The opening shot of “Paris Lockdown” features a street singer, two people dancing, and scores of others enjoying themselves near the Eiffel Tower. Given the film’s title, the image is surprising—even shocking. But with the second shot—the same plaza although now deserted—we realize that the filmmaker Beraat Gokkus has brilliantly used narrative contrast to accentuate the emotional impact of COVID. What follows is Paris—the City of Lights—as we’ve never seen it before.

More about the Making of “Paris Confined”

Beraat Gokkus employs a variety of techniques in this movie, which he refers to as an “experimental short documentary.” In addition to narrative contrast, the film contains dramatic close-ups, silhouettes, repeated clips, and pastel art pieces. The film was shot on an iPhone X with the FiLMiC Pro camera app.

If you want to see more work of Beraat Gokkus check out “The Lost Pen” which this magazine recently featured. That post includes an interview with the director. You can also catch up with Gokkus on Instagram and on Twitter.

# # #

The editors of MobileMovieMaking have chosen “Paris Lockdown” as the Mobile Movie of the Week.