Team Deakins A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with Joe Walker - Part 2
Jul 16, 2025
In this insightful discussion, film editor Joe Walker, celebrated for his collaborations with Denis Villeneuve, explores the depths of Richard Brooks’ 'In Cold Blood' and Jean-Pierre Melville’s 'Army of Shadows.' He analyzes the film’s unique rhythm, contrasting its deliberate pacing with sudden violence. Joe shares the emotional resonance of minimalist storytelling and the art of editing. He also reflects on character dynamics amidst war and how watching slower films can refresh creative thinking, drawing unexpected parallels between filmmaking and fishing.
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Melville's Tense, Detailed Scenes
- Melville uses long, tension-filled scenes like the prison van ride to immerse viewers in the fear and uncertainty of resistance life.
- Scenes like the careful packing and walking show the meticulous, measured pacing to build emotional weight effectively.
Intimacy Highlights Isolation
- Melville's film strips away intimacy, highlighting the cold and soulless nature of resistance work.
- Moments of intimacy stand out, emphasizing the emotional cost and isolation of the characters.
Quiet RAF Plane Tenderness
- A quiet, tender scene in the RAF plane shows the ordinary human gestures amidst war's chaos.
- The scene emotionally resonates by appreciating each person's role in the conflict with understated acting.
