In this conversation, we explore why black-and-white film often feels more emotionally ‘real’ than the colorful world we live in. We discuss Peter Ustinov’s choice to film Billy Budd without color and examine how moral tension, contrast, and simplicity shape the viewer’s perception. By comparing audience reactions, film theory, and examples from cinema history, we analyze why certain illusions can feel more truthful than literal reality. We also connect these ideas to aesthetic concepts from our course, including subjective beauty and the power of emotional focus. Join us as we break down the fascinating relationship between perception, realism, and the visual language of film.