3. Throughout the title sequence at no stage is June’s full identity
revealed, but suggested at through mise en scene of slippers, wrinkles
THEMES OF IDENTITY and glasses that hint towards her being of old age. The mystery of her
identity is common in horror films as the unknown is often more
concerning than what is clearly stated.
Insidious: this is another horror that focuses
on the antagonists need/taking of the
protagonists identity. This film focuses on the
dead taking the bodies of the living.
In the same way, the Old woman is taking
Bella’s body externally and making her a doll,
so she is able to control her movement and
pretend that she is her.
After seeing the full face of the doll with
closed eyes, we then see the old lady with
her eyes closed showing she feels she is
the doll.
4. THEMES OF IDENTITY
As well as using some of the common notions implied by the themes of identity, I also challenged
some of these within my coursework.
In many horror films the villain is presented as strong
and brutal using their strength or weapons to attack victims,
such as ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. I have challenged
this typical identification of an antagonist as my villain is
not strong or violent but psychologically challenged and obsessive.
Another way in which I have challenged the typical themes of identity,
is that the protagonists personality is less of a focus at the beginning that it would be towards the
end of the film as she plots escape.
Traditional horror films would establish a relationship between the protagonist and audience then
learn about the enemy throughout the film such as ‘woman in black’.
However in this case the victims identity is quickly taken away from her
and we learn of Junes obsession, and therefore know little about Bella at this
stage.
5. TITLES THAT REFLECT AN ASPECT OF THE
ANTAGONISTS PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE.
Titles were edited to appear in sync
with certain movements of June .
The titles were also in a dainty, elegant
font. This reflects Junes psychological
state as she is obsessed with her doll
being perfect, young and beautiful and
therefore this compulsion is reflected in
the titles as they reflect the ‘prettiness’ she
wishes to attain.
6. EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPENING IN ORDINARY
SITUATIONS During the sequence as Bella is looking around the room, it
seems to become clear that is just in an ordinary room- the
only concerning feature being the broken window, and of
course her imprisonment in it.
However, due to the fact
that this is June’s mind is a
‘dollhouse’ the floral
wallpaper and wooden floor
reflect through mise en
scene its purpose and
slightly challenge the
normality of the setting.
This is similar to ‘Vacancy’
which takes place in a
hotel, a very normal place.
However once you
understand the purpose of
the employees, it fits their
motivation to the point of
becoming unusual.
7. In many horror films, part of what
is horrific about what happens to
CLOSE-UP AND HEAD SHOTS characters is the tragedy of this
I used close ups of the antagonists features in and therefore involves their
order to fulfil the previously mentioned themes of emotion. Due to this, close ups
identity. and head shots are often used to
establish a characters feelings and
also show what is taking place.
However one of the most significant close ups in the
sequence, for me was the establishing shot of the protagonists
eye. This enabled the audience to understand the confusion of
the victim and gave an insight, despite her mysterious identity,
to how she is feeling. Despite not knowing her well at this I have frequently used close ups
stage- we therefore sympathise for her distress. throughout my sequence to
establish the absurdity of what is
Head shots were also
being done to Bella – particularly
used to show Bella’s
distress, and change during the make up sequence.
in appearance.
8. VOYEURISM
• Voyeurism is a convention frequently seen in horror films.
• I have not directly used this convention, however have used it in a slightly different way.
Whilst June is focused on Bella’s appearance, Bella is aware that she is being viewed
rather than the typical idea of being seen without knowing.
