The Queen's Gambit (A colour love story)
KEN WORONER/NETFLIX © 2020
Netflix orchestrated a checkmate with the original limited series, The Queen’s Gambit., based on Walter Tevis’s 1983 novel of the same name. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy playing Beth Harmon a child prodigy, the drama unfolds like a chess game playing in real life. Like a queen, she has the power to move wherever she likes, and she does, she is the arbiter of her own destiny side stepping every sexist underestimation. There are almost infinite combinations in a chess match which is mirrored in the highs, lows and twists of the episodes, each interaction and scenario lulling you into false sense of a perceived story outcome. You will have to watch the series to see if she triumphs in the end, but if you are like me, there is definitely a scene or two where you may shed some tears. .
The Cinematography
The queens gambit was truly beautiful to watch, set during the 1950’s and 60’s, the costume and sets will draw you in, but what drove the story was the cinematography by Steven Meizler. The colour and lighting created both bold and subtle accents to each scene. Overall the miniseries was dark, in key scenes light was seemingly prioritised to interactions, whether it be central characters in conversation, or Beth playing by herself leaning over the chess board. Everything else faded away, nothing else was important. The predominant hues of blue from light to ashy grey, would be gently warmed with red, in her triumphant happier moments. More colour is introduced as she steps into her own confidence navigating the next steps in her career. There was no one like her, the chess masters were all men, sometimes the only vibrant colour was the red of her hair, making her stand out from the earlier moments in the confines of the children’s home, right to the the championships in the gloomy halls of the chess matches.
All Photography NETFLIX © 2020
