Border Extraction, and Strategic Political Advice (Sicario / Nirvana in Fire[Langya Bang,琅琊榜]) #23
In episode 23 we review how Denis Villeneuve uses suspense and dramatic tension in the prisoner extraction scene from Sicario to create an explosive shootout at the US-Mexico border. David's choice this week is from Nirvana in Fire [Langya Bang,琅琊榜], a TV series from China that is #1 on his all-time favourite list. This scene is a short example of how masterful this series is, and we break down exactly how costuming, script writing, acting, and excellent sound production all play a part in one of the best revenge stories ever written for TV and film.
Sicario
Watch on YouTube (0:00 -)
- Full scene pick is across 2 YouTube clips:
- https://youtu.be/ZCiDUfhV43c?t=77
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTGi41SyvZs
- 2015
- Scene: border crossing in and out of Juárez City, Mexico
- warning: contains graphic, grisly images
- Directed by Denis Villeneuve
- Cinematography by Roger Deakins
- The area in the scene: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=11/31.7590/-106.4950
- Navy seal identifies gun technical issue as noted in the audio episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhNqUiBKXmk
Nirvana in Fire / Langya Bang / 琅琊榜
Watch on YouTube
(10:16 - 14:59; 16:48 - 22:02)
Also on: Viki
- Nirvana in Fire is based on a novel written by Hai Yan, who was also approached to write the script for the TV series
- 2 clips occuring in Ep15 from Season 1
- Fun fact: The three main theme songs are sung by all 3 actors (‘When the Wind Blows’ sung by Hu Ge, ‘Faded Beauty’ sung by Liu Tao, ‘Loyal Blood Forever Runs Red’ sung by Wang Kai)