[FIELDWORK] GODZILLA VS. KONG (2021, Adan Wingard), VICTORIA HARBOUR/HONG KONG ISLAND/TSIM SHA TSUI

[FIELDWORK] GODZILLA VS. KONG (2021, Adan Wingard), VICTORIA HARBOUR/HONG KONG ISLAND/TSIM SHA TSUI

Guo Jingyang, 3035853975

This field report will be focusing on the film Godzilla Vs. Kong. This is a 2021 American film directed by Adam Wingard. The film is briefly about the two protagonists of this film; Godzilla and King Kong. The two forces are fighting each other in this film due to conflicts that dates back to their ancestors, as well as to see who is the true Alpha hero. In one of the fight scenes, the two protagonists were fighting in Hong Kong Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui. In only around three minutes of the fight scenes in Hong Kong, the director successful shows the most iconic area in Hong Kong and allowed the audience to immediately recognize Hong Kong.

In both the film and reality, the most iconic buildings, areas, and landscapes are represented nearly exactly the same. This can be seen through the representation of the Lippo Centre, the two IFC towers, Bank of China Tower, the Victoria Harbour view and China Hong Kong City. In details, the building logos as well as local events are also included in the mise en scene. Such as the Symphony of Lights (local light show) that engages with all the buildings everyday at 20:00. The light show not only represents the time and location in Hong Kong, but also makes the fight between more dramatic.

But in contrast, the spacings between the buildings and skyscrapers have been significantly moderated by the editor. As in reality, the buildings in Hong Kong are incredibly dense, hence, unable to fully demonstrate and present the fight between Godzilla and King Kong. Therefore, the editor moves the buildings partially to allow the audience to fully view the fights and actions between Godzilla and King Kong. The film also significantly saturated the lightings. In reality, the lights of the buildings are a lot more warm coloured, rather than bright neon lighting.

The cinematographer, editor and director have invested lot’s in the place and buildings. This is to ensure that the viewers can know the place immediately while viewing as well as fully viewing the fight between Godzilla and King Kong. The lights have been edited to neon themed as it better suits the atmosphere, portraying a sense of virtual reality; meaning although it is a same area, but it is happening in different metaverses. The lights also enhances the viewers experience during the fight scenes, as it adds dramatic elements as well as compliments the mise en scene. Within the fight scenes, both protagonist have interreacted with the skyscrapers, not only to make the scene more interesting, but also reflecting upon the reality of Hong Kong on the compactness of the places. Overall, with the use of cinematography and editing, the film successfully portrays the iconic areas of Hong Kong as well as combining the fights scenes between the two protagonist and the place and buildings.