Micro Film Elements Analysis

This essay will explore how mise – en – scene and cinematography are used to construct meaning and provoke audience response in the 2005  film V For Vendetta. The film is set in a dystopian future United Kingdom that is ruled under the laws of a fascist dictator. The clip I will be studying is shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPlT2uKruwM

The setting for this scene is an abandoned underground subway which as well as being dark also creates a sense of it being ominous for the audience as V is essentially trapped with no sense of him being able to escape as he would be able to if the scene was set in an open environment such as a field. Moreover the abandoned subway which is has a very natural darkness to it as it’s cut off from the rest of the city makes it easier for the director to create the sense of darkness which is also shown through the tint in the camera lens. This creates meaning for the audience, it makes the audience feel that V is alone and vunerable which is one of the many hints at V’s death which is foreshowed greatly in this scene. Furthermore the naturally black and dark colour of the subway setting connotes to the audience that something bad is about to happen.

The lighting in this scene also goes along with the theme of darkness as the camera has used a dark blue tint on the scene to make the dark backstreet in which the scene is taking place seem more sinister that it actually is and connoting that come with darkness for example evil and the unknown. The dark lighting also creates meaning for the audience that the lighting is connoting evil and sinister events that maybe about to happen. The unknown connotation links back to V’s face never being shown throughout the film and his scarred face being hidden by his mask. Also during this scene the antagonist tries to unmask V which leads to the films most intense fight scene and the death of everyone involved, including V who dies from his injuries shortly after the scene is over. Moreover the dark tint used helps to bring out the white in V’s mask, the whiteness in his mask which is brought out further in this scene connotes that V is pure and even heavenly. The lighting in the scene is also used to show V more clearly, the antagonists flashlight’s are used to light V up and contrast the other characters who are for the most part in dimly lit surroundings and their faces are dark and hard to make out which mirrors V’s sense of anonymity. His anonymity is key to the film and is one of the many enigmas that are used as V’s face isn’t seen once throughout the whole film, even after his death when the romantic interest in the film kisses the now dead V through his mask this makes the audience see the romantic chemistry between the two characters that has been hinted at through out the film. The blue tint used on the camera also signifies darkness in that V dies shorty after the blue tint is introduced.

An example of the mise – en – scene in this clip is one of the props used which in this case is the main protagonist named V wearing a Guy Fawkes mask to conceal his identity, this is used to create mystery for the audience as his face is never shown throughout the film and is intriguing for the audience and one of the main enigmas in the film is the identity of V. The mask he wears gives the audience a feel that V is a masked vigilante and is the main hero in the film also this sense of heroism displayed by V signifies his near death as he is surrounded by people wearing the polar opposite of him. This juxtaposition of both forces reinforces the theme of good vs evil which is highlighted at many points throughout the film and is the main baseline of the plot.

Unlike the rest of the characters in the scene who carry standard black pistols Creedy carries a large silver revolver which connotes that hi is in charge of the men and superior over them, this also connoted by the face Creedy wears a suit while the rest of the characters are wearing body armor and military style clothes which shows them to be further down in the command chain than Creedy.

Also for the Guy Fawkes mask it is worth commenting on that he has chosen a mask of a well known British revolutionary who mirrors the image of V who is trying to bring down the government in a similar fashion, but the same as Guy Fawkes dies in the process. This foreshadowing gives the viewer a subtle hint that V is indeed about to die and creates narrative expectation as Guy Fawkes is such a well known person in the real world.

Moreover V’s mask is pristine at the start of the clip, with it being a clear white colour which connotes the English flag which is the country he is trying to save from a tyrant. But by the end of the scene his mask is scraped, dirtied and has blood which could signify his death and the end of his part in the revolution that he has planned.

V also wears a long black cloak in this scene which covers his entire body down to his feet, this has further connotations of mystery as it’s as if V is trying to hide his body and blend into the background. The cloak also shows the audience that V is trying to hide or even protect himself from the danger he is facing. The long black cloak also has connotations of authourity and power which is true because V has begun to lead an army of revolutionists against the government and is effectively their leader. V’s outfit could be described as having connotations to a superhero as he wears a long black cloak which is similar to the cape of a stereotypical superhero. V also has a trademark mask in this scene which like the cape gives him the look of a superhero

V’s knives hidden in sheaths under his overcoat are very old fashioned in design and create meaning to the audience of contrast. The contrast is shown as the men opposing him are all heavily armed with modern weapons, this kind of contrast features quite prominently in the  which features quite prominently in this scene and the film as a whole. Also V being armed with such a meager arsenal creates a sense of disbelief when V defeats the enemies later on in the scene.

The people V have killed in this scene are always killed in a fashion that shows it to be very violent and the victims movement means they fall to the ground with a large dramatic thud which makes their body richochet on the ground which provokes a response amongst some viewers as well as being graphic the violence is also sudden and unexpected. This shows to the audience that V’s true character is much darker and evil than the audience may think and his true nature is being released because he knows he’s going to die and this is his land stand.

The special effects in this scene are used in such instances as when V throws knives a wind entrail is shown following behind it which creates meaning in the audience as it makes them appear to be more lethal than they are as V is outgunned by opposing forces. The entrail also gives an almost supernatural feel to the scene, the entrails are also used to make the scene easier to follow as the knives are less visible due to the dark tint used on  the camera which blends in with the dark weapons . Furthermore the special effects blood that is used in this scene erupts from people’s body in an explosive manner also the colour of the blood is very dark which gives the audience a sense of the scene being more realistic and it drawing their attention more. The reaction of the viewer to this it makes them more drawn into the scene as something important to the plot is about to happen. The blood is also used to make the scene more gory and violent for audience which makes the scene more entertaining and adds to the excitement of the film which makes the audience feel more engaged. The special effects blood in this scene isn’t shown that much on V so the lack of blood on him connotes he is almost superhuman and is taking little damage in the scene which gives him a certain superiority over the other characters.