How effectively does the opening sequence from 'Children of Men' (2006) use the forms and conventions of film openings? What is your personal response as a member of the audience?"
Children of men, 2006. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
When analysing opening sequences, there are many codes and conventions to consider. These codes and conventions can consist of many elements.
Technical codes, for example, consist of camera movement, framing, sound and editing. They also cover Mise-en-scene, cinematography and light and colour.
The first image the audience is presented with in the opening sequence of Children of Men is a blank screen. The lack of a proper title sequence grabs the audiences attention from the start. The title of the film isnt shown till the end of the opening sequence.
However, you can hear diegetic, off screen dialogue in the form of a news broadcast. The blank screen captures the audience's attention and engages them as there are no visual images to distract them. This also encourages the audience to listen and sets up an enigma code as the news broadcast announces 'Day 100 of the siege of Seattle' which makes you wonder what's happening in America as 'siege' suggests the city is under attack.
There is a sound bridge into the first scene as can you can still hear the news broadcast as it cuts to the first scene of a London café where customers are gathered around a TV watching the broadcast. At the bottom of the TV screen it reads, “London, 16th November 2027” which immediately informs the audience that the film is set in London, in the future. The news broadcast also informs the audience that 'Baby Diego' the youngest person in the world has died at the age of 18. From this the audience gathers that there are no children in the world and this makes them wonder what has happened to all the children.
To reinforce the location and futuristic setting, key features of London have been incorporated into the opening sequence but with a modern, futuristic twist. The streets are still crowded, the roads are still busy, red buses drive past and police still patrol the area but everything is slightly different. Instead of traditional billboards, the buses having moving images on the sides. The police uniforms have hologram badges. Engine powered rickshaws zoom across the road.
Tracking shots have been used in order to identify the main character to the audience and mark him out as an important person.He is also the only character to speak. This encourages the audience to pay attention to him and follow his movements as key clues about his character are given in the opening sequence. He doesn't seem fazed by the news broadcast,he merely glances at the screen, buys his coffee and takes it outside where he puts alcohol into it. This tells the audience that he is a hard, cold man as he doesn't seem to care that the youngest person in the world has died whereas everyone is visibly affected by the news. Also putting alcohol into the coffee shows that he has personal problems to be drinking so early. He is played by Clive Owen, who is well known for his roles in action films. From this the audience can denote that this is going to be an action/thriller film.
As the main character leaves the cafe there is an explosion. A handheld camera has been used to film this to create a realistic, panicked effect The audience can hear screams and glass smashing.
The news broadcast, police presence, explosion and a sign which reads 'Please report any suspicious activity', collude to create the impression that London and the rest of the world are unsafe, there is terrorism, death and chaos.
I feel that the opening sequence has effectively used the codes and conventions of opening sequences to engage the audience and hold their attention. The opening sequence manages to give just enough clues about the film to give the audience an insight into what may happen but there is still a major element of mystery, primarily what has happened to all the children? The opening sets up an enigma and makes the audience asks questions. As a member of the audience, i was intrigued by the blank screen and the voiceover. It encouraged me to pay attention as i didn't want to miss anything. I also liked the fact that there wasn't a proper title sequence as usually get bored waiting for the actual film to start. The opening sequence is unusual in that the main sound comes from off screen and diegetic sound. There isn't much music in whereas a lot of films will use music from famous artists, in order to engage the audience, which doesn't really have any relevance to what's going on the film. The sad, slow music which has been used to accompany the news broadcast is contrapuntal to everyone's mood. Overall, i feel that the opening sequence is effective and would encourage people to watch the rest of the film.
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