Explain how the production context of Citizen Kane influenced the “look and feel” of the end product. (100 words)
Chiaroscuro lighting is a lighting technique which is used several times throughout the film. The harsh, crisp shadows are used to show when a character is in a vulnerable situation and inferior to the other characters in the scene. The impact of the shadows is heightened due to Citizen Kane being a Noir film since there is a greater contrast between areas of light and extreme darkness. This technique effects the “look and feel” of the film by expressing Kane’s loss of authority and control over his life. This is shown by the dark shadows “dragging” the character into the background.