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Citizen Kane Analysis
Sad Man
Citizen Kane is a movie that can be rewritten and implemented into any film created today. In
many ways, the storyline tells us more about ourselves than anything else and it relates to each one
of us who has ever wished for a better life. From his flamboyant adventures to the blah blah to his
political agenda in his later years. Every film that came after Citizen Kane owes a great deal to Orson
Welles because of the way he used special effects, music, and shadows and lighting, which without a
doubt makes it one of the finest movies ever made. Some even call it the Mona Lisa of its time
because Orson Welles was the first to implement all of these techniques, which revolutionize cinema
forever.
It is believed that more than 50 percent of the film involved special effects. One of the many
reasons is because the film itself was made on a budget and the other being "for the nature and
scope of its subject" (The Denny Life) to keep costs down. One of the methods that revolutionize
cinematography was the introduction of a technique known as deep focus by Orson Welles. Deep
focus is the use of "having everything in the frame even the background in focus at the same time"
contrary to "having only the people or object in the foreground in focus" (The Denny Life).
Moreover, the deep focus technique requires the cinematographer to combine lighting, composition,
and type of camera lens to produce the desired effect. For example, Orson Welles use this technique
on
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Citizen Kane : Character Analysis : Citizen Kane
Character Analysis: Kane Citizen Kane one of the consistently top ranked films of all time, A film
that would change the course and style of film from that point on Its ability to direct the audience's
attention with its many remarkable and breath–taking scenes. It employed many new cinematic and
innovative techniques that apply to lighting, sound mixing and editing that been emulated ever
since. The character that we see take the greatest advantages of these new techniques is Charles
Foster Kane, utilizing direction of amore layer character combined with impressive set design that
inform on the characters state of mind. Citizen Kane is a visual and theatrical work of art utilizing
many techniques to create a character that stands the...show more content...
Kane is almost always shown in the most prominent position in the frame never in a place with less
power but the one place where the audience will pay attention to him first, the Mise–en–scene. One
of the first time we see him in frame with a reflection was when he was staring the picture of the
chronicle staff. He stares at it with almost a smug look his face showing off the desire for the staff
that could turn his small newspaper into something that would help him reach the masses and make
people listen to him, to increase his circulation. The group is also framed on the left side of the
screen a position of dominance in film, also the first direction the eyes are typically drawn to when
something changes on screen. Mr. Kane is shown in this reflection at the front of his group
smoking his cigar and his two friends still behind him, so this helps emphasis that at this point in
his life he still has people backing him, still willing to support him no matter what he did. Another,
example of how the set is designed to show his current state of mind is when he was having
breakfast with his first wife they start very close while complementing each other Kane is still close
enough to hear his wife to directly interact with her and take on the request of hers staying in bed
longer by pushing off his appointments till noon. However, after a
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Film Analysis: Citizen Kane
Throughout the movie Citizen Kane, Welles uses framing and the visual aspect of movies to
bolster the theme he is trying to convey. Perhaps the most striking example of this is when Kane is
sitting at the dinner table with his first wife, Emily. At first, the table is a normal size, and the two
can have a conversation and live happily. However, as Kane becomes more engrossed in his
business and the love of power takes over his life, the table grows to the point where the couple is a
whole room's length away from each other. This also shows in this emotional distance and lack of
conversation.
This scene is especially indicative of how Kane's life has been ruined by his quest for power, and
how his lack of a childhood affected his life. He was
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Citizen Kane Techniques
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is often called the greatest film ever made. Its use of film techniques often taken for
granted nowadays were completely new and had not been done before. Simple things like ceilings
on the sets and realistic scenes such as the newsreel, which would not stand out in a modern film,
were combined to make a film full of innovative techniques. The director, Orson Welles, developed
the use of deep focus to make the flat cinema screen almost become three dimensional, which added
a realism that had not been explored before.
Right from the start, a viewer can see the innovation displayed by Welles. The opening scene, one of
the most famous in the entire film, begins with the...show more content...
This happens just as Kane dies, so it is both a signal that he has passed away, and a metaphor of the
light of life going out.
The opening scene also contains the first instance of something being viewed through a piece of
glass and of just the reflection of what is going on being seen, in this case, both at once. These
techniques make the audience unsure of what they are seeing and are used at other times throughout
the film.
Realism is a major reason why "Citizen Kane" stands out from other films of the time. However, it
is the way realism and theatrical effects are mixed together that truly marks it out as one of the
greatest films ever made. Ceilings on the set allowed for scenes lit by normal lightbulbs, giving the
appearance of real rooms, but the theatrical spotlights through the windows in the newsreel showing
room and the library highlight parts of the scenery, leaving others in shadow.
The people working on "Citizen Kane" went to great lengths to get authentic–looking film for the
newsreel. It was degraded using sand to give a grainy look as opposed to the smooth film used for
the main picture. Also in the newsreel, the jerky cuts, when Kane spills cement on his coat then is
shown clean, give a more genuine feel to the footage. The newsreel scene can also be viewed as a
parody of an actual news programme of the time, "March of Time". This
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Citizen Kane Techniques
Citizen Kane is directed, produced by and stars Orson Welles and was made in 1941. Citizen Kane
follows the life of famous newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane and was a very controversial film
for its time. Citizen Kane does not come under one specific film genre but falls under the heading of
several interesting genres, which include biography, narrative, detective and news–paper reporter
genre. 'Film Noir' is also associated with Citizen Kane as it has many genres but also a very specific
style that differs from the classical norm of Hollywood movies. This movie became extremely
significant for its time and changed the face of film history. Orson Welles brought about a new way
of filming with his use of low angle shots, three point lighting,...show more content...
