Writer and director Ryan Coogler, known for his innovative storytelling, has embarked on a new cinematic journey with his latest film, Sinners. He has a profound understanding that cinema possesses a unique capability to convey emotions and narratives that words often fail to express. One such narrative is beautifully encapsulated in a sequence from the initial drafts of the film, which Coogler refers to as the surreal montage. This particular scene unfolds in a fictional juke joint located in rural Mississippi, where the atmosphere comes alive through the performance of young blues musician Sammie, portrayed by Miles Caton. The music conjures the rich legacy of Black musicians across generations, seamlessly connecting everything from West African drumming to contemporary hip-hop.

Coogler emphasizes that only the art of cinema, with its intricate blend of movement, composition, color, choreography, music, rhythm, and spoken expression, can truly encapsulate the historical and cultural significance of Mississippi blues. This genre has had a profound influence on the evolution of music over time, shaping various genres and cultures along the way. Explaining this concept on IndieWires Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, Coogler pointed out that if audiences are willing to embrace fantastical elements like vampires, then they should also appreciate the way film can intertwine the threads of Black music history to evoke a sense of immortalitywithout the involvement of the supernatural.

Its about that feeling of being at a live performance of any art, Coogler shared. When you witness a virtuoso at work, surrounded by others who share your appreciation for the art form and understand the artist's background, a collective euphoria emerges. It feels like being caught in a storm system of emotions, creating a feedback loop that resonates with everyone present. Ive experienced moments like that, where you feel immortal, existing outside of time and space, almost as though another presence joins you.

As Coogler circulated the script for Sinners, first with his producing partners Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian, and later with the Warner Bros. team, the feedback was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. This was the scene my department heads were most excited about, Coogler remarked. However, it was Ludwig Gransson, Cooglers long-time collaborator and composer, whose enthusiasm truly indicated to Coogler that he was onto something remarkable. Ludwig is typically very composed, so to see him that excited was a clear sign that we had created something special, he added.

Gransson, whose passion for the project was palpable, was among the first of Cooglers filmmaking associates to express an eagerness to engage with the montage. When I read the script, I was completely blown away, said cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw. The visuals practically leaped off the page, and I could envision how rich and textured the lighting would be for the scenes Coogler had crafted.

The production team had only one day to film the intricate montage, capturing Catons evocative rendition of I Lied to You, which serves as a bridge between the past and future of musical legacies. Durald Arkapaw and her crew utilized an 80-pound IMAX camera on a steadicam, meticulously navigating the juke joint in two sections. The dramatic reveal of the juke joint engulfed in flames was later enhanced using visual effects, stitched together from a separate shot of the burning roof.

Durald Arkapaw praised the beauty and complexity of the scene, stating, Ryans writing was layered with depth. It required careful planning, previs, and rigorous rehearsals to ensure we captured the essence of the moment. This sequence exemplifies why both of us were drawn to the IMAX format for Sinners.

She elaborated, The IMAX frame is distinct because it requires the viewer's eye to scan the image, unlike traditional films that present an image that can be consumed without movement. This scanning facilitates the building of connections between musicians across various eras as the surreal montage evolves, with the camera swirling like a magic cauldron.

Reflecting on the filming experience, Durald Arkapaw remarked, The surreal montage expanded into something greater during production. Everyone was incredibly inspired because it held so much significance. It was a collaborative effort at the highest level, weaving together numerous cultures.

According to Gransson, the genuine essence of the surreal montage emerged from the immediacy of live performance. Months of preparation went into planning this scene, with every department collaborating to map out the details. I created a rough video of the take and composed music to accompany it. We returned to the stage for just one day of filming, he explained. Each shot delivered a glimpse into the rich tapestry of musical histories, all coming alive in that instantaneous moment.

Wunmi Mosaku, who portrays Annie in the film, shared her thoughts on the beautiful moments that unfolded during production. One memory that stands out is when Papa Toto and Miles were conversing between takes. Their conversation echoed themes that resonate in the film, bridging the present with ancestral ties. It felt surreal to be part of such a momentknowing we were doing something profound.

Gransson faced the challenge of ensuring that the various musical styles harmonized cohesively. The score for the montage, aptly titled Magic What We Do, was crafted in collaboration with Grammy-winning songwriter Raphael Saadiq, based on I Lied to You. The music needed to feature solos that highlighted each genre while also weaving a unifying thread throughout, showcasing Catons powerful vocals.

In order to connect the diverse musical elements, Gransson turned to original instruments, including a vintage 1932 Dobro Cyclops slide guitar and the original drum machine beat that marked the dawn of hip-hop. The mixing process also played a significant role in achieving this fusion, utilizing Dolby Atmos technology to create a three-dimensional sound experience that enveloped the audience.

The brilliance of the surreal montage lies in its ability to leverage both cutting-edge technology and artistic craftsmanship to communicate the ineffable qualities of the blues, the films characters, and the universal human experience of storytelling across generations. Youre viewing the film through an exquisitely crafted lens, and entering the IMAX dimension feels like a glimpse behind the curtain, revealing the very soul of the character. It draws you deeper into the narrative, transforming the viewing experience into something truly immersive, Durald Arkapaw noted.

As anticipation builds for Sinners, the film is now showing in theaters, poised to resonate with audiences in a profound way. Marcus Jones contributed additional reporting on this exciting project.