (dancing). When the actors are filming the film the colours in the shot have a high saturation compared to the rest of the film. This creates a odd atmosphere and makes the audience wary that something wrong could happen.

Image result for la ricotta pasoliniThe final scene of La Ricotta was the scene that had the biggest impact on me. Pasolini like all good directors knew how to use the formal elements to add to the films they direct. The most effective formal element in this scene is sound. Throughout the whole film including the parts in colour and not there is always background noise. The background noise would either consist of music to add to the atmosphere of the scene or actors on the set making noise which would fill the space in between dialogue. However in the final scene when the death of the actor is announced to the director and the other people on set all noise is cut apart from dialogue. This sudden change in sound creates a completely new atmosphere that was not present in any other scene in the film. Pasolini creates this sudden change in atmosphere to make the message of the film more effective. The comedic atmosphere in a large amount of the scenes which are of the actors behind the scenes are full of upbeat music to match the scene but there is no music present in this scene. An example of a scene where the music adds to the comedic atmosphere of the scene is the short shot of the man chasing the sheep, the footage is sped up and the music is fast paced to match the visuals which makes the scene more comedic.

The serious atmosphere the final scene creates is completely broken by the end credits. The lack of sound is suddenly stopped with music to go with the credits. This sudden change changes the atmosphere from being tense and serious to more relaxed. Sound is not the only formal element in the credits which break the atmosphere. The visuals of the end credits also play a part, the monochrome colour pallet is changed back to the colourful high exposure colour pallet which was present in multiple scenes throughout the film. Overall I believe Pasolini changed the atmosphere suddenly on purpose because he wanted the final feeling from the film to be negative based on religion, the sudden change from a man dying in the same position to end credits of a upbeat nature were to show Pasolini's feelings on religion, it was to be disrespectful.


Image result for la ricotta dead man




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