'Kane's investigation ploy carries us toward analyzing how causality and goal–orientated characters
may operate in narratives' (David Bordwell, 1979, p. 78). Citizen Kane has five narrators, Susan
Kane's second wife, Leland a close friend who gives a personal input, Raymond who was Kane's
butler, Bernstein his friend and employee and finally Thatcher the banker who became his legal
guardian. Thompson had tracked each individual down to recover as much information as possible
on Kane to include in his investigation. Each account is varies quite a lot as every narrator had a
different opinion on Kane. Using numerous narrators can work extremely well as it gives different
sides to the story and diverse opinion which helps in having an unbiased investigation. The plot of
Kane becomes more complex due to the fact there is numerous sides to different stories coming from
individual narrators. This form of narration has important effects for the film. 'While Thompson uses
the various narrators to gather data, the plot uses them to both furnish with story information and to
conceal information' (David Bordwell, 1979, p. 88). The fact that Welles uses five narrators shows
the audience that not one person themselves can be aware of all the information. This technique of
narration works particularly well in this film. The fact that there are numerous accounts
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The party is roaring as the camera descends on the celebratory dinner at the Inquirer. As old and
new reporters alike engage in merry conversation, the beloved publisher Mr Kane stands to make
a toast. As all eyes fall on him, he envisions a beautiful future for the newspaper. After his old
friend Mr Bernstein heckles him, Kane just smiles. "You don't expect me to keep these promises,
do you, Mr Bernstein?" Although this exchange is quite brief, it is quite telling about the
personality of Kane, who is a man who will say (and do) anything to reach his personal aims. A
drama brought to the world by renowned writer–turned–producer–turned–director Orson Welles,
Citizen Kane (1941) was created by a team of visionaries, including producer George Schaefer,
cinematographer Gregg Toland, and composer Bernard Herrmann. Made by no fewer than five
screenwriters, Citizen Kane is an iconic film that stands the test of the time. Citizen Kane is the best
film of all time as it features a gripping storyline, meaningful lighting and props in mise–en–scene,
intricate cinematography, effective editing, and compelling sound design.
This film tells a story of the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane. It is pieced together by multiple
flashbacks of his past life as he grew up. After witnessing Kane's death, in the beginning, we the
audience follow a reporter as he searches for the significance of Kane's last words, "Rosebud." The
film jumps around in many large cities like New York, Chicago, and
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Citizen Kane Film Techniques
The 1941 classical masterpiece, Citizen Kane, written, directed and produced by Orson Welles,
was ahead of its time. Welles plays the protagonist, Charles Foster Kane. The plot of Citizen Kane
follows a journalist as he tries to make sense of the tycoon's dying last word, "Rosebud". The film
is considered one of the greatest of all time, not only for the story, but also for its many cinematic
advances. There are many reasons why the movie challenged the traditional techniques and elements
of classic Hollywood cinema. Citizen Kane made significant contributions to cinematography. One
of the most notable contributions came from the use of a technique known as deep focus (Dirks,
n.d.). Deep focus refers to having the entire shot, both...show more content...
The movie also makes use of different shot types, such as wide range and low angle. In the office
shots at the Inquirer, the low angle shots required the set to have actual ceilings.
The mise–en–scene was crucial in Citizen Kane, consisting of setting, costume, makeup, staging, and
lighting. The movie covers a long period of time and ages the characters throughout. The lighting
keeps the investigator in the shadows for the length of the movie, never showing his face giving the
audience a sense of mistrust or shadiness. Some scenes seem small unable to contain Kane's
personality, while in the vastness of Xanadu he is isolated and small (Mooney, 2015).
Another stylistic element was the superior and innovative editing of the film. Shots were combined
using different forms, such as cut, fade, dissolve and wipe. The innovative technique known as the
wipe was introduced in Citizen Kane, where one image is wiped off the screen by another (Dirks,
n.d.). Welles adopted Hollywood editing techniques such as the shot–reverse shot technique and
shock cuts. The film also made use of a mobile camera transitioning the shot from the Thatcher
library, through the El Rancho sign and skylight until it settles on Susan Alexander Kane drinking at
a table. Welles further used a sequential chronicling montage in the breakfast scene to illustrate
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Citizen Kane Analysis
Citizen Kane represents a long period of time, allowing the characters to age throughout the film.
Telling Kane's life story in flashbacks is a very original approach in captivating the significance of
his life. The film starts out by the parents almost abandoning their child, even when he does not
want to leave. Kane's mother did it out of protection from his father because he seemed to be an
abusive alcoholic. As the film went on and Kane started to grow, he became very well known for his
success in the newspaper business. He would tell the world the truth. The most interesting thing was
the flashbacks were told through five different points–of–view. The flashback was given from
characters that would mostly be forgotten. The unreliable narrators affect the opinions and
accuracy of their interpretations. The camerawork had a very huge impact on the film. The way
the actors were captured and how it showed how certain events lead to others. For example, the
audience saw how in the beginning of the film Kane was a very happy young child, but as things
began to change, the camera isolated Kane and his parents, as they planned to separate Kane from
his home. Once they separated Kane from his home, he begun to isolate everything and everyone
else who tried to get close to him. Kane's isolation follows him into his adulthood, where we see his
workers celebrating in honor of his success and Kane is not there with them. The way the story was
told made the audience question as to why
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Citizen Kane Film Analysis
Citizen Kane is a movie about Charles Foster Kane, a publishing tycoon, who was taken away
from his parents when he was a child, to be given a life full of opportunity, only to die alone, with
no one to comfort him. This movie was one of the first movies to challenge the traditional narrative
and technical elements of Hollywood Cinema. Classic Hollywood cinema, which developed
between 1917 and 1960, was a particular way that films were produced during this era. It consisted
of certain technical devices to establish narrative logic, cinematic time, and cinematic space
(Wikipedia, 2016). Orson Welles, who directed, produced and starred in the movie, deviated from
telling the story in traditional narrative, which was often told by one person...show more content...
