Explanation video can be found here (in Spanish)

In this video I go through all the cuts, one by one, of the resolution scene of BELOW ZERO (2021). I will explain why this scene is a triangle of looks that determines all the decisions been taken by the characters. They are all very stressed! And there are some impulsive crucial choices that make the tension of this moment explode. It is satisfying, in my opinion.

Miguel, Martin and Nano are all seeking different goals which collapse in their stories: Martin is chasing Miguel, Miguel is chasing Nano, and Nano is chasing his freedom (not from prison, but from Miguel’s chase). But, the turning point of this scene is where this bloody human chain switches from predator and prey: Martin stops holding back Miguel and turns his fury towards Nano (he gets his hand shot at the end of the scene).

Bloody h***. It is an impactful shot. It is the cream of the whole scene, where the audience satisfaction gets realized by punishing the bad. But why is this scene edit so great? There is a very good use of close ups and medium shots that make you penetrate into the rage and stress. In addition to that, the editor chose the shots specifically where the camera movement is significative: such as moment like the first shot of this scene, where we stay in the back of Martin in a handhold technique, that introduces us to the fight moment in a rough manner; such as the roughness that is about to come.

Camera movement in this scene is crucial. Sometimes we go from Martin POV, such as when he stares towards the police helicopter (a shot to understand the placement and situation of the moment), and other times we go in profound close ups of Martin’s eyeballs to create a moment of realization of take of action.

The pace and duration of the shots is also an important aspect to remark from this edit: there are purposely longer and shorter shots to induce stress in different ways. For instance, when Martin stops Miguel from attacking Nano, the cuts are way faster because there is violence such as hits going on, but also mental impulsiveness from Martin. However, whenever Martin finally realizes that Nano committed such a horrible crime (raping and murdering the daughter of Miguel), his takes become waaaaaay more poignant, authoritarian, and scary… The takes there become longer, stronger and more visual-acting focused.

The triangle of looks happens at the end, when Martin decides to shoot Nano, and the editor let’s the camera movement play instead of doing a harsh cut: he let’s the anger from Martin build. At then end, he gets what he wants and realizes that Nano is not the good of the movie, but the bad and sadistic (Nano laughs when he accepts that he did kill the daughter of Miguel).

Movie: BELOW ZERO (2021)
Film edited by Antonio Frutos.