From Dark to Light - An Analysis of Lighting and Colour Stylistics in Chopper

'This article explores a 'dark' style in the context of Australian cinema through the prison film, "Chopper" (Andrew Dominik, 2000). I examine how this film represents imprisonment through its lighting and colour stylistics and how this specific style of mise-en-scene constitutes a dark tone well suited to the film's subject matter. I also argue that this dark tone is at times balanced with elements of black humour which give a lighter, more flippant perspective on the film's violent moments.'