'Mulan' cinematographer breaks down key moments from the live-action movie

Kirsten AcunaSep 8, 2020, 01:22 IST

Liu Yifei did many of her stunts in the new movie.Walt Disney Studios

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Disney's live-action "Mulan."
Cinematographer Mandy Walker spoke with Insider about bringing the film to life.
Liu Yifei did most of her own stunts and unexpectedly brought one of the film's most beautiful shots to without instruction.

Disney's live-action "Mulan" is available to stream on Disney Plus in the US. While it honors the original, the new film stands on its own with a more serious tone which puts Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei) at the center of an epic action film.

Insider spoke with cinematographer Mandy Walker about the process of bringing the adaptation to life. Walker visited China three times to research the architecture and researched contemporary Chinese cinema and martial arts films to bring the adaptation to life.

Walker took Insider through the process of making specific scenes, the meaning behind a few moments — including the beautiful shot of Mulan with the phoenix near the film's end — and the surprise moment she didn't expect to see captured on camera.

Walker designed the camera to be able to move to capture the fluid action in certain shots.

Bori Khan and his group scale a wall and the action moves with them in camera from their POV early in the film. Walt Disney Studios

Liu Yifei helped create one of the film's most beautifully unexpected shots.

Take a close look at the shot above and you'll see Liu's reflection in the sword. This shot organically happened when Liu held the sword to the camera. Disney

Liu Yifei surprised them with some of the acrobatic moves she would make. Her skills helped Walker capture her in slow motion.

Liu Yifei did many of her stunts in the new movie. Walt Disney Studios

Mulan is almost always in the center of the camera while you're watching.

It's easier to notice this in the movie after you know to look for it. Disney

Walker is especially proud of the large battle sequence against Bori Khan's army.

"Mulan" include Walt Disney Studios

Around 60 horses took part in the large battle sequence.

You may have wondered how much of this was actually computer generated. Disney

The actors worked with snow during the big avalanche scene.

Mulan causes an avalanche in a different way in the live-action movie. Disney

There was a lot of thought put into how much violence they could show.

Xianniang kills quite a number of men effortlessly in "Mulan." Walt Disney Studios

Another memorable location to film was in the throne room.

Jet Li plays the Emperor in "Mulan." Walt Disney Studios

The phoenix moment is meant to pay tribute to and honor Mulan's ancestors.

Mulan joins a recent group of woman to have a wingspan behind her. Disney

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