It also ends with a resolution. Citizen Kane deviated from this type of narrative. A reporter named
Thompson goes out on an assignment to find answers regarding Kane's last words "Rosebud". He
decides he will interview everyone from Charles Kane's life. As these characters are older now,
everything is shown as a flashback. For example, the reporter interviews Leland, who is shown in
a nursing home as an old man. The flashback is told from his point of view. Another example is
when the reporter interviews Susan Alexander while she is drunk, in what appears to be a bar. This
character, who is Kane's mistress–turned–wife, recounts her life with Kane, providing a different
perspective of Kane for the viewer. Once again, this type of narrative was uncommon during this
era. It was also uncommon for there to be no resolution for the main characters in Hollywood
cinema. The characters (specifically the reporter) never did find out what Kane's dying words really
meant. The audience, however, did see the sled with "Rosebud" scripted on the front, being burned
with all of Kane's valuables. It left the audience to come up with their own
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Citizen Kane Mise En Scene Analysis
Citizen Kane, directed by the talented Orson Welles, is one of the most significant films ever made.
The techniques used in Citizen Kane were truly pioneering for the industry at the time they were
used. Citizen Kane challenged the traditional narrative and technical elements of classic Hollywood
cinema through the use of multiple narrators all with their own backstory to convey, revolutionary
use of mise–en–scene to display certain meanings and emotions throughout the film, and the
significant social implications of the film. Strong narrative is the backbone of any fictional film.
Orson Welles employs the use of multiple narrators to tell the story of Mr. Kane. There were four
main storytellers all with their own backstory and view
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Citizen Kane Essay
Orson Welles' cinematic classic, Citizen Kane, is a film that centers on a group of reporter's
investigation into the meaning of Charles Foster Kane's last word, "Rosebud." Through their
investigation of his last words, the team of reporters, is presented with an almost, but not quite,
complete picture of "Citizen" Kane's life. By assuming that the man's last word was as grandiose
as his life, the reporters miss out on the bigger, more holistic picture, which is Charles Foster Kane's
life. The reporters' emphasis of attention on what turns out to be a small and trivial, although they
never find that out, aspect of Kane's life, make Citizen Kane a perfect example of the pitfalls of
over–interpretation....show more content...
Whenever something is broken down into its component parts and these component parts are
analyzed and interpreted individually, some of their meaning is lost. For example, a doctor who
specializes in the heart, a cardiologist, knows a whole lot about a small aspect of the greater whole,
the human body. By studying the heart in isolation, with no connection to the rest of the body or its
organs, some of the hearts "meaning" is lost. Just saying that the "heart pumps blood" is meaningless
to the layperson ignorant of biology. The questions of why the heart pumps blood, what is blood,
and how does the heart interact with other organs still remain. Not to mention more specific
questions such as how other organs, such as teeth, which an orthodontist would be more likely to
know, are effected by and affect the heart. A movement within psychology, known as Gestalt
psychology, summed this holistic ideology up nicely with its tenet "The whole is greater than the
sum of its parts."
It follows from this argument that if a piece of art is broken down into its component parts to be
analyzed and interpreted, the form or structure of the artwork is ignored. By focusing one's attention
on specific and possibly trivial aspects of the piece of art's content, the piece's overall structure is
not considered. In respect to Citizen Kane the over–interpretation of "Rosebud," leads the reporters
to ignore the structure of
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Citizen Kane: Film Analysis Essay
Since the beginning of the Industrial Age, Americans have idealized the journey towards
economic success. One thing people do not realize, however, is that that journey is not the same
for every individual. For Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), the main character of Citizen Kane,
directed by Orson Welles, the path towards riches and a fulfilled life is being well liked. He serves
to please others. He strives for that attention. This view cost him his happiness in the end. In this
man's rise and fall through prosperity, Welles shows the futility of striving solely for likeability.
The movie starts out in Kane's childhood home, before his life changed forever. His family is
visited by a rich bank owner named Jerry Thompson (William...show more content...
He does not care to bring honesty to the people, as he insists when he first comes into owning the
newspaper. He wants to control people, to gain massive influence.
This wish for control is also seen in his love life. His first wife is Emily Monroe Norton (Ruth
Warrick), the niece of the current President of the United States. This connection itself gives Kane
more power, even an opportunity to become governor. One can even say that is only reason he
marries her: for influence, not love. When Emily starts to realize this, their marriage continually
deteriorates until they are hardly speaking at all. Kane's second love interest is Susan Alexander
(Dorothy Comingore). The first time they met, he proceeds to control her. He insists that she sing
professionally, even when she argues against it. Their relationship is uncovered, causing Emily to
get a divorce. Kane marries Susan soon after. However, it is the same cycle over again. He tries to
control everything, she gets annoyed, the marriage deteriorates. After he builds Xanadu, the palace,
she is so fed up that she leaves him as well. His desperation for attention and control costs him a
family.
