TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Irreversible

Shot 1 The canted angle connotes the disorientated and disturbing evening

that the protagonists have had. The use of lighting is particularly effective, half of the shot is in darkness and only a fraction that has a red light. This connotes that there is only a small glimpse for the protagonists and that the rest of their night is in the hands of the villains within the clip. Which can be quite typical for an independent Drama, as the audience like to solve enigmas and a very clichéd narrative is that the protagonists always end up on top, however the audience would prefer to see an alternative narrative ending.

The long shot with the focus on the light is particularly important, it connotes that the protagonists have unfulfilled their aims on their night out in Paris. This is also disconnecting the audience from the shot by distancing them, which makes them question as to why this has happened. It is also used to display that there is going to be a problem from the very start of the film (reversing Todorov’s equilibrium theory) this is something that appeals to the sophisticated audience.

The shot continually spirals and changes its movement throughout, the camera is handheld and often shaky. This use of movement connotes that the disequilibrium is out of the protagonists hands, there is nothing that they can do to stop what is inevitable. This technique of filming especially appeals to the sophisticated audience as they like the abnormal and different style that is being approached.

Shot 2 In the same way as the shot before the camera is continually

spinning and swirling around the focus of the shot, which in the particular case is the man shown. The extreme tilt that the man is at is very abnormal from any other style of filming and appeals to the target audience. It connotes that the man is confused as to why everything that has happened that night has happened, perhaps he feels quite disturbed by the events.

The Close Up that is used connotes that the man is feeling anxious and nervous about the events that have just occurred. It creates intimacy between the character and the audience which is another typical convention of an independent drama film.

The lighting in the part of the opening sequence has changed and instead of being gritty and dark (good conventions of an independent drama). There is much more light in this shot compared to the darkness outside in the previous shot. This connotes that the man has authority as he is given more of a focus as opposed to the one light that kept slipping in and out of the shot.

Again the shot is continually moving around which connotes that the night has been very distressing for those involved in what has happened, and because the audience are more sophisticated they will question why the director has chosen to use this style of filming rather than a more typical way.

Shot 3 In the previous two shots there has been one extreme use of

lighting in the first shot where there is very little light and low visibility to a more typical use of lighting in the second shot where we can see the character in full view. Now in the third shot there is ambient lighting which is the main focus of the shot. The light is almost covering most of the shot which connotes that there is hope for the protagonists to find who had brutally beaten and raped Alex. This includes visceral audience pleasures at the aggressive nature of the narrative, the attack and the protagonist’s experience (Alex being raped).

The Medium Shot of the light connotes that everything that has happened over the course of the night is now in the past and that there is nothing they can do to take it back.

Again just like the previous two shots this shot is also moving around in circles which connotes everyone is still bemused as to why everything happened, however because there is a bright light this is subverted and now the connotation is that the protagonists are relieved that they have now got justice for what had been done to them.

The dissonant and rhythmic music accompanied by the loud stings at the start of the scene offer an insight to what the rest of the film is going to be like.

Summary We liked that there was the consistent use of spiralling and

movement throughout the opening sequence it gave a great sense of variation and appeals well to the sophisticated audience

The light is effective in establishing the progression of the narrative. Allowing for multiple connotations.

We thought that the use of sound in the scene was very effective in setting the tone of the film, it establishes the uncontrollable nature of life.

Hinterland

Shot 1 Very early on into the start of the opening sequence we see

this diary with the name Lola written on it for most of the page. This connotes that the diary entry also suggests a personal connection the characters may have with each other or a hidden affection. The shot also is a Close Up, which connotes that Lola is an important figure within the film. Also the fact that it literally just says Lola makes the audience question many things such as, Who is Lola? What is the occupant of the diary going to be doing with Lola? What relation is Lola to the diary owner? Etc. The older and more sophisticated audience appreciate this more as it doesn’t immediately tell them what is happening and they like to work out the ‘enigma’ on their own.

The shot is at a slightly canted angle. This connotes that the film isn’t going to have a basic narrative structure, which is conventional for an independent drama. The canted angle is postmodern which may not fit in with the gritty realism of our film. It connotes that the actions of Lola have been unexpected.

The lighting used in this shot is very natural and tender, it isn’t artificial. This connotes that the narrative of the film is going to be quite an honest portrayal of characters and also themes that are heavy within the film such as love and friendship.

