Luciano Tovoli shot Suspiria using one of the last imbibition Technicolor prints, flooding the dance academy with unnatural gel light — primary reds, electric blues and sickly greens laid on with theatrical excess. There is no naturalism here; colour is pure sensation, deep and saturated to the point of menace.
The Suspiria look, scene by scene
Suspiria (1977) is one of the most colourful horror films ever made. Rooms and corridors are flooded with pure red, blue and green light, and the film was printed with a Technicolor dye-transfer process that made colour extra intense.
Red corridors
Blood-red light everywhere. Colour is intense and graphic, shadows are deep.
Suspiria's colour comes from strongly coloured lights in the scene. A recipe can intensify it, but not create it. Use coloured LEDs, gels or neon to flood the space with one colour.
Recipes
Red Corridor
The blood-red lit hallways and stairwells
Best light: Red-lit rooms, red neon or red LEDs. Overdone in normal light.
Film SimulationVelvia/Vivid
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceIncandescent
WB ShiftR+5 / B-1
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+0
Shadow+2
Color+4
Sharpness+1
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity+2
ISOISO 400–800
Why these settings
Velvia/Vivid, Color +4
Maximum saturation.
R+5 / B-1
Pushes everything strongly red.
DR400
Protects bright coloured light from clipping.
Blue Interior
The electric blue-gel rooms
Best light: Blue-lit rooms or blue LEDs at night. Too cold for normal scenes.
Film SimulationVelvia/Vivid
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueStrong
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR-3 / B+5
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+0
Shadow+2
Color+3
Sharpness+1
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity+1
ISOISO 400–800
Why these settings
R-3 / B+5
Pushes the image strongly blue.
Color Chrome FX Blue Strong
Deep, rich blue.
Shadow +2
Deep shadows for a threatening mood.
Green Glow
The sickly green-lit passages
Best light: Green-lit spaces, fluorescent tubes, green LEDs. Wrong for warm light.
Film SimulationVelvia/Vivid
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueWeak
White BalanceFluorescent 2
WB ShiftR-2 / B+0
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+0
Shadow+2
Color+3
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity+1
ISOISO 800
Why these settings
R-2
Pulls out red, pushing towards green.
Velvia/Vivid, Color +3
Intense, unnatural colour.
Fluorescent 2 WB
Adds to the cold, artificial feel.
Kit list
Suspiria · 1977 · DP Luciano Tovoli
The recipe handles colour and tone. These handle what a recipe can't.
For this look
neon & saturated
Ulanzi VL120 RGB pocket light
No neon sign handy? A pocket RGB light becomes your coloured practical — wash a wall, a face or a mirror in magenta and the recipe does the rest.
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Did you nail the look? What to look for
One pure colour floods the whole scene
Very strong saturation
Deep shadows
Unnatural skin colour
Theatrical, almost painted feel
Suspiria recipes — FAQ
Which Fujifilm film simulation is best for a Suspiria look?
Velvia. It produces the most intense colour, which suits Suspiria's pure red, blue and green light.
How do I light a room like Suspiria?
Use one strong coloured light — red, blue or green — and turn off other lights. RGB LED bulbs work well.
Which Fujifilm cameras can use these recipes?
All settings work on current X-Trans V bodies such as the X-T5, X-S20, X-T50 and X100VI. The X-T4, X-S10, X-Pro3 and X100V run them as well, and X-T3-era bodies can use them if you skip Clarity and Color Chrome FX Blue. Every body renders slightly differently, so take a few test shots and adjust.