Citizen Kane shows why one should not wish for attention and influence alone. If one tries to take
full control of their life, it will go out of control. It is happiness and being content with life that is
important. If that includes backpacking across the world, then that is that. If it includes making a
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Citizen Kane: Film Analysis
The number one film, "Citizen Kane," was directed by Orson Welles in 1941. Although it is not
boldly stated in the film, the story was about William Randolph Hearst. Welles defied tradition with
this film. He made it about a powerfully, well–known man, who upset him, and the film's opening
was a dead screen. By utilizing the dead screen, Welles demonstrated that his film would be different
and unique than the rest. The film begins with the camera moving vertically as it shows the fences
changing. There is then a lapse dissolve from the fence to the intricate gate. Welles focused greatly
on lapse dissolves with this film. There are many distinct times in which there was lapse dissolve.
Another lapse dissolve in the beginning of the film was
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Citizen Kane Film Analysis
Discuss to what extent citizen Kane changed film and the golden era of cinema
The film was made in 1941 and won best screenplay at the Oscars and was also nominated for best
picture, best director, best actor and best cinematography. It was directed by Orsen Welles and its
main actors were Joseph Cotten , Dorothy Comingore and Agnes Moorehead. The film has aged
incredibly in the last 75 years from its release and has defined film in how good it really was. Citizen
Kane changed the way movies are made because it became the starting point for many filmmakers
first learning about how films are made and how a director can give a film a particular style. The
editing (by Robert Wise) was as innovative as the cinematography by Gregg Toland– add these two
talents to the talent of director Orson Welles not knowing how to direct properly and you have
stylistic flourishes and a film that still impresses today. It didn't immediately change how movies
were made citizen Kane was actually a somewhat forgotten film for several years until it was
rediscovered in the late 50s – but it was definitely ground–breaking and many of the techniques used
were copied and used by later directors.
The question of is citizen Kane the greatest film ever made is certainly an intriguing one as the
best film ever cannot exist. Every single person in the world can have a different opinion of which
movie is the greatest ever. There is a large population in the world who consider citizen Kane the
best movie
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Film Analysis : ' Citizen Kane ' Essay
To help create his debut film Citizen Kane, Orson Welles assembled a talented group of artists and
technicians who together produced a film that redefined cinema forever. During the film's
production process, Welles himself stated that making a film "is the biggest electric train set any
boy ever had." By this he meant that the production studio was his playground and he intended to
use every tool at his disposal. Starting from the film's very first shot; he proves this to be true. As the
film begins, the camera silently cranes up over the fences that surround Charles Foster Kane's
mansion and then slowly transitions to a montage of palatial estate. In this unique sequence the
viewer understands that they are watching no ordinary film! Since its release in 1941, Citizen Kane
consistently is called one of the greatest films ever made. It also is one of the most analyzed films
ever created as well. In watching the film, a person can select from a countless number of famous
scenes on which to review, comment, admire, and draw conclusions. For this assignment, I chose
my personal favorite scene from the film to analyze in depth. The scene occurs near the end of the
film just as Kane's second wife Susan Alexander leaves him for good. The scene lasts about 3 and a
half minutes in length, consists of 12 shots, contains almost no music, and just one word of dialogue
is spoken. However, even with these limitations, the scene has more impact and film techniques
packed into it
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Citizen Kane Analysis
The use of deep focus also manipulates the viewers perspective. In Citizen Kane, Charles Kane
and his wife, Susan Kane, are seen within their mansion. (1:47:17) In the mansion, the viewer is
able to see everything within the shot. They can see the massive statues and proportions of the
inanimate objects compared to the humans. This scene allows the audience to witness Susan and
Charles sitting so far apart within this one room, so much so they have to yell to converse. This
both supports Susan's statement when she says that she is lonesome and it also foreshadows the
space that continues to grow between Susan and Charles Kane. This particular scene also supports
the idea that Charles Kane was very alone towards the end of his life after Susan had left him. This
was because he was only surrounded by the objects around him. All he had left were the
materialistic belongings he had bought earlier in his lifetime. In The Social Network, there are also
examples of extreme proportion sizes, although not nearly as dramatic as in Citizen Kane. Such as
the scene when Mark runs up a set of stairs towards a building on the Harvard campus. He runs up
very large set of stairs, something that is not commonly seen other than in front of buildings or
monuments of importance. The audience can witness the immense pillars behind him. Most of the
structures shown in this scene are made of marble, this is also something that is usually seen in
places of importance. (6:54) This allows the audience
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Citizen Kane Analysis
Through his 1941 film, Citizen Kane, Orson Welles' portrays the complex nature of individuals as he
explores the defining characteristics of the human condition through the depiction of the protagonist,
Charles Foster Kane. The film's enduring values is attributed to its explorations of relevant
contextual concerns present throughout the 20th century and contemporary society. Through Welles'
use of innovative cinematic construction and textual flair, Welles highlights the complexities in
shaping an individual's identity, whilst also exploring the corrupting nature power has on an
individual and their relations. Through the fragmented portrayal of Kane, we are positioned to
understand the complexity of defining an identity. Welles'...show more content...
