The first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King is here and we can already see what a Barry Jenkins touch can do. The prequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King, starring John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and Blue Ivy Carter will revolve around the titular lion’s origin story, narrating his childhood with his brother Taka aka Scar.
Barry Jenkins Speaks On Close-Up Shots in Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024). Image Credit: Disney
There’s no exception here. If there is Barry Jenkins behind the camera, then it can be easily assumed that he will certainly use his signature style of bringing the elements to a closer look. He did it in his Oscar-winning movie Moonlight. He did the same in If Beale Street Could Talk. And he is doing the same in Mufasa: The Lion King as well.
In an interview with Empire magazine, Jenkins was asked about his this particular aspect of filmmaking. He discussed a few special shots and told the magazine that he was proud of these close-up shots. Going detailed, he said that these shots will be a treat to kids who want to have a close glance at lions who are in “deep thoughts.”
“So few people get to see these animals up close. Here’s a moment for kids to just have an intimate moment with a lion who’s deep in thought.”
Jenkins also shared that for him it was important to “leave his fingerprints everywhere.”
Jenkins shared his perspective on this approach. He mentioned that when entering an existing universe, there’s a tendency to think that creativity is limited. But, in reality, he felt that it was essential to work towards creating his own freedom within those constraints. This allowed him to express his distinctive vision. He explained, “When you step into a world that already exists, it can be easy to assume that freedom is denied.”
His guiding philosophy came from a friend’s advice: you’ve achieved your goal when, a decade later, you can look at a film, point to a specific moment, and say, “There, that’s where I am.” For Jenkins, this film contained such moments.
Jenkins’ vision focused on fostering a dynamic between the characters.
“I think the job was to consistently create scenarios amongst the characters where the actors would move in concert because they knew this is where Barry is, this is where we are.”
Through meticulous attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to her creative instincts, Jenkins succeeded in leaving an indelible mark on the franchise landscape.
The Art of Close-Ups: Barry Jenkins’ Signature Style in Film
Barry Jenkins. Image Credit: Screengrab/TIFF Originals/YouTube
Barry Jenkins has emerged as a master of modern cinema, and a key element of his captivating style is his masterful use of close-up shots. These close-ups transcend mere framing, becoming windows into the souls of his characters.
In particular, his Academy Award-winning film Moonlight is a prime example of how close-ups can be used to create intimacy, convey emotion, and explore the inner worlds of characters.
Jenkins uses close-ups to explore the emotional complexity of his characters, often revealing their inner turmoil without the need for extensive dialogue. In Moonlight, Chiron’s journey from childhood to adulthood is marked by moments of profound silence, where close-ups capture the nuances of his expressions. This technique allows Jenkins to communicate the unspoken struggles and vulnerabilities that shape Chiron’s identity.
In addition to Moonlight, Jenkins employs close-ups effectively in his other works, such as If Beale Street Could Talk. In this film, close-ups are used to convey the deep love between Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), as well as the challenges they face.
As director Paul Thomas Anderson himself admitted, “I’m very jealous of your close-ups. There’s a long line of people who have really tried to do Jonathan Demme close-ups and I try all the time, but I have to say, you got it right better than anybody.” (Via IndieWire)
Jenkins’ quick reaction to the applaud was shock and awe: “Let the record show that Paul Thomas Anderson is jealous of my close-ups! I’m done.”
Anyway, in a time, when long and fast-tracking shots are dominating the cinematography, what Jenkins does is a sign of his mastery and storytelling ability. And, we will, hopefully, see a lot more in this upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King.
Mufasa: The Lion King will be released on December 20, 2024.
