Music in Film

I have always found music and sound to be a particularly important aspect in film and television. One of my favourite utilizations of music in a media is season 4 episode 4 of Black Mirror, 'Hang The DJ' (In reference to The Smiths song 'Panic' on their compilation album 'Louder Than Bombs' which plays at the end of the episode.). Airing in 2017 the episode's synopsis is as follows - Paired up by a dating program that puts an expiration date on all relationships. Frank and Amy soon begin to question the system's logic. Having the brilliance of Charlie Brooker as writer and directed by Tim Van Patten the episode is a work of brilliance, the DOP Stuart Bentley having worked on many British Socio Realist projects and recently the heart breaking drama 'We Live in Time' The episode's original score is one I find myself coming back to time and time again, composed by Alex Somers and Sigur Ros the score is beautifully recognisable. This lead me to use some tracks by Sigur Ros in my short film 'The Glade' even using some of the tracks from Hang the DJ.

Another brilliant example of music's powerful use in Film and Television is in both Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation (2003)' and Spike Jonze's 'Her(2013)' The two films are often said to be companion pieces as their linked through countless thematic, stylistic and personal connections. Jonze and Coppola were married from 1993 to 2003 and their divorce took place shortly before the release of lost in translation. It is commonly interpreted that 'Lost in Translation' is partially inspired by Coppola's real life relationship with Jonze. Along with this the themes of isolation,loneliness and human connection are shared through both films with Theo (Joaquin Phoenix's character) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson's character) both being shown to be drowning in loneliness before meeting a new character, coincidently Theo's love interest is played by Johansson. The two films also have Tokyo as a link, 'Lost in Translation' is set in Tokyo where as in 'Her' Tokyo is partially used as a future Los Angeles. Both films cinematography is widely praised, the dreamlike, quiet and melancholic aesthetic of both films are complimented by their scores and soundtracks. Lost in Translation's soundtrack features tracks from brilliant bands and artists such as Irish-English band 'My Bloody Valentine' which along with The Jesus and Mary Chain likely inspired Kevin Shields' Shoegazey original score , contrasting MBV are Simon and Garfunkel who's serene folky track 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' works with the melancholic lonely aesthetic of the film, Squarepusher's iconic experimental electronic sound compliments the futuristic setting of modern day tokyo.

Her's beautiful original score is composed by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire and Owen Pallet who is often credited as an arranger and instrumentalist with Arcade Fire as well as collaborating with experimental post rock band 'Xiu XIu' in their 2021 album 'OH NO', the hauntingly intimate score perfectly complements the films themes. The music evokes a plethora of emotions ranging from the warmth of love and intimacy to the cold melancholy of loneliness.