The Matrix: That’s the question everyone is asking…and we have the answer!

When The Matrix was released in 1999, viewers were introduced to a strange virtual world dominated by the color green. Thus, directors Lana and Lily Wachowski, accompanied by cinematographer Bill Pope, made a clear distinction between the real world and its dark colors and the matrix dominated by green.

Welcome to the real world

This choice of lighting continued in Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, with the characters still evolving in the same fake world. But why did the creators of the saga choose to use this color? It was necessary to distinguish the real world from the computer simulation, but why was this color used in the end?

The explanation is very simple: it’s a reference to old computers, as explained especially by Matrix Resurrections cinematographer Daniel Massaches. “The dominant color of the matrix was green because old computers displayed green text on a black background. So the matrix was green”He indicated in the columns of the Premier in December 2021.

The dominant color of the matrix was green, because older computers displayed green text on a black background. So the matrix was green.

Mysterious lines

Also, the green lines we see scrolling through the screen in the movie, especially in the first scene, are none other than… sushi recipes! In October 2017, designer Simon Whiteley announced this during an interview with the site cnet.com.

After rejecting the first design, whose characters were not traditional enough for their liking, the Wachowskis, who wanted to accept the renderings. “More Japanese, More Manga” Then he called this young artist.

He then used his wife’s cooking manuals to create the code, then ran it across the screen from top to bottom, as is traditionally done in a Japanese writing format called tategaki.

“Matrix Code was relatively easy to create, the weirdest thing I’ve ever created, it’s the most iconic and memorable.he said during the interview Wired in 2019.

A style change for the 4th movie

After 22 years, cinematographers John Toll and Daniel Masachesi decided to change the visual approach for Matrix Resurrections, leaving out the green tint of the Matrix. For Part 4, Lana Wachowski asks the duo to take inspiration from artist Caravaggio, known for his style that oscillates between bright light and dark.

“We moved away from green to find these brilliant colors. We wanted to create a beautiful reality that doesn’t exist. See something beautiful. The story is no longer monochrome, it unfolds like a rainbow. It’s not about one person, it’s about everyone.”Daniel Massaches analyzes.

We turned away from the green to find these brilliant colors. We wanted to create a beautiful reality that does not exist.

The latter also single-handedly took the reins of the Matrix Resurrections image after John Tolle’s departure due to health issues in his family. After taking a very pragmatic, story-driven and very controlled visual approach in the original trilogy, Lana Wachowski wanted to do a 180-degree turn.

Thus, the director and his cinematographer favor improvisation on the set: spontaneity in the choice of framing and the use of natural light were the credos of the two artists.

“I worked for several days Speed ​​racer then Cloud Atlas. It was probably the first time that Lana and Lily Wachowski filmed on real locations.”recalls in an interview with Massaccesi IndieWire.

“They were a little worried about the lack of control, but eventually realized that they loved the quality of natural light and the ability to capture unique moments. They also realized that they have to absorb trouble when it occurs – we have to be ready to shoot. Advantage in the moment when something unprepared appears and seems good to us”he specifies.

If you want to rewatch the saga while taking red pills, it is available on the Max platform. Resurrections is also available on Netflix.