Minimalism has spread to all areas of human life, including housing, clothing, and has served as the inspiration for many films. The desire for simplicity on the screen has found many followers because such films allow our eyes and head to rest. In them, you will find a visual lightness and thoughtfulness of detail. Sometimes it can be a simple and at the same time ingenious plot or the simplicity of visuals that carry a special aesthetic.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter … and Spring
The film by the cult Korean director Kim Ki-Duk strikes the viewer with the beauty of nature and carries a lot of meaning. The movie tells the story of two monks living in a hut in the middle of a lake. The seasons change, as do the periods of adulthood, and the young monk must go through many temptations and punishments before he can teach the next monk himself. The film is filled with mysteries that each viewer can understand in their own way. At the same time, it is characterized by the absence of many locations and events, and what happens in the picture attracts the eye due to its sophistication and wisdom.
“A Single Man”
“A Single Man”
Trying a new role, the world-famous fashion designer Tom Ford once again proved his genius. The aesthetics of his film ” Lonely Man” can be described as minimalistic and serving as a perfect background for the emotional experience of the main character, played by Colin Firth. The life of a reticent, taciturn intellectual and professor of literature changed dramatically after a car accident that killed his beloved one. Under the yoke of loneliness, he plans to commit suicide, but at the last moment, he is distracted by his friends and the people around him. He sees life in a completely different light and overcomes his sad thoughts. Minimalism is evident in everything here, from the costumes and interiors to the dialogues of the characters.
Nocturnal animals
Nocturnal animals
Crime and people’s love relationships are intertwined in another Tom Ford film. This stylish movie keeps the audience in tension from the beginning to the end. The main character, played by Amy Adams, works in a gallery and has a difficult relationship with her husband. One day she receives a package and discovers in it a book written by her ex. She is fascinated by the work and impressed by its dark plot; she realizes that in this way, her ex-husband is drawing a parallel with their married life. In this film, you can appreciate the minimalism of private and public spaces such as museums and restaurants. Of course, the style of the characters’ clothing is also characterized by elegance and monochrome colors.
Arrival
Arrival
Already looking at the poster of this film, it becomes clear that a thoughtful picture without many elements on the screen awaits us. Arrival by Denis Villeneuve is a sci-fi film that tells the audience about the contact between aliens and humans, or rather, the latter’s attempts to find a common language with unidentified objects that flew to earth. The main character is played by the already familiar Amy Adams. Her task is to pick up signs for communicating with the aliens and understand the purpose of their visit. The personal drama of the heroine Adams who lost her husband and child, imposes some emotional burden on both her and the viewer. The monotony of the film, however, does not detract from its intellectual orientation. In the end, it manages to give the viewer not only visual pleasure but also ideas for thought.
Minimalism. A Documentary About the Important Things
Of course, it is simply impossible to ignore a film about the principles of minimalism. “Minimalism” is a documentary that allows us to take a sober look at the policy of consumption imposed in modern society. Through the example of people who have chosen a conscious way of life and consumption, we can see that a person does not need so much. So many things, clothes, and food. In doing so, you will not look like an ascetic or live like a poor person. Once upon a time, material prosperity also came first for the characters in this film, but they managed to reevaluate their values and change their lives for the better.
Minimalism in cinematography allows viewers to focus on the deep meaning of films without distracting their attention to the colorful surroundings. Only one object can serve as a key object revealing the whole essence of what is happening on the screen. Such films allow you to get a new visual experience, enjoy the lack of unnecessary details, and reflect on various philosophical topics.
