Extra Credit on Darya Zhuk’s Crystal Swan (2018)


Crystal Swan focuses on Velya, a young adult who longs to leave her country to go to America to become a DJ. She carries the typical feelings of someone who longs to acquire what they believe is the glamorous American dream: anxiety, hope, and great excitement. Along with longing for this difficult music career, the viewer can see that music itself plays an important role in the film. The viewer hears Velya herself listening to music while she’s waiting, which reminds me of her waiting and wishing to have her musical dreams come true, and to see the birthplace of house music in Chicago. On the bus, she is called a freak, and instantly puts her headphones on to block the sound out. This shows how music is used as her own escape from reality and drama.

She learns that coming to America is not so easy, as she worries about the issue of previous poverty may cost her to not be able to get her visa. Ironically, what inhibits her from getting her visa is her own mistake of writng down the wrong phone number of a company she pretended to work at. This causes major stress on her, which could have been avoided with more diligence. The scenes where Velya’s hair is blue reflects how she herself is daring and bold to leave her country for her passion that isn’t surely promised. She is eccentric, but must deal with her mother disapproving of what she does.

The vivid colors present in this film remind me of house music itself, and how it’s often happy and makes people want to dance. I believe that these bright colors also allude hope, and that despite all the harsh triumphs that Velya faces, having a dream is a power itself. Some bright uses of color were shown on the bright light green stairs that Velya passes and the elegantly designed tapestries that she laid on. Lastly, I thought it was interesting that the film was shot in the aspect ratio of 4:3. I thought this could have been utilized to give a vintage-look since this movie took place in the 90s, and also to demonstrate how Velya felt trapped and confined in her country, longing to follow her passion.

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