Director= Phillip Noyce
Author (of the book)=Lois Lowry
Released=2014
Budget= $25,000,000
Run time=97 minutes
The movie begins with the Studio Canal ident, as well as the TWC ident. When the TWC ident begins, the soundtrack begins and unusually
the ident is in black and white. Then appears the Walden media one. This is also in black and white. However when it moves into a circle, the circle flashes red for a few seconds. I noticed that this could be representing something that happens later in the film, also in the book. The movie/ book is set in black and white as colour has been removed from where it is set. However, one of the first things that the main character sees in colour is a red apple (although it is a red ball in the book) and this is a very significant moment in the the film but especially in the book and i believe that this is a reference to that moment.
There is then a cut to a black background with white text over. This helps establish the genre slightly as its simplicity, combined with the music creates an almost futuristic feeling. The text explains about a community, and how it way built. This gives background information to the film. There is a sentence that says "All memories of the past were erased" this suggests that the film is set in the future and helps the viewer to understand what the film is about. The non-diegetic music is still audible and is building up tension and atmosphere.
There is then an ariel shot of a city. It is in black and white. There are some identical house that again, look very futuristic. The city looks very uniform and almost sterile. Some people can be seen walking around. The camera is moving very fast which could suggest to action later on in the film. It also gives a sense that the film is fast-paced. This shot also establishes where the film is set.
A voice-over begins, a young, American man can be heard. He is speaking about equality. He is describing where he lives. It seems very perfect. However, at this point, the non-diegetic music in the background becomes much more dramatic which adds an eerie feeling. There is an establishing shot of some grass, a house and some children playing together. This scene has connotations of happiness, fun and perhaps family although the black and white filter somehow doesn't fit this.
The voice-over (perhaps a main character or narrator) is talking about different rules that everyone must follow. There is a long shot of children sitting around a circular table with what seems to be a teacher instructing them. The boy in the voice-over talks about how they must wear assigned clothing. At this point, a young girl and boy can be seen sitting together. In terms of mise-en-scene, they look very happy, and their hair looks perfect. Their clothes are very tidy and clean and also very basic.
As the voice-over speaks about these rules, they slide across the screen in a white font. This emphasizes them.
There is a cut to a low angle shot of the treetops. The title then appears. The font for the title is very simplistic and futuristic which further helps to establish the genre.
'could be representing something that happens later in the film' = foreshadowing
ReplyDeleteAnother way you could show APPLYING research is colour filtering 1 or more ident, as you noted here!