1. Film Opening Analysis: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The filmopenswithanextremecloseupof the maincharacter’sface,accompaniedbydiegeticsounds
such as heavy breathing, the ambient nature of which immediately sets the audience on edge and
creates an ominous mood. The close up shot of Jamal’s face enables hisexpressionto dominate the
frame and allowsthe audience torecognise he is the mainprotagonistof the film, andcoupledwith
the intense yellow/golden light which connotes not only wealth but heat, it is implied and later
confirmedthatthe filmissetin India,andthat the story will revolvearoundmoney. The cameracuts
to an over-the-shoulder shot, showing an extreme close up of an older man smoking. By comparing
the two characters expressionsandactionsit is clear that the olderman has the power,as he blows
smoke intoJamal’sface as an intimidationtechnique,andJamal flinchesaway.The framingcaptures
the olderman in the shot as itswitchesbackto Jamal,explicitlyhighlightingthe proximityof the two
men and forcing the audience to engage in the claustrophobic, silent exchange. As text appears on
screen, ‘Mumbai, 2006’, Jamal’s face disappears in smoke to concentrate the focus on the date and
location, and then a question appears beneath it. Suddenly, the older man lashes out at Jamal and
asks for hisname,and the selectivesoundof the slapbridgesto the nextscene as the screencuts to
black. This demonstrates the themes of violence and aggression that are prevalent throughout the
film,exacerbatedbythe injustice andcorruptionof the justice systemat the time. The questionand
multiple-choice answersthatfolloware in the style of a game show,clearlyreferencing‘WhoWants
to Be a Millionaire?’ which is what the film mainly revolves around.The familiar clock ticking that is
associated with game shows begins as the screen remains black but the possible answers to the
question posed appear one by one, creating intrigue as the audience are unsure which is the right
answer. The shot fades to and from an anonymous person filling a bathtub with money, reinforcing
the film’s focus on wealth,and this is interspersed with shots of Jamal’s face in a different location,
lookingdazed.Thisisaccompaniedbyavoice overof the game show host welcominghisaudienceto
the show, and multiple shots in varying lighting from darkness to bright light illustrating the
disorientation andconfusion thatJamal is experiencing. Anotherman,laterrevealedtobe the game
showhost, is shownas he asks Jamal if he is ready,thenthe shot fadesintodarknessagainbefore it
is litand Jamal givesa shortreply,showinghisnervesandapprehension.Asthe host seatsJamal,he
reassureshimhe will be fine,butjuxtaposedagainstthe suddencutto Jamal once more beingstruck
by the smokingman,itcreatesa sense of distrustanddiscomfortasthe cutshowsa linkbetweenthe
abusive oldermanandthe game showhost. Thisopeningisextremelyrichintermsof creatingintrigue
and mystery, and also quickly getting the audience to feel empathy for the main character and
speculate his fate.
