Role of “looking” in Shadowsinthepalace
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Discuss the role of “looking” in movie Shadows in the Palace. How do the acts of watching and being watched play out in terms of the story, the themes, and the formal features of the film(for example, the camera angles and editing of the shots? (While writing this essay, I would like you to give out one to two examples with details and vivid description for how the acts of “looking” play out, in response to the story, the theme and the formal features(in total no less than 5 examples). Our professor also stressed that plot summary is redundant and only references to specific scenes in the movie are required for a good grade. )
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Shadows in the Palace is a South Korean film that explores the lives of women who lived in the palace during the Joseon Dynasty. The film centers around a young court lady, Mok-rin, who is tasked with investigating the death of a palace maid. Throughout the film, “looking” plays a crucial role in the story, themes, and formal features of the film.
One example of the role of “looking” in the story is the act of surveillance. Throughout the film, Mok-rin and the other palace ladies are constantly watched by their superiors, as well as by each other. This creates a sense of paranoia and mistrust among the palace inhabitants, as they are always on guard and aware of the possibility of being watched. This is exemplified in the scene where Mok-rin discovers the dead body of the palace maid. The camera angle is positioned behind the curtains, emphasizing the idea that someone is always watching from behind the scenes.
Another example of the role of “looking” in the story is the act of observing. Mok-rin’s investigation into the death of the palace maid requires her to pay close attention to the details and observe the actions of the other palace ladies. This is exemplified in the scene where Mok-rin visits the palace maid’s room and observes the blood stains on the floor, which leads her to suspect that the death was not accidental. The camera angle is positioned close to the floor, emphasizing the idea that Mok-rin is closely observing the evidence.
In terms of the themes, the act of “looking” serves as a metaphor for power dynamics. The palace ladies are constantly watched by their superiors, which reinforces their subservient position in the palace hierarchy. This is exemplified in the scene where Mok-rin is scolded by her superior for disobeying the palace rules, and the camera angle is positioned from above, emphasizing the power imbalance between them.
In terms of formal features, the use of camera angles and editing of shots serves to create a sense of voyeurism. The audience is positioned as a viewer, watching the palace ladies and their interactions. This is exemplified in the scene where Mok-rin is observing.
In terms of formal features, the use of camera angles and editing of shots serves to create a sense of voyeurism. The audience is positioned as a viewer, watching the palace ladies and their interactions. This is exemplified in the scene where Mok-rin is observing the palace ladies during their daily routines, and the camera angle is positioned from a distance, giving the audience the feeling of being a distant observer.
The role of “looking” in Shadows in the Palace plays a crucial role in the story, themes, and formal features of the film. The acts of surveillance, observing, and voyeurism serve to create a sense of paranoia, mistrust, and power dynamics among the palace inhabitants. The use of camera angles and editing of shots serves to create a sense of voyeurism for the audience, allowing them to observe the palace ladies and their interactions.

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