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Film: An in-depth look into Richard Mosse's infrared filming technique for "The Enclave"

Date
6 June 2013
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It’s the work that everyone’s talking about, Richard Mosse’s infrared film shot in the heart of Congo that was shown this year at the Venice Biennale in the Irish pavilion. In this short documentary produce by frieze, Richard explains the ideas behind the film and the history behind the method itself. It turns out that infrared film, which picks up chlorophyl from only the healthiest living plants, was produced in the 1940s by the military to help them see enemies hiding out in the bushes.

The infrared light that it picks up is entirely invisible to the human eye, and reveals a candy-floss pink, ultra bright world. Richard took this method of filming to the Congo, mirroring it’s nature with the nature of the country itself, and highlighting the relatively unknown levels of war conflict and violence (5.4 million people have been killed there since 1998)

A landscape with vibrant red foliage bordering a deep blue body of water. A few small figures stand on a path among the red trees.
Above

Richard Mosse: _Still from The Enclave

A group of people in reddish-brown uniforms and caps stand in a landscape of pink trees. Several of them carry weapons, including a rocket launcher held by a person in the foreground.
Above

Richard Mosse: _Still from The Enclave

Two people in camouflage gear stand by a rushing blue river. The surrounding forest is rendered in vivid, surreal shades of red and pink.
Above

Richard Mosse: _Still from The Enclave

A person in camouflage clothing and a red beret holds a rifle across their shoulder. They stand in a field of tall, bright pink grass.
Above

Richard Mosse: _Still from The Enclave

A group of people walk along a dusty road lined with trees that have been rendered in a vivid, surreal red. In the background, a person on a motorbike travels away from the camera towards a distant building.
Above

Richard Mosse: _Still from The Enclave

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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