by Diana Crandall
Black and white film is making a comeback.
In a phone interview on Nov. 12, Academy-Award winning Director Alexander Payne revealed the method behind his craft regarding his latest film, “Nebraska.”
Payne, who is known for his films “The Descendants” and “Sideways” says that “Nebraska” has been over a decade in the making.
Filmed explicitly in black and white, “Nebraska” is showcased with a dramatic Western backdrop shot in the dry, barren winter months of 2012.
Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, the film follows a father and son on their journey from Montana to Nebraska to claim prize money. During their travels, the two encounter various relatives, friends, and acquaintances whom the father is in debt to.
Payne asserts that the film was always planned for a black and white debut.
“When I first read the script nine years ago, I imagined it only in black and white. The very austere nature of the screenplay to me suggested a visual style in black and white. Briefly I shot digitally, but the film was designed entirely for black and white.
“As far as audiences being used only to color, that’s true, but still, people know black and white exists. Black and white never left fine art photography.
It’s a beautiful form. Younger people who have only seen color TVs haven’t seen black and white movies and don’t know that our great film heritage is largely in black and white,” said Payne.
Released in theaters Nov. 15, Nebraska has been highly revered by critics, and is regarded by many as an Academy favorite for the upcoming award season.
