Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men is about a chaotic world where women have in some way become infertile (Cuarón, 2006). As a result, a former activist agrees to assist in transporting a miraculously pregnant woman to an area that is considered to be a sanctuary at sea. The analysis of the movie considers many aspects as follows;
The use of Mise en Scene
M ise-en-scène often considers everything that is seen by the camera such as the actors, the lighting, the performances, props, costumes, the setting, and the makeup. It gives an indication of the way in which the elements are arranged within a frame, in other words, it is synonymous with the composition of the shot. The movie has taken advantage of the décor that has been used to amplify the emotion of the character and the mood of the film. More specifically, at the start of the movie, there is an image on the TV screen about the death of baby Diego who was the youngest individual to be born from the time when the world became sterile. A crowd is seen watching tearfully. There is a reduced color scheme that stresses the sadness that is in people’s heart. It shows the dominant mood of the film which is sadness. People in the movie are sad because of the fact that the last hope of the country has been lost in the death of baby Diego. There is also the use of a song from 2003 in the scene where the girl is being transported indicating a time when people did not accept that the future was near.
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How the Shot Establishes a Realistic Context in the Film
The particular shot when the girl is being transported helps in establishing a realistic context. The shot starts by showing Theo sleeping against the window; it is then pulled out to reveal the other people in the car. The slow disclosure helps in illuminating the full perspective of the situation to the audience. The wide frame has been used to establish the relationship between the characters. Dialogue exposition has been able to show the previous relationship that existed between Theo and Julian.
How Elements are being staged in the Shot
The wide shot when the girl was being transported is one of the elements that is being shown in the film. The camera starts by focusing on Theo and then it widens to show every person who is in the car. It aims at relating the two characters with the other characters in the car. The filmmaker is, in this case, directing what the audience can see and how ( Edgar-Hunt, 2010) .
How the Camera Represents POV
The point of view or the POV shot is considered to be the angle that indicates what the character is looking at. While still in the scene where the girl is being transported, the camera has been able to represent POV where there is a medium close-up of Julian and Theo together, looking at each other as though there is no other person in the car. As they mime a kiss, the girl disapproves it and the camera moves towards her while being motivated by the look of Theo. In other words, the camera moves with the movement of Theo’s eyes towards the girl. It then moves towards the road.
How the Long Take Supports a ‘Documentary’ Style
Documentaries are known for having long interviews and just like documentaries; the movie has used the style by having long conversations between the characters. One specific scene that has a long conversation is the scene in the care where Theo and Julian are talking with one another. In addition, the movie has long scenes that support the documentary style.
Conclusion
The Children of Men (2006) is a fascinating film that has used a lot of elements to be more realistic. For example, it has reduced color scheme that stresses the sadness that is in people’s heart. It shows the dominant mood of the film which is sadness.
Reference
Cuarón, A. (Director). (2006). Children of Men [Motion Picture].
Edgar-Hunt, R., Marland, J., & Rawle, S. (2010). The language of film . Lausanne: AVA Academia.
