Opening sequence Analysis of 'Children of Men'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rSEI0xjEuM

Opening analysis of 'Children Of Men'

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement

In children of men it is one single shot, there is no editing in between, it is one mid shot through out.  This is done to create tension and show realism.  

Sound

At the beginning of the scene we are listening to the news, so it is only people talking. Then when the camera goes outside all we are hearing is diegetic sound, this is natural sounds of the surroundings like cars, bikes and buses. We also hear a bomb go off and then a lot of screaming. 

Editing

There is no editing in this opening, it is one single shot throughout. This creates realism and makes it different to other openings. 

Mise en Scene

At first we are in a café, the lighting is quite dark. Then when we go outside we can it is very grey and dark. There are a lot of buildings and the billboards on the side are interactive, this is also on the buses when they go pass.  It is very smoky and dusty. And the roads seem to be very dirty and there is a lot of litter left on the sides of the roads. 

Characters

The central character is a protagonist, we do not know if he is good or bad. 

Locations

The location is set in London in 2027 along way in to the future. It is on the very busy streets; where a lot has changed. 

Narrative/Plot

There is not a lot of speaking from who we have gathered is our main character. The only speech we have heard is from the lady who is speaking on the news. She has told us a bit of what is going on in London at the time. And we have gathered that something has happened and no one is having children anymore and the youngest person ever has died; for what reason all this has happened we do not know yet. 

Themes

The theme for children of men is also a thriller. We have had a few clues throughout the opening. First we have the mystery of why is know one having children? And then right at the end we see the café being blown up if creates tension for the audience as a lot has happened in two minutes and we do not know what is going on. 

Visual Style

The visual style of children of men is a single shot, where there are no cuts and it has been filmed by a hand held camera. The visual style is very dark and grey this helps the audience imagine how run down London has become; it also seems to be very polluted. From this visual style we can see that something has happened to the world and has made it a dark and dismal place.  

Genre

Children of men is said to be a science fiction film and also a thriller. The only thing we have seen so far which we can actually relate to it is when the bomb goes off at the end, and we see a women walk out with her arm in the hand.