The Expression of Hidden Love from Different Countries: Take the Films Love Letter (1995), Pride & Prejudice (2005), and Portrait of Lady on Fire (2019) as Examples
Abstract
Hidden Love refers to the romantic feelings appearing between two characters that the director conveys without including explicit lines or direct expression about "Love", but the audience is still able to perceive the mutual affection among them. This essay selects Love Letter (Japan), Pride & Prejudice (UK), and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (France) as representative examples of Japanese, British, and French filmmaking styles, respectively. It analyzes the stories and visual expression of Hidden Love in each film. By examining the techniques used in these three films to depict Hidden Love, this study seeks to understand how love is expressed across different cultures and countries. In Love Letter, Hidden Love primarily occurs between the girl student, Fujii Itsuki, and the boy, Fujii Itsuki. The film mainly uses techniques such as period impressions, coloration, lines of characters, and character contrast to express this theme. In Pride & Prejudice, the essay will analyze the Hidden Love between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, which primarily uses acting, the story of secondary characters, lighting, and empty shots to present the concept. Portrait of a Lady on Fire focuses on the Hidden Love of Heloise and Marianne, illustrating it through character interactions, music, and editing. The techniques used in these three films vary, reflecting the unique cultural characteristics of the countries they represent.
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