Vidal vs Mercedes - Gender Analysis Representation Essay Preparation

Sound
No sound so the audience are independent of their emotions. There are no guidelines to how we are supposed to feel about the scene.
-Intense sound effect is used when Vidal lifts up hammer to build up tension and we are made to feel uncomfortable and believe Mercedes is in trouble - this mislead builds suspense. We empathise with Mercedes.
-Quiet non-diegetic music is played when Mercedes is stabbing Vidal to portray retaliation and the audience is inevitably taken aback.
- All the diegetic sound is very over exaggerated such as the sheathing of her knife from her dress. The exaggerated sound creates suspense and builds focus on smaller aspects such as the individual stabs
-sound of rope tying her up is exaggerated and enhanced which suggests how powerless she is and reects how restricted she is. the rope is a symbol of her inferiority and so the enhanced sound on the rope helps to reect this
The scene starts with all diegetic sound, all background noises are faintly heard such as a horse and the creaking of the door.
Suddenly a slow chromatic violin scale starts playing, creating tension and fear. The subtle change of notes creates a very uneasy , and unpredictable atmosphere.

Cinematography
Low angle shot on Mercedes, high angle shot on Vidal
Vidal close up of putting stitches in his mouth.
heavy saturation - shows how bleak the situation is
low angle for Vidal and mid shot for mercades shows who we are meant to feel more intimidated by Vidal and mercades is meant to be seen as invisible and goes with the furniture as if she was meant to be there as the camera is more balanced compared to show close ups of weapons - foreshadows danger/violence
*framed around Vidal and Mercedes throughout the scene tending to focus on the person in control of the situation, binary opposition changing.
*High contrast, creates strong patches of over exposed areas on the actors faces, compared to other parts, of the scene. highlighting their emotional state.
*Low key lighting created by natural from windows and cracks in walls, which focuses on Vidal at the start of the scene.
*Mostly static shots.
Editing
*Simple cuts- not to over complicate the action.
*Continuous editing to enable the audience to maintain engagement
with Vidal.
* Extremely long cuts, slowing down the pace.
*By cutting on action, the pace is increased, gradually. Although the cuts do not get extremely fast, creating a blurry scene for the audience.
*Cutaways to Vidal holding torture instruments.
*The scene begins with continuous shot, we able to embrace and maintain focus in the scene. It completely slows the pace down and builds suspense.
*As danger is imminent the pace of the scene begins to build (could reect of the pace Mercedes heart is racing at). The continuous ow disappears.
*The quick transitions in-between each action and the pace of the editing builds up which reects on the determination of Mercedes trying to escape.

Mise-en-Scene

Vidal stands over Mercedes. She has a kitchen knife to show her strength and bravery, or to show that she was expecting something like this would happen to her.
Hidden knife resembles how the women have to hide their true selves (her power, and cunning skill) as they are seen as subordinate to the men- this directly contrasts the scene- the reveal of the knife shows the reveal of Mercedes true self.
Colour- dull wash of grey/navy blue to create a frightening, and unpredictable atmosphere,
Vidal undoing his shirt as the scene begins how he isn't threatened by the situation/Mercedes.
The hammer - imagery of Vidal taking down communism, shows the fascists have complete control -> makes audience more fearful of them, Vidal dropping the hammer shows the fascists losing their power