Introduction to Film Language

Blade Runner

Immediately from looking at the poster, you can tell from it's futuristic iconography that it is a science fiction film. However, the low-key lighting created in the poster, with dramatic shadows across the characters faces, allows the audience to understand that it is also a neo-noir film - it wouldn't be a film noir, since it is new and 'neo' means new. It has certain aspects of film noir, but not all of them, which for me, is another reason why I would consider it neo-noir. When I see this combination, I always think of Cyberpunks, which it definitely has an element of - possibly one of the earliest explorations of this. Yet at the same time, the motion of the futuristic transportations at the bottom remind me of an action film, which is essentially another thing this film is. The main focus of the poster is on the protagonist - Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, whose name appears above the film title. He has been positioned  at the top of the poster, with light streaks pointing outwards from his face, emphasizing that he is the star of the film. He has his arms above to his right, holding a gun close to his face, while looking towards the light. The prop of the gun, also indicates the science fiction aspect of the film. It also suggests that he is after someone, or some people. His arm is covering another character, a female. She appears to be smoking a cigarette. Another reason the film appears to be a film noir to me, is due to the femme fatale aspects of the female. Either a villainess or a love interest for the protagonist, more likely a love interest. She appears too normal to be a villainess in a science fiction film. I'm going to pretend I've never seen it before and guess that the movie is about runaways, who are running from the law. The key is in the name for me - 'blade runner'. And with the fact that it appears that Ford's character may be determined to find something (with the prop gun to suggest his and his facial expressions), it is likely that he is hunting people who are on the run. However, in the top right-hand corner, there is copy text, which says "Man has met his match...Now it's his problem." This makes me believe that the film is focused on some types of robots, maybe a bio-engineered beings/androids, perhaps. That means Ford could be after these beings. The setting looks to be to a dystopian futuristic future, up high in the sky, where the futuristic cars and trains flew, surrounded by buildings. Ford's facial expressions are easily depictable, and the audience would be able to see his determined yet apprehensive. He seems to be sweating, which can be easily seen due to the illustration aspect of the poster, appearing painted, This, however, points towards the action in the film. Perhaps, he does a lot of running. I believe the target audience will be around 16/17 - 30-year-olds. I believe the younger adults of the target audience will enjoy the actions aspects of the film and the science fiction, whilst some of the older adults will enjoy the neo-noir aspects and the violence. 

Scary Movie 2

 

From the absurd film poster and the many horror movie reference, it is easy to infer that the movie will be a Horror comedy as it is a parody/spoof. It is specifically more of a comedy, due to the lighter colour scheme than that of a normal Horror film. The copy text under the title, suggests this as well, making the film appear to be a ridiculous horror comedy since they depict it as being "More merciless." and "More shameless." With a film like this, the distributor's don't need to give away the plot, since they don't matter. What they know matters to the audience is the hilarious horror references, meaning they put those in the poster instead. In the mise en scene, the characters appear to be sitting in a theatre setting, most likely to watch a film, referring to the many hilarious references across different horror films they have used, not actually relating to the plot. The only things that relate to the plot are the characters themselves, specifically the ones at the front, who appear more significant and important to me than the ones behind them. The characters display a range of comedic facial expressions, with each of their costumes different, according to the reference. The review that specifies how hilarious the film is, further emphasizes on the comedy genre, which is the most important part of the film. You know that it is a franchise through the tagline copy text and the title of the movie, and that the film has improved since the last. I would say that due to the comic appeal and ridiculousness of the film, young adults and teenagers would primarily be the target audience, yet also include people even older as it is a comedy film that can be enjoyed by all mature people, so certainly no children. Especially, since the movies will just keep getting more shameless than the previous one.

 Uzak

A lot less is given away by the poster, but the first thing I pick up on is the fact that is a foreign film, which would be it's genre. This suggests that it would be shown in small art house cinemas as it's target audience would be a niche market. The second thing is the reviews, depicting it as "Profoundly Beautiful....A Real Masterpiece." and "A Joy." This suggests that it is quite a moving piece to watch. The high-key lighting makes it appear quite realistic, alluding that something like what happens in the film could happen in real life. The dim and dark atmosphere created by it's grimy colour scheme. The central image appears to be that of a long figure in the foreground looking towards a distant city in the background. It has an enigma code, as the audience will wonder who the figure is, as you can not see there face or facial expressions and also wonder where it is set. It is obvious to tell that the setting is a foreign desolate looking country, but yet is hard to know exactly where, therefore it is hard to know the plot. The use of a wide shot is prominent as, typically, they are used to create tense, dramatic and in this case, desolate and isolated atmospheres. 

