Slumdog Millionaire

The film Slumdog Millionaire certainly makes use of varying visual design and cinematographic elements to affect the mood and feel throughout this engrossing film. These purposeful design elements provide vital aid in telling the story.

In my opinion, the most notable visual design element throughout this film is the color and lighting effect. The film lighting contrasts between bright and dark following the ups and downs of the storyline. Additionally, the film’s use of color contrasts the differences in socioeconomic classes within the film’s setting.

I feel, given the incredible success of this film, grossing over $360 million worldwide, the fact that Slumdog is recognized as being a low-budget film only aids in the telling of its story and its enormous appeal with audiences around the world. The low-budget nature of the film’s cinematography certainly correlates to the story and, in my view, makes it more realistic and believable, as if it were almost a non-fiction work.

Slumdog certainly attempts to associate socioeconomic status and perceived intelligence or education in that part of the world. The costume and makeup design provide a clear message to the viewer about the different classes of citizens. The dirt and ragged clothing covering the people, primarily children, of the slums illustrates their poverty.

Despite depicting the disparity between classes and the direness of extreme poverty faced by millions around the globe, Slumdog has surprisingly been called by some a “feel-good” film. The masterful application of production and visual design elements of this film take-on these dramatic social issues and reveal the brightness of hope and joy that exists even in the darkest of circumstances.