Sonority and ambiance in the movies: White dog and The Mission

Abstract

Based on studies of the German theorist Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, his instigating concept of Stimmung, and various layers of its meaning (climate, atmosphere, sound, moods, ambience), we intended to explore how this aesthetic category influences construction and reading of cinematographic work. Our reflections will focus on the sound dimension of the film, specifically on music or soundtrack, and how it is part of Stimmung, suggesting effects of intense presence that resize the work. We will present two films to reflect on the concept: White dog (1982), by Samuel Fuller and The Mission (1986), by Roland Joffé; both with soundtrack/score by the acclaimed Italian composer Ennio Morricone. We will also investigate how Stimmung permeates several stages of the process of creating music, that becomes an intrinsic part of the composer’s praxis.