FILM OPENING 6 EG - For Those in Peril

For Those in Peril
(Paul Wright, 2013)
Produced by Warp X, Warp Films; distribution: Protagonist Pictures
No cinematic release. 


Opens with a close up shot. The lone figure is unfocused which signifies a lack of identity and isolation whilst also enforcing Barthes' idea of narrative enigma creating suspense and mystery. This draws the audiences attention to the sea; which is in focus. This connotes that the sea has an important role in this piece as it is the only focused thing in the frame. The camera seams to be hand held due to the rocky movement of the frame, this reflects the bubbling motion of the sea which could signify that this is an indie film/documentary, or that it is just used to emphasise the sea as a main theme in the film.

In this shot the use of black and white is ploysemic as it could signify this film's genre to be a horror or that it is a serious/classic drama. It also creates a dark sombre tone which could connote that the sea is a source of pain or death in this film. This I feel anchors the idea that the film is centred around the sea as it has been the point of focus for the first two shots.

The next shot also features another theme of sea. The bad quality, blurred and shaky hand held camera shot also connotes a documentary style. 

We then see what looks and sounds like a flashback documentary due to the shaky hand held camera and informative voice over. The shot then zooms into a piece of paper. "love you always" signifies that someone has died, this idea is re enforced by the lit candles and cards, like those that would be left to show remorse for the passing of someone. 

Now we see an over the shoulder point of view close up shot of a smartly dressed young man. His somber expression denotes that the suit he is wearing is maybe not for a wedding but more for a funeral. This over the shoulder shot also again creates a narrative enigma. 

We are now presented with a close up two shot. This shows a relationship between the two characters, due to the quite personal tender action of doing someones tie this connotes that they have a close relationship. At this point we presume the woman is his mother as she looks quite a lot older than the boy. A close up shot has been used so we can clearly see both of the characters sad mournful expressions, this re-enforces the idea that they are attending a funeral.