Thompson's epiphany "I don't think any word can explain a man's life", when he describes Rosebud
as "just a piece of a jigsaw puzzle", serves as a motif to reflect Kane's fragmented and incomplete
identity, thus presenting Citizen Kane itself as a puzzle, subsequently manifesting as the camera
pans out from Xanadu to the "No Trespassing" sign, completing the cyclic structure of the film
emphasising our incapacity to understand Kane's true identity, thus undermining our efforts to
decipher Kane's world. Thus, the innovation and insight of Citizen Kane engages us through its
exploration of the intricacy of human identity. Welles' commentary on the controversial, yet
universal contextual ideal of the American Dream is developed through Kane's corruptive nature for
the pursuit of power. This is exhibited within the "Declaration of Principles", which at first, Kane's
youthful self pledges to be "a fighting and tireless champion for rights". His use of emotive language,
in combination with his white attire symbolises his initial pure determined ethics. However, the use
of chiaroscuro lighting overshadows Kane, foreshadowing his eventual downfall. Ultimately, his
corruption is subsequently exposed as he tears up the Declaration, mockingly referring it to as an
"antique" revealing Kane's descent into corruption and its repercussions on his moral integrity.
Consequently, his ambition for power is revealed to have transformed his initial
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Citizen Kane Essay
The film Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, is a great example of how a man can be
corrupted by wealth. Through the characters in the film we can observe how Charles Foster Kane,
an idealistic man with principles, can be changed and misguided by wealth and what accompanies
wealth. The film takes places during the late 19th century and early 20th century, a time in
American history when the world is changing and wealth is a great power to change it with.
Through the story telling of Kane's life we are able to see how wealth changes, not only Kane's
ideals, but his actions and how he perceives the world.
The corruption of idealism by wealth can be seen throughout the film, especially through the thoughts
...show more content...
When his second wife leaves him Kane realizes the corruption wealth has done on his life and says
"rosebud" because he wants to return to his sled, his childhood, to return to the beginning when
wealth has yet to corrupt him. Citizen Kane is the story of a man's great ideas to make the world
better, but unable to because of the corruption wealth brought him.
Citizen Kane is set at a time in American History where the world is changing and money is at the
center of that world. For example, during this period of time wealth has become more important
in America has more new money arrives. Kane is a part of this new money sweep across America
and like everyone else is stretching his power and wealth. He stretches it so much that he loses
sight of his objection, which is replaced by his obsession to be in control and make all the
decisions, a power which he finds through wealth. But it is because of this obsession that his
idealistic world is corrupted. Furthermore, the film revolves most around a newspaper. A newspaper
reaches everyone and during this time one of the only few mass media. It is through the newspaper
that Kane stretches his wealth and influence. He is corrupted by the power that the newspaper gives
him. In addition, Kane is constantly surrounded by beautiful things and people, until the end of the
movie when
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Film Analysis: Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film by Orson Welles, who was its producer, co–author,
director and star. The film is about news reporters following the death of a publishing tycoon, they
scramble to discover the meaning of his final word that he spoke: "Rosebud". Citizen Kane won the
title as the greatest film ever made when it topped the 1962 Sight and Sound poll. It held the top
spot for 50 years until it fell to second behind Vertigo (1958). The film is commonly praised for its
intricate plot, filled with flashbacks that shuffle the chronology of Kane's life, its extraordinary
performances, its marvelous technical stunts, and its deep–focus photography. The story telling
technique is one of the techniques that made this movie different
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Use Of Cinematic Techniques In Citizen Kane
The 1940s film industry favored films that were based on reality, such as Citizen Kane. Orson
Welles is the director of the 1941 film, Citizen Kane, which uses the cinematic techniques of long
takes and deep focus shots. Long takes and deep focus shots are associated with space and time. I
will be writing about scene D where Susan, the second Ms. Kane, is in the middle of a singing
lesson. Scene D contains examples of long takes, deep focus takes, and camera movements. Firstly, a
long take is defined as a take that has no cuts and continues for a while without being interrupted.
Susan's singing lesson scene is an example of a long take because the scene in uninterrupted. The
scene begins when older Susan recalls her husband, Mr. Kane's obsession with her singing voice.
