Lighting is an important aspect of cinematography because using lighting techniques. Filmmakers can produce specific effects, accentuate significant objects and figures, create a certain mood, and add to the plot and atmosphere of the film (Malkiewicz, 2012, p. 102). Captain Phillips is an American film based on the real events that were directed by Paul Greengrass and released in 2013. The film tells the true story about Captain Richard Phillips starred by Tom Hanks, whose Maersk Alabama ship was hijacked by the Somali pirates in 2009 ( Captain Philips , 2013). The scenes of the film mainly represent the situations on Maersk Alabama ship, and they are focused on the interaction between Captain Phillips and the Somali pirates; thus, the light is used extensively to reflect the tension of the relations, accentuate moods and atmospheres, and highlight objects and phenomena important to understand the director’s vision and idea. Lighting in the first scenes of the film is used to demonstrate the contrast between the life of Captain Phillips and his wife Andrea and the life of many people in Somalia. The fill light technology is used to represent the peaceful life of Captain Phillips in his home. The light is soft, and it seems to be natural. The light that is used to represent the Somali pirates preparing for the attack is also natural, but the focus is on contrasts between the light background and darkened figures in the foreground ( Captain Philips , 2013). There are no directional lights on the actors, and the characters are perceived as the natural parts of the environment (Malkiewicz, 2012, p. 108). This technique is similar to silhouetting, and it is used throughout the film to create a tense atmosphere and add to the naturalism of the scenes because of the focus on changes in the daylight. The other important scene to be discussed in terms of the use of lighting is the attack of the Maersk Alabama ship by the Somali pirates. This scene represents the fringe between the peaceful voyage of the ship and the further sufferings of Captain Phillips. The fill light is used to imitate the daylight (Malkiewicz, 2012, p. 104). Much attention is paid to the soft front light and bright backlight. As a result, the shadow areas are large, and the actors’ faces are highlighted only when there are close-ups (Malkiewicz, 2012, p. 154). The technique creates the effect of the audience’s presence on board when the shadows change according to the changes of daylight, and a person can see only those objects that are directly in front of him or her. This technique adds to the plot, and it is used to demonstrate the shock of Captain Phillips being attacked by several Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse ( Captain Philips , 2013). If the bright light of the background creates contrasts to represent the situation on board, the other technique is used to demonstrate the behavior of the crew hiding in the ship’s engine room. The space in the engine room is limited, and minimal lighting with vivid light spots is used to accentuate the tense atmosphere and the rising fear of the crew (Malkiewicz, 2012, p. 107). This lighting is warm, and the use of red tones in lighting contributes to creating an atmosphere of anxiety and t