Great storytellers utilize every resource at their disposal to effectively convey narratives, with characters, dialogue, and setting being key elements. However, color, often overlooked, has been a potent tool in storytelling since ancient times. Since its introduction to film and television, color has added depth to visual narratives, acting as an additional character capable of conveying emotions and messages without words.
Throughout this series, we will explore the significance of color in storytelling, delving into its general symbolism and its varied interpretations across different cultures. By examining how color is used in film, we can gain a deeper understanding of its role in enhancing storytelling and evoking powerful responses from audiences.
From the sun-soaked landscapes of Westerns to the muted corridors of psychological thrillers, yellow manifests in a multitude of forms, each imbued with significance. At its core, yellow radiates with warmth, often symbolizing joy, optimism, and enlightenment. Think of Maximus in Gladiator (2000) walking through the field of wheat that dances in the breeze, symbolizing his longing to be back at his farm comfortable and warm with his family. In such instances, yellow becomes a visual symphony, orchestrating emotional crescendos that resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.
Wes Anderson has proven to be a master of set design and shot composition with his utilization of colors in his work. His use of yellow has demonstrated feelings of happiness and relaxation (as well as jealousy and betrayal). However, in his short film, Hotel Chevalier (2007), the color yellow was designed to communicate tranquility and peace — even if the characters struggle to recognize it.
Yellow is also a recurring motif throughout films to symbolize hope, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. We see in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), that follows the dysfunctional Hoover family on a road trip to a children’s beauty pageant, the family’s bright yellow Volkswagen van serves as a metaphor for their journey toward self-discovery and personal growth, despite facing numerous obstacles along the way.
On the other end of the spectrum, yellow can take on a darker hue in noir films casting shadows that cloak characters in ambiguity and intrigue. Here, the sickly glow of street lamps cast long, ominous shadows, hinting at the moral ambiguity lurking within the narrative’s depths. Yellow becomes a harbinger of danger, a warning sign amidst the gloom, its presence signaling peril and uncertainty.
In Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City (2005), the character Yellow Bastard represents the epitome of violence, depravity, and amorality within the corrupt and grim world depicted in the film. His yellow skin and eerie demeanor, sets him apart from other characters in the film, emphasizing his otherness and malevolence. His yellow skin, in particular, symbolizes sickness, decay, and moral corruption, reflecting the depths of depravity to which he has descended.
In the hands of visionary directors, yellow becomes a narrative device, a visual motif that weaves through scenes like a golden thread, connecting disparate elements into a cohesive tapestry of meaning. Take, for instance, the iconic films of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Denis Villeneuve where yellow saturates every frame, yellow isn’t just a color; it’s a character unto itself.
Yellow is such an outlandish color on its own, so an entire shot composed of yellow items will almost always be a direct statement from the director. Deciphering that statement is up to the viewer. Much like a scene from Iñárritu’s 2014 film, Birdman, where Sam eviscerates the main character, every object in this shot carries a yellow tint. From her hair to the background behind her, this striking yellow overload conveys a sense of assertiveness and judgment.
Did you know that Giallo actually means yellow in Italian? The term was coined for the Italian gene films of the 60 and 70s that were highly stylized and violent with mysterious killers mostly. They received the name because it is a reference to a series of pulp crime novels released with bright yellow covers in Italy. When it comes to the use of color’s, the Giallo is a standard bearer for bright vibrant colors and the dark ominous tones. Perhaps the best and most recognizable example of this is Dario Argento’s 1977 classic, Suspiria.
The color yellow is threaded throughout the film constantly opposing itself in meaning. From illness and disorientation to joy and youth, Argento utilizes the color yellow during pivotal moments to help the viewer take notice. There is use of yellow from the beginning during the iconic death sequence all the way through to the end reveal. Although some may not be noticeable at first, rewatching the film with this in mind will make its use shine like the blaring sun on a clear summer day.
With all its vibrancy and vitality, yellow can trick the viewer into a false sense of security while watching a scene. In one film or scene, it may signify hope and renewal; in another, it may mean doom and destruction. This is the beauty of film: it invites interpretation, inviting audiences to peel back the layers of meaning like Shrek peeling an onion. So, the next time you find yourself in front of the silver screen and you see the golden glow of sun-drenched landscapes or cloaking characters in noirish shadows, hopefully, you can recognize yellow’s perpetual weaving from subtle to bold meaning the color can convey.
What do you think the color yellow can mean in movies? Do you have an example of it’s use in a film that made an impact on you?
Explore the rest of the Color as a Character series here.
