Silence of The Lambs Sequence Analysis
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The vast array of techniques and devices available to directors make film an exciting and unique medium. In this essay I will be examining how some of these devices are used in a section of Jonathan Demme's Silence of the Lambs. This film falls into the genre of "thriller". Many techniques characteristic of the thriller genre are designed to be emotionally high impact on the viewer. However using too much suspense, surprise and foreboding will overwhelm and tire the audience. Although it is the high impact scenes that define the genre more subtle scenes are also needed to balance the film and provide variation. Presenting minimal information is a large part of creating suspense and so the more restrained scenes in thrillers are usually the ones that include the most information about the plot, the characters and the message of the film. The section I am examining is one of these subtle yet complex scenes. I will discuss the use of such formal elements as narration, cinematography, sound, lighting and performance. I will also explore how these devices function to advance the plot, develop the characterisation and position the sequence within the film...