Golden
color
The film's title gives a clear hint at the chosen
color palette. Gold is the tone throughout the picture.
Zhang said:"Gold is the color of the emperor. So we
adopt it in the costume designs."
The finery showcases the luxury and elegance of the
royal court. Dragon patterns are used on the robes, with pearls and diamonds all
around. Although fabulous, it's difficult for the emperor to dress himself, as
his outfit weighs tens of kilograms.
And the empress' apparel is little different. There
is no way to put it on without help.
The armor is another triumph in costume design. The
suits and helmets made for Jay Chow, who plays the prince, are gold-plated.
Jay Chow said:"They're so heavy. Sometimes I use
lighter ones as an alternative, which allow me to perform with ease. But for
better visual effect, I have to wear the real ones sometimes. It's uncomfortable
while walking and running, but I want to look perfect on the screen."
It seems the director has found the application of color a way of replacing emotional expression. The gold creates a radiant, lustrous atmosphere.
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