There are several instances within the movie where the photography and camera angle contribute to the underlying thematic elements of the pursuit of the American Dream and the lack of social mobility in industrialized America:
-The beginning of the film features the camera angle first from above a herd of sheep, then above a crowd of working class Americans heading to work, in attempt to dehumanize them. The pace at which they move seems like clockwork, and a later scene showcasing them under machinery and subservient to the factory indicates their lower social status than even inert objects in the eyes of the upper classes.
-Even in a black and white movie, the factory lacks contrast indicating a dirty and run down environment and adding to the monotony of an industrialized work day.
-In several city scenes, camera angles are tilted and coupled with clashing music to indicate the frantic nature of city life particularly for the working class and their lack of time for proper leisure
-A couple scenes clearly showcase the middle and upper classes stronghold over the working class in regards to Chaplin's girlfriend(?), the first one being where the policemen are interrogating her at her home and sitting at her table where her father set, and also where she is seen stealing a loaf of bread she is tattered and on the ground with everyone standing around her, both indicating her inability to control her own future, rather leaving it in the hands of authorities devoid of emotion or sympathy towards her.
-I think the best example of photography in this movie involves the scene where Chaplin and his girl are seen escaping society and walking down a lonely road in front of a house with a yard overgrown with weeds. After sitting down in the barren yard with a background of barren trees, Chaplin is still able to cut to a dream sequence in which they imagine themselves in their own home, realizing the American dream. The fact that this cutscene is cut short by a cop standing over them symbolizes society's unwillingness to not only let them realize the American dream, but to not even imagine reaching it. The police officer standing over them telling them to move along indicates his higher social standing in society, and their inability to find their own niche that will lead to happiness. However, their ability to still hope for a better future despite all this indicates there still is a resilience within the poor American population to work towards one.
-The beginning of the film features the camera angle first from above a herd of sheep, then above a crowd of working class Americans heading to work, in attempt to dehumanize them. The pace at which they move seems like clockwork, and a later scene showcasing them under machinery and subservient to the factory indicates their lower social status than even inert objects in the eyes of the upper classes.
-Even in a black and white movie, the factory lacks contrast indicating a dirty and run down environment and adding to the monotony of an industrialized work day.
-In several city scenes, camera angles are tilted and coupled with clashing music to indicate the frantic nature of city life particularly for the working class and their lack of time for proper leisure
-A couple scenes clearly showcase the middle and upper classes stronghold over the working class in regards to Chaplin's girlfriend(?), the first one being where the policemen are interrogating her at her home and sitting at her table where her father set, and also where she is seen stealing a loaf of bread she is tattered and on the ground with everyone standing around her, both indicating her inability to control her own future, rather leaving it in the hands of authorities devoid of emotion or sympathy towards her.
-I think the best example of photography in this movie involves the scene where Chaplin and his girl are seen escaping society and walking down a lonely road in front of a house with a yard overgrown with weeds. After sitting down in the barren yard with a background of barren trees, Chaplin is still able to cut to a dream sequence in which they imagine themselves in their own home, realizing the American dream. The fact that this cutscene is cut short by a cop standing over them symbolizes society's unwillingness to not only let them realize the American dream, but to not even imagine reaching it. The police officer standing over them telling them to move along indicates his higher social standing in society, and their inability to find their own niche that will lead to happiness. However, their ability to still hope for a better future despite all this indicates there still is a resilience within the poor American population to work towards one.
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