I'm Not Scared

In the central image of this poster, a boy is depicted looking down a enormous hole in the ground, with the title stating directly underneath "I'm not scared." This alludes that the film may surround around the hole and the boy finding it. They only want to give away a little bit of the plot, and those two aspects happen to be the vaguest part of the plot. This is why they have used a wide shot, which is has been tilted upwards Despite the shadows on his face, and the darkness from the hole, this is high-key lighting due to natural light from above, to perhaps, portray the movie in a realistic light. Even with contrasting shadows on his face, you can clearly see that his facial expressions and body language resemble that of a mixture of curiousness and apprehensiveness. The tension created in the image, suggests that the movie could be that of a thriller mystery. The films target audience could be teenagers - adults, ranging from ages of 16 to 30 year olds. This is because thriller mysteries are not usually suitable for young children and children.

Sin City

In this image, the low-key lighting immediately gives away that the genre of the film is neo-noir. It uses a small amount of filler lights, to highlight the rain. This may be a form of pathetic fallacy as it gives the feel of melancholy off whilst still remaining bold through the characters and text. It would not be film noir, due to the stark redness of the title, and it's bold and daring font. The chronic use of the prop guns, allude that the film is about criminality, suggesting a neo-noir crime film. Whilst the five characters at the top cover the majority of the poster, the audience attention will be focused at the bottom of the page, noticing the mysterious silhouette of a man walking towards them. This would suggest that he may be the focus of the film, perhaps, either the villain or the protagonist. The key to the narrative is in the title name it self, as the city itself may be corrupt, filled with the sins of the residence of it. This is supported both by the fact that all male characters at the top are carrying guns and that the females are represented in a sexual light, essentially turning them into sex objects. This alludes that the females may be prostitutes, however, they appear quite bold, perhaps they may be involved in the war fare themselves. The director may have being trying to show a patriotic ideology in the movie.  However, they may do this to catch the audience off guard in the movie, because it could be the opposite view of patriotism. This is supported by the fact that the colour scheme of the poster is predominately grey and black, allowing the blood red colour to stand out. This conveys the idea of murder and sin and a general dark atmosphere. I can presume that the target audience for the film would be comic book fans, who will have interest in the neo-noir comic aspects of the film. They would be 18-35, as the feminine and sexual atmosphere of the two female characters suggest nudity and prostitutes. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead man's chest

The most obvious aspect of the narrative that has been given away by the poster is that it involves pirates, due to the title and the portrayal of pirates and the wreckage of a ship destroyed by what appears to be a kracken in the central image. From the title, we can tell that it is a franchise, and that it has had multiple movies before. It would have to involve a dead man's chest in the narrative. The genre would have to a fantasy swashbuckler movie, as it is set when pirates were around, but adds a fantasy and myth aspect to them. The target audience of the movie would be for all ages, mainly 10 - 30, however, it is typically a family film to be watched at home. It would be enjoyed by the pre-teen demographic, whose parents would take them.

Bride and Prejudice

I assume that the movie has a similar narrative to 'pride & prejudice' due to the way it has played with the name of the film. The two main protagonists appear in the central image will be the 'Mr. darcy' and 'Elizabeth' of the film as they appear to be a couple, alluding the film has something to do with love and relationships. On the right hand side, the Taj Mahal is seen, which would be the females background and on the left hand side, a there is the skyline of a western country, which would be his background. This suggests that there is culture differences, creating a conflict between the two lovers, which would be the main source of problem in the film. Perhaps, instead, it suggests the merging of cultures and how they bond over time. The genre would be romantic comedy, suggested by the reviews at the top of the poster. I would say that the target audience is 15 - 35, and mainly a female demographic.

Million Dollar Baby

Due to the low-key lighting and dark colour scheme, it create a unrealistic, dramatic and slightly grimy atmosphere, connoting danger. Hilary Swank appears in the central image, alluding that she is the protagonist of the film. The dark atmosphere suggests that she goes through struggle in her efforts to  get where she wants to be. The fact that she is wearing a sports bra, suggests the film is not only a drama, but also a sports film. Her posture suggests that she has dominance, with her shoulder turning towards us, and looking over her shoulder - a typical representative of dominating women in films. However, it subverts from the general stereotype of weak women in films, appearing toned and boyish. Though, this stereotype is becoming less prominent across the years, as more and more films appear to portray females in this manner each year. This suggests she is a fighter, and perhaps, does a fighting sports such as boxing. It is hard to tell but the man on the right appears to be wearing boxing gloves, further supporting the sports and boxing aspect of the film. She may have trouble in her efforts to be a boxer, with harsh things happening to her, due to the harsh colour scheme. The target audience would be from 15 - 35 due to the posters harsh colour scheme and atmosphere. I believe sport enthusiasts would enjoy the film, especially female ones. Anyone interested in feminism would also find the film interesting, I believe. However, the demographic appears to be fairly mixed.