A frail, elderly man, a Buddhist monk, kneels down in a dimly lit, sparse monastery room, his austere lifestyle reflected in the bare surroundings. The camera shot is a medium long shot from a high angle, aimed downwards that creates the feeling of the man’s weakened state and vulnerability, placing audience in a dominant perspective.
The lighting is soft, merely the muted grey morning light that filters through a single small window, creating a stippled pattern on the worn wooden floor and over the man, accenting the wrinkles on his face and hands. The mise-en-scene has a muted brown-grey palette, emphasizing the serene simplicity.
The man is positioned centrally, with empty space around him that gives a sense of solitude. The focus shifts subtly; from the overall shot to the man’s face and expressive eyes, telling a story of resilience amidst a severe lifestyle. The camera is static to mirror the monk’s stillness and the tranquility of the room.