Defining Visual Elements:

• Low-key + practical lighting

• Interiors emulate a discarded and forgotten

• Americana -Retro muted color palette

• Stylized, yet simple production design

• Use of black limbo/black box-style theatrical sets 

• Centered framing + staged tableaux

THE ROLE OF MUSIC:

Music plays a key role within the film and though Lotería is not a musical per-say, music and performance are used as powerful storytelling tools within the narrative.

Similar to how Lynch uses musical performance in Blue Velvet to express what cannot be put into words, the musical performances in Lotería give us insight into Maria’s inner world, what she’s going through, and where she’s heading. Many of the songs in the film are inspired by/interpretations of songs I grew up with.