Shot 2 The Close Up of the protagonist in the scene has an impact

because it establishes intimacy, it is the first thing that is noticeable when we watch the shot. It connotes that the protagonist shown is going to be a key figure in the film but more importantly that he is feeling determined and quite concentrated by what he is doing currently, which as we can tell from the previous shot is going to get Lola, however this isn’t definite and so the audience again like this as they start to ask questions again about where he is going? What he is going to do? And who he may be going to meet? Etc.

The camera is stationary throughout this shot and for the remainder of the opening sequence. This connotes that the protagonist is completely fixated on what he is doing, and that he doesn’t want to be held up by any inconveniences.

The lighting again is still ambient connotes an ordinary day which has been disrupted by the focus of the narrative (Lola), and there isn’t any artificial lighting in the shot, which solidifies the idea that the protagonist is a very honest character. His determination is part of a male stereotype but his apparent desperation subverts the stereotype of masculinity.

Shot 3 This shot is very clever. Whilst it seems like there isn’t a lot

going on there is actually a lot that happens within the shot due to on going movement or the shot before. So for example in the previous shot it was a long shot facing out of the car to where the car is headed, the movement of the car connotes a journey which is used to frame the narrative, this is centre to the frame. Now when the edit happens and the next shot is on the screen the car moves off the centre of the shot and instead into the left of the frame, diverting the attention of the audience away from where it previously was. Also there are now credits on the screen which are situated on the right of the frame, the credits are positioned to reflect the rule of thirds as is conventional. So there is a split focus between the car and the credits connoting that there is equal importance between the two. The credits only appear after a police motorbike drives past and that’s when the credits appear on screen. This technical use of editing appeals to the sophisticated audience as it is something that wouldn’t normally be used. This use of editing connotes that the characters are being watched or surveyed (voyeurism) by the policeman going by on his motorbike.

Summary We like the use of the stationary camera throughout the opening

sequence, it makes the scene seem tender and more naturalistic which is how we want our opening sequence to appear.

We also liked how at the start of the opening sequence it had some non diegetic piano playing in the background and still had ambient diegetic sounds going on also such as the phone ringing. Which connotes that the two characters throughout the film have intimacy between one another on more than just a friendship basis.

One feature that was particularly nice was the use of the graphic match on the third shot, something which we endeavour to use in our own opening sequence.

This is England

Shot 1 We see the flag being quite a prominent figure in the

frame which connotes the patriotism of the solider. The long shot used on the flag (although it is not the main focus, it is worth analysing) is used to connote that the army are far from achieving their goals in the war that they are fighting.

All of the shots/clips that are used in the opening sequence to This is England are all past historical events in British history. This is appealing to the audience as they are an older audience they can relate to the events that have occurred during their time.

The medium shot that is used on the solider is used to connote that he is determined and brave, this is a very stereotypical description of a man. It could also be taken as a hegemonic ideology in that women are less dominant in comparison to men as the men are the ones that are out there and fighting whereas the women are not. The ideologies are products of the time period covered: the Falklands in the 1980s

Shot 2 The Medium Close Up of the car connotes that the

car is moving very fast. It reminds the audience of the fast paced lifestyle and nature of the people during the time that this film was set (1983).

The lighting is fairly dark and low key in the clip however the red light on the front of the car is very bright which could be reminiscent of popular entertainment back in the 80’s such as music festivals and clubbing, which were both very popular at the time.

The music playing is rock and roll style music (non diegetic music). Again something that was particularly popular back in the time of the film. It brings back memories for the audience as this would have been a time that they were alive and young, so would have enjoyed this style of music and would most likely have gone to festivals, gigs, and clubs etc.

Shot 3 The graffiti on the wall is used to connote that

rebellious nature of the teenagers that are the lead characters in the film. Back in the 80’s there was distinct oppositions between race and age, which led to tensions and riots. It is shot on a council estate which looks to be quite a rough area in the shot. This sets the tone for the film. It lets the audience know where the characters reside and what kind of area that they are living in.

The long shot that is used connotes that no one wants to be living there, it also connotes that people don’t want to be near the area. It almost isolates that wall and the estate, makes it seem quite derogatory. It alienates the people that live in the houses as the perspective that we are looking at it from is from an outsiders view.

The location is conventional for social realism.

Summary We liked the use of reminiscent imagery throughout the opening

sequence, its nice that Meadows can create that connection with his audience and make them feel exclusive.

Meadows uses quite a wide variety of shots which is used to create the pace of the era.

The fact that Meadows has a rock and roll song playing over the back of the opening sequence is nice for the same reason that it brings back memories of the past for the audience. The soundtrack gives an emotional pleasure of nostalgia and the rebellion connoted gives a counter culture attraction/ pleasure.