Cityscape/Architecture Analysis: In Bruges

Title: In Bruges
Director: Martin McDonagh
Year: 2008
Genre: Black Comedy
Country of Origin: Britain/Ireland

I have chosen to analyze architecture McDonagh's Golden Globe and BAFTA winning masterpiece"In Bruges": the city's architecture and history is similar to that of Oxford, both being prominent cities in the Middle Ages. Both Oxford and Bruges have history dating back to the 11th Century, with Bruges being a prime centre of trade for Belgium merchants, Bruges being the leading port of Northwestern Europe. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Venice of the North'. Architecture wise,  it retains much of it's Medieval buildings with gorgeous Gothic cathedrals littered around. In turn, Oxford's architecture offers examples of every English architectural period, from Gothic to Stuart.




Here, the camera technique is in the 'point of view' style. This allows the viewer to see the architecture themselves, while also showing how the character sees it, while also giving the impression of the building towering over Ray and Ken. In the context of the film, it also shows the 'cultural sites', that Ken loves and Ray hates, providing most of the comedy of the film. The fast pan from the top of the building gives us a full view of the beautiful building
while also setting the scene. (Click GIF to the right to play)

As demonstrated by these two GIFs, quick shots of the architecture also convey its importance and stature in a quick and easy way. Quick shots allow the transmission of a large amount of information in a short period of time. What one should note is that these shots have been taken at night and have thus needed specialist lighting. With these two examples, light and shadow have been used tremendously well. In terms of our music video, we had planned to film some footage at night, but with time and budget restrictions, we decided against it. Nonetheless, architecture will play a pivotal role in Hamlet's scenes shot in Oxford. However, I do not think we will be using it as a primary focus through these showcased shots.





The camera technique we will be using to include architecture will most likely be panning. Here, the pan moves down and to the left, offering a wide scope of the Church's interior. In our video, we use a similar pan- we follow Hamlet striding down a street, before pulling the camera up to the top of the building revealing an ominous Anthony Gormley statue 'watching' him.


'In Bruges' 2008 Trailer: