Nacho Libre (2006) - Teal and Red

Color Palette Focus #3: Jared and Jerusha Hess' Nacho Libre

Co-written by Mike White, cinematography by Xavier Pérez Grobet, production design by Gideon Ponte.

I've posted a story structure breakdown on Nacho before: https://steemit.com/movie/@lionsuit/film-structure-analysis-2-nacho-libre-2006 A fun film, beautiful structure, beautiful imagery, much smarter, sweeter, and funnier than the poster might suggest.

One of the creative tools they use so well is the color palette as a symbol of true character, excitement, and yearning.

In the most simple sense, it is teal and red, the colors of Nacho Libre's costume, that are used for this visual messaging.

If we wanted to be more specific, we could focus primarily on teal even.

The Hess' team threads teal throughout the costumes, props, and set design of so much of the film, and they amp this up or down in line with the story.

To start, teal is prevelant in the monestary, touches and splashes here and there that energize an otherwise boring or basic natural color scheme of browns, yellows, grays, etc.

When Nacho disguises himself for Ramses' party, he wears no teal.

When he tries to fit in with a religious lifestyle not in line with his core being, he wears a brown robe, which at one point literally covers up his teal and red clothing beneath.

When he leaves the monestary after being exposed, the grounds are surprisingly void of teal, of that energy, that life, honesty, hope, and urging.

And when we finally succeed, get a field trip bus for the orphans, and team up with Incarnación, Nacho is dressed in a full body, teal, "fancy" suit, a symbol of being able to fully embrace himself and fight for good in his own way. His teal flag flies high.

Victory! "Yes!"

Be well. http://www.LionSuit.com