Hanging Lanterns, as seen is some blockbuster films...
The popularity of hanging lanterns is soaring as of late and are appearing in more and more films that hit the big screens.
Paper lanterns are also used heavily in the film industry. The purpose of lanterns in film is not for decoration; instead, these lanterns are used to produce an enormous amount of light. These lanterns have a special name, “chinaballs.” They use bulbs up to six hundred and sixty watts, which is bright enough to simulate daylight in a dark room.
- The Time Traveller’s Wife – when Clare marries Henry the outdoor celebration takes place in her parents back garden. The stage is set for the first dance and the happy couple are surrounded by hanging lanterns that appear to be floating softly in the sky – they are in fact suspended from a metal frame set in a cube around the stage with each lantern suspended individually at varying heights.
- The Karate Kid (2010) – Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan star in the remake of 1980's Karate Kid, outside Dre's (Smith) school you'll notice two large red, oval chinese lanterns, complete with gold tassels. These lanterns are traditionally hung outside houses and temples to ward off evil spirits. Mid way through the film the story moves to the heart of Bejing where Dre and his Mum visit the markets - the streets are littered with nylon hanging lanterns!
- Mamma Mia – At Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) hen party in her Mum’s hotel the outdoor terrace is decorated with Hanging Lanterns. Hanging Lanterns also litter the cliff side to create a serene ambience as the wedding party make their way up to the quaint little church at the top. As the sun goes down the lanterns provide enough light for the wedding party to make their way to the ceremony.
- Twilight – Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) takes Bella (Kristen Stewart) as his date to their High School Prom. They pose for their photo surrounded by white Hanging Lanterns and fairy lights. As they approach the gazebo for the slow, romantic dance of the evening again the scene is filled with round, white, paper hanging lanterns.
- When Tracey finally marries Doug in The Hangover, one of the biggest comedies of 2009, the garden is decorated with white Chinese Lanterns. Each lantern is individually lit to give a serene glow and set a romantic scene.
- Twilight – New Moon; following on from the first film in the Twilight saga, hanging lanterns continue to be used to decorate the film set! This time Bella has a red round, even ribbed paper lantern hanging in her bedroom.
- My Sister’s Keeper – starring Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin. White Chinese Lanterns have been used to decorate the hospital ward when Kate and Taylor attend the patient’s summer party.
- Sweet Home Alabama - in the run up to Melanie Carmichael's wedding to Andrew Hennings we see the wedding reception marquee decorated entirely in white - including white traditional chinese hanging lanterns! The paper lanterns are hung from the sashed marquee ceiling using cord kits providing additional romantic lighting to the chandeliers already running through the centre of the marquee.
- Heroes Season 4 Episode 13 – “Upon this Rock”
After Hiro Nakamura vanishes from Samuel’s carnival he reappears in the markets of Tokyo asking random questions referring to different comic books and science fiction.
Over Hiro’s shoulder you can see numerous different shapes and styles of Chinese hanging lantern, including green and white striped round lanterns and white even ribbed cylindrical paper lanterns.
Hiro is eventually arrested after using a butcher’s knife to free a woman’s handbag from a mugger, when we see yet more white paper lanterns hanging in the marketplace. - They have even popped up in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!