Then the shot turns into Susan's memory of a singing lesson where her singing coach does not
believe she has a talent for singing. Furthermore, as the coach is complaining about Susan's voice,
Mr. Kane walks into the room and reprimands the teacher. The function of the long shot in this
scene is to depict the power Mr. Kane has in the scene, even though he is not present throughout the
entire shot. Additionally, the singing coach, the pianist, and Susan are all present for Mr. Kane's
benefit. Furthermore, Mr. Kane was attempting to salvage his image in the media. Mr. Kane forced
Susan to be a singer and therefore he hired a singing coach to train her, and the pianist, which is
why the characters were all
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Citizen Kane Analysis Essay

  • 1. Citizen Kane Analysis Sad Man Citizen Kane is a movie that can be rewritten and implemented into any film created today. In many ways, the storyline tells us more about ourselves than anything else and it relates to each one of us who has ever wished for a better life. From his flamboyant adventures to the blah blah to his political agenda in his later years. Every film that came after Citizen Kane owes a great deal to Orson Welles because of the way he used special effects, music, and shadows and lighting, which without a doubt makes it one of the finest movies ever made. Some even call it the Mona Lisa of its time because Orson Welles was the first to implement all of these techniques, which revolutionize cinema forever. It is believed that more than 50 percent of the film involved special effects. One of the many reasons is because the film itself was made on a budget and the other being "for the nature and scope of its subject" (The Denny Life) to keep costs down. One of the methods that revolutionize cinematography was the introduction of a technique known as deep focus by Orson Welles. Deep focus is the use of "having everything in the frame even the background in focus at the same time" contrary to "having only the people or object in the foreground in focus" (The Denny Life). Moreover, the deep focus technique requires the cinematographer to combine lighting, composition, and type of camera lens to produce the desired effect. For example, Orson Welles use this technique on Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Citizen Kane : Character Analysis : Citizen Kane Character Analysis: Kane Citizen Kane one of the consistently top ranked films of all time, A film that would change the course and style of film from that point on Its ability to direct the audience's attention with its many remarkable and breath–taking scenes. It employed many new cinematic and innovative techniques that apply to lighting, sound mixing and editing that been emulated ever since. The character that we see take the greatest advantages of these new techniques is Charles Foster Kane, utilizing direction of amore layer character combined with impressive set design that inform on the characters state of mind. Citizen Kane is a visual and theatrical work of art utilizing many techniques to create a character that stands the...show more content... Kane is almost always shown in the most prominent position in the frame never in a place with less power but the one place where the audience will pay attention to him first, the Mise–en–scene. One of the first time we see him in frame with a reflection was when he was staring the picture of the chronicle staff. He stares at it with almost a smug look his face showing off the desire for the staff that could turn his small newspaper into something that would help him reach the masses and make people listen to him, to increase his circulation. The group is also framed on the left side of the screen a position of dominance in film, also the first direction the eyes are typically drawn to when something changes on screen. Mr. Kane is shown in this reflection at the front of his group smoking his cigar and his two friends still behind him, so this helps emphasis that at this point in his life he still has people backing him, still willing to support him no matter what he did. Another, example of how the set is designed to show his current state of mind is when he was having breakfast with his first wife they start very close while complementing each other Kane is still close enough to hear his wife to directly interact with her and take on the request of hers staying in bed longer by pushing off his appointments till noon. However, after a Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Film Analysis: Citizen Kane Throughout the movie Citizen Kane, Welles uses framing and the visual aspect of movies to bolster the theme he is trying to convey. Perhaps the most striking example of this is when Kane is sitting at the dinner table with his first wife, Emily. At first, the table is a normal size, and the two can have a conversation and live happily. However, as Kane becomes more engrossed in his business and the love of power takes over his life, the table grows to the point where the couple is a whole room's length away from each other. This also shows in this emotional distance and lack of conversation. This scene is especially indicative of how Kane's life has been ruined by his quest for power, and how his lack of a childhood affected his life. He was Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Citizen Kane Techniques Citizen Kane Citizen Kane is often called the greatest film ever made. Its use of film techniques often taken for granted nowadays were completely new and had not been done before. Simple things like ceilings on the sets and realistic scenes such as the newsreel, which would not stand out in a modern film, were combined to make a film full of innovative techniques. The director, Orson Welles, developed the use of deep focus to make the flat cinema screen almost become three dimensional, which added a realism that had not been explored before. Right from the start, a viewer can see the innovation displayed by Welles. The opening scene, one of the most famous in the entire film, begins with the...show more content... This happens just as Kane dies, so it is both a signal that he has passed away, and a metaphor of the light of life going out. The opening scene also contains the first instance of something being viewed through a piece of glass and of just the reflection of what is going on being seen, in this case, both at once. These techniques make the audience unsure of what they are seeing and are used at other times throughout the film. Realism is a major reason why "Citizen Kane" stands out from other films of the time. However, it is the way realism and theatrical effects are mixed together that truly marks it out as one of the greatest films ever made. Ceilings on the set allowed for scenes lit by normal lightbulbs, giving the appearance of real rooms, but the theatrical spotlights through the windows in the newsreel showing room and the library highlight parts of the scenery, leaving others in shadow. The people working on "Citizen Kane" went to great lengths to get authentic–looking film for the newsreel. It was degraded using sand to give a grainy look as opposed to the smooth film used for the main picture. Also in the newsreel, the jerky cuts, when Kane spills cement on his coat then is shown clean, give a more genuine feel to the footage. The newsreel scene can also be viewed as a parody of an actual news programme of the time, "March of Time". This Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Citizen Kane Techniques Citizen Kane is directed, produced by and stars Orson Welles and was made in 1941. Citizen Kane follows the life of famous newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane and was a very controversial film for its time. Citizen Kane does not come under one specific film genre but falls under the heading of several interesting genres, which include biography, narrative, detective and news–paper reporter genre. 