The film Curfew is a 2012 short drama directed by Shawn Christensen. It tells the story of Richie, a man suffering from depression and contemplating suicide, who is asked to babysit his nine-year-old niece Sophia for a few hours. During this time with his niece, Richie begins to change as Sophia unintentionally helps him overcome his mental illness and suicide attempt. The film uses techniques common in dramas like low-key lighting, realistic settings, and a focus on the characters through medium close-ups to portray Richie's depressed state and how spending time with his niece impacts his fate.

1. ‘’CURFEW’’
By Shawn Christensen

2. Curfew – general info
■ Curfew is a 2012 short film directed by ShawnChristensen.
■ The film is based on how a child saves a man from suicide.
■ At the lowest point of his life, Richie gets a call from his estranged sister, asking him to
look after his nine-year old niece, Sophia, for a few hours.The few hours he will spend
babysitting her will change Richie’s fate forever.
■ Genre – drama

3. ■ Emotional protagonist suffering form depression (some degree of relatability from
audience – uses and grats).
■ Stereotypical representation of disability (ie: mental illness), as Richie is seen
struggling to find a reason to live and therefore turns to self harm and contemplating
suicide.
■ Representation of youth/childhood (ie: his niece) which is counter typical at times, as
his niece is shown to be quite authoritative in contrast to her uncle Richie).
■ Audience feels sympathetic towards Richie (uses and grats).
■ The theme and certain graphic scenes of the short film indicates its targeted for an
older audience.The dark low key lighting and dull mise-en-secne wouldn’t attract a
younger audience anyway.

4. Narrative theory:
■ The film doesn’t followsTodorov’s narrative structure of Equilibrium, disequilibrium as the
story starts with the protagonist’s problems. (Story is non-linear).
■ The way the short film starts creates hermeneutic code which is a common convention for
dramas.
■ The opening scene and the closing/last scene are recalling each other/are the same which is
also a common conventions in dramas and short films in general.
■ The niece in the story could be represented as the ‘helper’ for unintentionally helping Richie
and Richie himself as the ‘hero’ for overcoming his suicide attempt/mental illness (Propp’s
theory).
■ We could say there is binary opposition (Strauss) between the two main characters due to
their differences.
■ This short film presents a hegemonic representation of age, (ie; his niece has life ‘more
together’ than he does).

5. Mise-en-scene
■ Lighting – low key lighting is used to reflect the dark and depressing life Richie is living
daily.This is also a convention of many dramas.
■ Props/makeup- actors are wearing dull/dark clothing and Richie has an unhealthy
complexion to reflect his mood/ well being. In certain scenes, Richie is seen with a
cigarette and a blade (for self harm); these signifiers which have negative connotations
and represent ill-being.
■ Acting/ actors – only three actors – common convention of dramas and short films in
general. Child actor and adult actor creates a binary opposition which emphasises their
differences but also similarities.The fact that the protagonist of the story is an adult
would attract other adults as they would be able to relate to Richie.
■ Setting- realistic surrounding which the audience can relate to/ recognise(uses and
grats) .
■ Vibe/overall look- a very still/dull/monotonous atmosphere takes up most of the short
film with the exception of the middle which would make it clear to the audience this
short film is targeted towards a mature audience and not suited for teens/kids.

6. ■ Sound- a lot of diegetic sounds are used to reflect the reality the protagonist is living
in and also to emphasise his loneliness at times.
■ The middle of the short film is happier and is accompanied by an upbeat song which
makes the scene seem imaginary.
■ Sounds/music reflects the deeper and the underlying message meaning of the film.
■ Shots/filming/editing – this short film consists of a lot of medium close ups to keep
the focus on the characters rather than the setting which is also a common convention
for dramas.