Fennell's Heights: Artistry Unleashed

Director Emerald Fennell and cinematographer Linus Sandgren collaborated on a passionate and fearless adaptation of "Wuthering Heights," liberating themselves from traditional realism. Their aim was to translate a 14-year-old's heightened emotional response to Emily Brontë's novel into a cinematic experience.

Sandgren and Fennell focused on creating a self-contained world with its own logic, driven by character emotions. They utilized extreme weather and dramatic color palettes, such as blood-red skies during heartbreak, to visually represent internal feelings.

For instance, rain was used to depict the humiliation of Cathy's father. The estate Thrushcross maintained an everlasting spring, with snow only appearing at Christmas, underscoring the film's departure from literal reality.

The filmmakers chose to shoot on 35mm and VistaVision film to achieve a rich, textured, and organic look. This decision contributed to the tactile quality Fennell desired, enhancing the audience's immersion in the film's emotional landscape.

Sandgren explained that shooting on film offers a moving, organic quality distinct from static digital images, aiding suspension of disbelief and enriching colors. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio was selected as the most enveloping for modern cinemas and to powerfully compose scenes of isolation.

While rigorous planning was crucial, Fennell and Sandgren allowed for improvisation and evolution on set. They drew inspiration from diverse sources, including the internal structure of the heart and trees, to foster a playful and experimental creative process.