'Film Noir' is also associated with Citizen Kane as it has many genres but also a very specific style that differs from the classical norm of Hollywood movies. This movie became extremely significant for its time and changed the face of film history. Orson Welles brought about a new way of filming with his use of low angle shots, three point lighting,...show more content... 'Kane's investigation ploy carries us toward analyzing how causality and goal–orientated characters may operate in narratives' (David Bordwell, 1979, p. 78). Citizen Kane has five narrators, Susan Kane's second wife, Leland a close friend who gives a personal input, Raymond who was Kane's butler, Bernstein his friend and employee and finally Thatcher the banker who became his legal guardian. Thompson had tracked each individual down to recover as much information as possible on Kane to include in his investigation. Each account is varies quite a lot as every narrator had a different opinion on Kane. Using numerous narrators can work extremely well as it gives different sides to the story and diverse opinion which helps in having an unbiased investigation. The plot of Kane becomes more complex due to the fact there is numerous sides to different stories coming from individual narrators. This form of narration has important effects for the film. 'While Thompson uses the various narrators to gather data, the plot uses them to both furnish with story information and to conceal information' (David Bordwell, 1979, p. 88). The fact that Welles uses five narrators shows the audience that not one person themselves can be aware of all the information. This technique of narration works particularly well in this film. The fact that there are numerous accounts Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. The party is roaring as the camera descends on the celebratory dinner at the Inquirer. As old and new reporters alike engage in merry conversation, the beloved publisher Mr Kane stands to make a toast. As all eyes fall on him, he envisions a beautiful future for the newspaper. After his old friend Mr Bernstein heckles him, Kane just smiles. "You don't expect me to keep these promises, do you, Mr Bernstein?" Although this exchange is quite brief, it is quite telling about the personality of Kane, who is a man who will say (and do) anything to reach his personal aims. A drama brought to the world by renowned writer–turned–producer–turned–director Orson Welles, Citizen Kane (1941) was created by a team of visionaries, including producer George Schaefer, cinematographer Gregg Toland, and composer Bernard Herrmann. Made by no fewer than five screenwriters, Citizen Kane is an iconic film that stands the test of the time. Citizen Kane is the best film of all time as it features a gripping storyline, meaningful lighting and props in mise–en–scene, intricate cinematography, effective editing, and compelling sound design. This film tells a story of the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane. It is pieced together by multiple flashbacks of his past life as he grew up. After witnessing Kane's death, in the beginning, we the audience follow a reporter as he searches for the significance of Kane's last words, "Rosebud." The film jumps around in many large cities like New York, Chicago, and Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Citizen Kane Film Techniques The 1941 classical masterpiece, Citizen Kane, written, directed and produced by Orson Welles, was ahead of its time. Welles plays the protagonist, Charles Foster Kane. The plot of Citizen Kane follows a journalist as he tries to make sense of the tycoon's dying last word, "Rosebud". The film is considered one of the greatest of all time, not only for the story, but also for its many cinematic advances. There are many reasons why the movie challenged the traditional techniques and elements of classic Hollywood cinema. Citizen Kane made significant contributions to cinematography. One of the most notable contributions came from the use of a technique known as deep focus (Dirks, n.d.). Deep focus refers to having the entire shot, both...show more content... The movie also makes use of different shot types, such as wide range and low angle. In the office shots at the Inquirer, the low angle shots required the set to have actual ceilings. The mise–en–scene was crucial in Citizen Kane, consisting of setting, costume, makeup, staging, and lighting. The movie covers a long period of time and ages the characters throughout. The lighting keeps the investigator in the shadows for the length of the movie, never showing his face giving the audience a sense of mistrust or shadiness. Some scenes seem small unable to contain Kane's personality, while in the vastness of Xanadu he is isolated and small (Mooney, 2015). Another stylistic element was the superior and innovative editing of the film. Shots were combined using different forms, such as cut, fade, dissolve and wipe. The innovative technique known as the wipe was introduced in Citizen Kane, where one image is wiped off the screen by another (Dirks, n.d.). Welles adopted Hollywood editing techniques such as the shot–reverse shot technique and shock cuts. The film also made use of a mobile camera transitioning the shot from the Thatcher library, through the El Rancho sign and skylight until it settles on Susan Alexander Kane drinking at a table. Welles further used a sequential chronicling montage in the breakfast scene to illustrate Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. Citizen Kane Analysis Citizen Kane represents a long period of time, allowing the characters to age throughout the film. Telling Kane's life story in flashbacks is a very original approach in captivating the significance of his life. The film starts out by the parents almost abandoning their child, even when he does not want to leave. Kane's mother did it out of protection from his father because he seemed to be an abusive alcoholic. As the film went on and Kane started to grow, he became very well known for his success in the newspaper business. He would tell the world the truth. The most interesting thing was the flashbacks were told through five different points–of–view. The flashback was given from characters that would mostly be forgotten. The unreliable narrators affect the opinions and accuracy of their interpretations. The camerawork had a very huge impact on the film. The way the actors were captured and how it showed how certain events lead to others. For example, the audience saw how in the beginning of the film Kane was a very happy young child, but as things began to change, the camera isolated Kane and his parents, as they planned to separate Kane from his home. Once they separated Kane from his home, he begun to isolate everything and everyone else who tried to get close to him. Kane's isolation follows him into his adulthood, where we see his workers celebrating in honor of his success and Kane is not there with them. The way the story was told made the audience question as to why Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Citizen Kane Film Analysis Citizen Kane is a movie about Charles Foster Kane, a publishing tycoon, who was taken away from his parents when he was a child, to be given a life full of opportunity, only to die alone, with no one to comfort him. This movie was one of the first movies to challenge the traditional narrative and technical elements of Hollywood Cinema. Classic Hollywood cinema, which developed between 1917 and 1960, was a particular way that films were produced during this era. It consisted of certain technical devices to establish narrative logic, cinematic time, and cinematic space (Wikipedia, 2016). Orson Welles, who directed, produced and starred in the movie, deviated from telling the story in traditional narrative, which was often told by one person...show more content... It also ends with a resolution. Citizen Kane deviated from this type of narrative. A reporter named Thompson goes out on an assignment to find answers regarding Kane's last words "Rosebud". He decides he will interview everyone from Charles Kane's life. As these characters