Adoption Agency Scene- Scene from ‘Secret and Lies’:
Camera: The use of the mid shot reverse allows us to gain our own interpretation of the characters persona created in the scene. In this case, the woman from the adoption agency is very comfortable in her surroundings, yet we also get the impression she may be over-comfortable for the other woman’s liking; we understand this through her body language in the scene. She is very uncomfortable, slightly awkward which could suggest she is out of her comfort zone. The use of the close up is also evident in this scene to show the difference in emotions of the woman. As it’s her job, the adoption agency woman is just doing her job, showing sympathy towards the woman who is trying to find her birth mother- this woman is obviously emotional and nervous as it’s something personal to her which is emphasised in this scene to create sympathy for her. Also represents the fact the conversation is getting more intense between Hortense and the adoption agency woman. The extreme close up is also used in the scene to help the audience understand Hortense’s current emotions (portrayed through tears) which again; creates the idea of sympathy.
Mise En Scene: Body language is very different between the pair; as the adoption lady has very manly, comfortable body language maybe portraying a masculine persona. She also seems to be incomplacent and messy- effectively too laid back for her job. However, Hortense is very lady like in terms of general image and body posture. She also is very nervous, emotional and uncomfortable. This is there to create sympathy for the character, in this case Hortense. The scene is associated with adoption, a nervy subject that is affecting many of today’s audience- which in terms of film is all about addressing the meaning of the scene.
Sound: The class system is portrayed through sound in this scene. The adoption lady speaks with a very abrupt tone, maybe even improvised. This could represent her working class origin. This again links to her ways of being unorganised. Hortense however, is very composed and speaks in a more respectable and well-mannered tone. This is done to show the difference between the two class origins- in doing this tackles the issue of class stereotypes.
Editing: The camera orders the shots to show the lack of organisation the lady from the adoption agency has, it also could be seen to question her professionalism and it’s also clear that at first, she doesn’t seem to impress Hortense. The style of editing is continuity editing in this; which is used to emphasise the element of reality in this scene and how it’s a general day-to-day issue faced in the current society. Overall, the editing could be used to show the working classes lack of social skills/organisation skills when dealing with another class.
Narrative: There is a barrier between each persona in this scene which is even more evident when identifying the narrative. It’s clear the two women come from different backgrounds and it could be argued that they have grown up to follow different life skills and social decisions. Hortense in this scene seems to be more lady like than the other, speaks in a serious manner with in-depth emotion and passion towards the situation; as it’s clearly personal. However, the difference in personality is also clear as the adoption agency woman speaks with an abrupt, rushed tone which could be argued to have a sarcastic tone? She could however just give the impression of being extra sensitive.
No comments:
Post a Comment