This document analyzes the opening sequence of the film Memento through 9 frames. It summarizes each frame to show how they establish the film noir genre and themes of memory, mystery, and violence. Frame 1 introduces the main character's memory loss through a point-of-view shot. Subsequent frames show clues about the plot through a faded polaroid, reversed shot, and the main character's bloody face. Later frames depict shadows, blood, violence and action scenes, reinforcing the dark and mysterious tone typical of film noir.

1. Analysis of Memento
Opening Sequence
Film Noir
9 Frame Analysis

2. Frame 1
An example of camera
angles used is a point of
view shot. This shot is used
for a large part of the
sequence, and it shows a
mans hand holding a
Polaroid picture. This shot
is most likely used to
represent the main
characters memory loss
throughout the film.
The shot also shows the
polaroid slowly becoming
exposed, as if the shot is
reversed.

3. Frame 2
This is a screenshot of the
same camera shot that
was previously used.
However the polaroid is
faded here, even though
this screenshot was taken
after the the last one. This
picture relates to the theme
of the movie, as the movie
is based around memory
and memory loss.

4. Frame 3
This close up of the mans
hand shows him putting the
Polaroid into camera. The
shot also follows the mans
hand.
This Shot shows allows
shows the whole scene is in
reverse, and shows that the
man has clearly taken of a
picture of something
As he puts the picture back
into the camera.

5. Frame 4
This screenshot shows the
first thing that is seen in
the opening sequence.
The black background
connotes that the mood of
the film could be dark or
bleak. The font colour that
is being used, electric
blue, also gives the feeling
that that it is somewhat
futuristic.

6. Frame 5
This screenshot is a close up of
the main characters face. His
face is bloodied and sweaty, as
if he has been in some kind of
struggle. This adds to the whole
mystery that is being created by
the opening sequence.

7. Frame 6
• This frame shows a mans face covered in shadows. This image is
typical of a noir film, as noir is most times dark and mysterious.
This frame shows that the film will be rather dark or mysterious.

8. Frame 7
• This frame shows alot of blood. From this, the audience will immediately know the
film will contain scenes of violence. In Noir, violence is often a key factor of the film.
Noir films focus on areas such as crime, law, gangsters and journalists in some
cases.

9. Frame 8
This frame shows the main character played by Guy Pierce, holding a gun at
something/someone. This frame shows that the film is going to have scenes of
action in it, which is common in Noir films.

10. Frame 9
This screenshot shows a
man being shot. This adds to
the mystery, making the
audience curious as to why
being he is being shot. This
further shows that the film is
violent. The shadows in the
background are also related
to Noir Film. This shot is a
POV-high angle shot.