Agni Natchathiram- Analyzing the symmetric screenplay and unique structure

I like the way usually maniratnam introduce his characters in the movie. Strong visual motifs make the metaphor for the character in his films. P.C.shree ram's creative cinematography plays a major role in his movies. In one of my previous posts, I explain those framing elements of the scene from the Guru. Like that interpretations,  Agni Natchathiram also used powerful cinematography for creating a Symmetric structure to the plot. Both characters are introduced with the sun and star(literally by lamb). Like the film title itself. One stands for heat and energetic and another one cold and punishing.

 To create this structure Maniratnam shows the lack of control in both characters in their intro scenes.We see Shankar attacks his higher authority(interviewer), and also Gautham, but he didn't want to behave like that. Of course, Gautham's free will can't allow that but it works for Shankar. Gautham is a form of the law of control. So his characterization didn't allow that. It is very clear at the end Shankar freely enters the antagonist house and warn him harshly, but Gautham didn't.

Let us get into the story, the plot point is when Shankar attacks Gautam's house. And then the cat and mouse screenplay takes the story forward. We can separate every meeting moments of both characters. It can be achieved by analyzing "Who won the scene..?!". Let us look at the story map of the movie.From this map, it is well structured with respect to the timeline of the movie. Both characters have equal priority in their characterization. They have equally 3 winning moments in the film. And eventually, both are losers and winners. In this way, symmetrization is done its duty.

When we talk about characterization, it is clear that both characters find their pairs with respect to their morality. Shankar finds the girl who is same as him. And Gautham chooses from his moral point.In the ending momentsShankarar represented with matchsticks and in the whole film, Gautham showed as a star with his glittering suits. Also, Shankar is a loser at the daytimes and Gautham is a loser at night times. It creates the anger among each character by creating the opposite metaphors.(How dare he winning in my moments).

There is plenty of moments in the movie and which is worth studying screenplay.Maniratnam usually does it in his films. I pick Alai paayuthe for this type of symmetric structure.Eventually, it is the way how Agni Natchathiram nailed the storytelling terms in different perspective. It may old, but I suggest this movie to aspiring filmmakers who want to achieve on the part of good storytelling.

Guru-Meaning of the shots (Cinematography of the scene)

Maniratnam's 2007 biographical drama "Guru" which is loosely based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani.It is hard to find the reasons behind the camera movements and frame's composition in his films. He doesn't want to put random shots without meaning.In this scene, he uses a lot of factors for showing the character's ability and the frame of mind.

    1)In starting(above picture), Malik(chairman of The independent) forces Shyam(played by Madhavan) to tell about Guru Bhai(played by Abhishek).and this scene features Shyam in a medium close-up shot.And the camera panning right to left. When Malik knows Shyam was lying, he compels him to change the argument and forces to speak the truth. Madhavan changes his argument to truthful matters and so camera also changes the direction of panning(Left to Right).

    2)In this frame, we can notice that Shyam's frame improved into mid-close up to close-up. He is larger compare than previous shots. Because he speaks the truth independently
(his background image is the metaphor of it) and growing his strength of argument.

    3)And the next scene we see Guru tries to interrupt between Shyam's argument.But he isn't able to speak.And Malik says "Innum aarambikave illa".(This is like "it is beginning, you can't escape").
Guru really helpless, he can't get a chance to break the argument.So the Table-lamp covers his mouth and hiddenly says"Shut-up". The camera doesn't overpass his mouth, it is accurately placed in his mouth.So that lamp is used to achieve the character's "ability-showing".

   4)Shyam's size increases rapidly in the next shot.He speaks more truth so he occupies more screen space compare than two previous shots.This technic wisely crafted for showing the precision of the character.His size symbolize he became powerful in that scene.And the panning sequence continues till characters placed in their places.

   5)And this frame creates the relationship between characters.It shows Shyam's interruption between Guru and Malik.

   6)At the end of the scene, Guru wants to define himself.And he says,"Ennai azhikka ungalaala,intha newspaperala ethaalayum mudiyathu..".And he walks forward and gets closer to the audience.At this moment he portrayed as a big figure compares than others.The camera slightly moves upward(Tilt-up shot) to show the greatness of Guru Bhai.And hiddenly symbolize himself as a winner of the scene.

No Country for Old Men-First scene analysis

      Coen brothers movies are really challenging for the audience to digest their film-making style and how they handle realism.When it comes to 'No Country For Old Men', it also requires multiple views for understanding the shots and frames.Consider the very first scene after the narration of old sheriff.

  1)A fade-in shot with 3 major objects.Gun, Handcuff, and siren of the car, they reveal the theme of the movie and tells "It is about law-makers and law-breakers".This is a long shot and these objects are placed on the right side and the left side occupied by the endless road.It stands for "Journey". So the idea of the scene is "Journey with law and justice".

  2)The next shot which longs 6 seconds shows the stun-gun and it enters inside the car.It exhibits that this gun may become our major object through this journey.

  3) Chigurh's face is covered by shadow.This is for showing the nature of our antagonist. And this frame can be separated by 3 layers, and they are Sheriff, Steel bar and Chigurh.And it looks like,"The Beast in the Cage".

    4) This Scene filled with details which speak about the characterization of Chigurh in the movie.In this scene, we can see brightness and darkness that separated by the invisible center line.Chigurh sits in the region of darkness and represents that, "Symbol of evil".

     5)And the next is the curious scene with more than 10 shots.In the First 5 shots, sheriff's face is the only thing visible in the scene to show his struggle.After we can see Chigurh's face with avoidance of sheriff's face.

   6)Next two shots are placed to showing  Chigurh's activities, he washes his hands and leaves the place.This low- angle shot refers the view of God.It means "God looks the sin of every man, he will not forget even they wash their hands in the holy water".And the next show the marks on the ground, which tells that "Man leaves his sin on the land".And Chigurh leaves the place with stun-gun.