As one might expect, this film was shot in back and white – certainly the obvious choice for its content. Not only is black and white easier to shoot – especially when using actual film over digital media – but it affords the opportunity to be creative. As in the film Schindler’s List, the color red was added for emphasis in two places. One on Mr. Runihura’s arm, to signify the fact that he is obviously abusing his family, and later as the effect of blood dripping down the garage of the Runihura home. This latter effect was juxtaposed with one of Mrs. Elsbeth’s monologues about how all the bad things in the world happen so far away. It was a beautifully poignant scene.
Some parts of the film’s beginning do look a little fuzzy and out of focus. There weren’t really any lighting or contrast issues, although this entire film was shot outside, which could definitely have made lighting easier. (Though not necessarily!)
Sovereignty was originally a play, and the film’s setup certainly give a nod to its original incarnation. There is only one location, the exterior of Mrs Elsbeth’s house, and only four characters. The challenge of converting a play to film (or vice versa) is to keep the spirit of the original story, but to also distinguish it by making use of the new medium. Take the film Noises Off, for instance – the movie really only has four distinct locations, but the movie distinguishes itself enough as to make a viewer surprised upon learning that it was originally a stage play. Even though these filmmakers chose not to add additional locations or to add insert shots, they still used some distinctive film effects to make this story their own. Though it seems a bit obvious now, I didn’t know this movie was originally a stage play until I looked up more information about its author.
Sovereignty opens with the classic fifties’-style, big-voiced, smiling narrator. Kind of like that really annoying margarine commercial with the “Buttertons.” There’s also a great score that matches the tone perfectly, and at the very end of the movie, there was the added sound of screams that gradually increased in volume and intensity that created a great juxtaposition with Mrs. Elsbeth’s final monologue
I did notice that the yelling sounds from the house next door were a bit muffled. They were probably added in post, but they sounded a bit more muffled than they ought to be, if that makes sense. Also, the music seemed a bit overpowering at times, sometimes drowning out the dialogue. Remember to try to mix music beds at about -18 dB and dialogue at about -12 dB.