are older now, everything is shown as a flashback. For example, the reporter interviews Leland, who is shown in a nursing home as an old man. The flashback is told from his point of view. Another example is when the reporter interviews Susan Alexander while she is drunk, in what appears to be a bar. This character, who is Kane's mistress–turned–wife, recounts her life with Kane, providing a different perspective of Kane for the viewer. Once again, this type of narrative was uncommon during this era. It was also uncommon for there to be no resolution for the main characters in Hollywood cinema. The characters (specifically the reporter) never did find out what Kane's dying words really meant. The audience, however, did see the sled with "Rosebud" scripted on the front, being burned with all of Kane's valuables. It left the audience to come up with their own Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Citizen Kane Mise En Scene Analysis Citizen Kane, directed by the talented Orson Welles, is one of the most significant films ever made. The techniques used in Citizen Kane were truly pioneering for the industry at the time they were used. Citizen Kane challenged the traditional narrative and technical elements of classic Hollywood cinema through the use of multiple narrators all with their own backstory to convey, revolutionary use of mise–en–scene to display certain meanings and emotions throughout the film, and the significant social implications of the film. Strong narrative is the backbone of any fictional film. Orson Welles employs the use of multiple narrators to tell the story of Mr. Kane. There were four main storytellers all with their own backstory and view Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. Citizen Kane Essay Orson Welles' cinematic classic, Citizen Kane, is a film that centers on a group of reporter's investigation into the meaning of Charles Foster Kane's last word, "Rosebud." Through their investigation of his last words, the team of reporters, is presented with an almost, but not quite, complete picture of "Citizen" Kane's life. By assuming that the man's last word was as grandiose as his life, the reporters miss out on the bigger, more holistic picture, which is Charles Foster Kane's life. The reporters' emphasis of attention on what turns out to be a small and trivial, although they never find that out, aspect of Kane's life, make Citizen Kane a perfect example of the pitfalls of over–interpretation....show more content... Whenever something is broken down into its component parts and these component parts are analyzed and interpreted individually, some of their meaning is lost. For example, a doctor who specializes in the heart, a cardiologist, knows a whole lot about a small aspect of the greater whole, the human body. By studying the heart in isolation, with no connection to the rest of the body or its organs, some of the hearts "meaning" is lost. Just saying that the "heart pumps blood" is meaningless to the layperson ignorant of biology. The questions of why the heart pumps blood, what is blood, and how does the heart interact with other organs still remain. Not to mention more specific questions such as how other organs, such as teeth, which an orthodontist would be more likely to know, are effected by and affect the heart. A movement within psychology, known as Gestalt psychology, summed this holistic ideology up nicely with its tenet "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." It follows from this argument that if a piece of art is broken down into its component parts to be analyzed and interpreted, the form or structure of the artwork is ignored. By focusing one's attention on specific and possibly trivial aspects of the piece of art's content, the piece's overall structure is not considered. In respect to Citizen Kane the over–interpretation of "Rosebud," leads the reporters to ignore the structure of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Citizen Kane: Film Analysis Essay Since the beginning of the Industrial Age, Americans have idealized the journey towards economic success. One thing people do not realize, however, is that that journey is not the same for every individual. For Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), the main character of Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, the path towards riches and a fulfilled life is being well liked. He serves to please others. He strives for that attention. This view cost him his happiness in the end. In this man's rise and fall through prosperity, Welles shows the futility of striving solely for likeability. The movie starts out in Kane's childhood home, before his life changed forever. His family is visited by a rich bank owner named Jerry Thompson (William...show more content... He does not care to bring honesty to the people, as he insists when he first comes into owning the newspaper. He wants to control people, to gain massive influence. This wish for control is also seen in his love life. His first wife is Emily Monroe Norton (Ruth Warrick), the niece of the current President of the United States. This connection itself gives Kane more power, even an opportunity to become governor. One can even say that is only reason he marries her: for influence, not love. When Emily starts to realize this, their marriage continually deteriorates until they are hardly speaking at all. Kane's second love interest is Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore). The first time they met, he proceeds to control her. He insists that she sing professionally, even when she argues against it. Their relationship is uncovered, causing Emily to get a divorce. Kane marries Susan soon after. However, it is the same cycle over again. He tries to control everything, she gets annoyed, the marriage deteriorates. After he builds Xanadu, the palace, she is so fed up that she leaves him as well. His desperation for attention and control costs him a family. Citizen Kane shows why one should not wish for attention and influence alone. If one tries to take full control of their life, it will go out of control. It is happiness and being content with life that is important. If that includes backpacking across the world, then that is that. If it includes making a Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. Citizen Kane: Film Analysis The number one film, "Citizen Kane," was directed by Orson Welles in 1941. Although it is not boldly stated in the film, the story was about William Randolph Hearst. Welles defied tradition with this film. He made it about a powerfully, well–known man, who upset him, and the film's opening was a dead screen. By utilizing the dead screen, Welles demonstrated that his film would be different and unique than the rest. The film begins with the camera moving vertically as it shows the fences changing. There is then a lapse dissolve from the fence to the intricate gate. Welles focused greatly on lapse dissolves with this film. There are many distinct times in which there was lapse dissolve. Another lapse dissolve in the beginning of the film was Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Citizen Kane Film Analysis Discuss to what extent citizen Kane changed film and the golden era of cinema The film was made in 1941 and won best screenplay at the Oscars and was also nominated for best picture, best director, best actor and best cinematography. It was directed by Orsen Welles and its main actors were Joseph Cotten , Dorothy Comingore and Agnes Moorehead. The film has aged incredibly in the last 75 years from its release and has defined film in how good it really was. Citizen Kane changed the way movies are made because it became the starting point for many filmmakers first learning about how films are made and how a director can give a film a particular style. The editing (by Robert Wise) was as innovative as the cinematography by Gregg Toland– add these two talents to the talent of director Orson Welles not knowing how to direct properly and you have stylistic flourishes and a film that still impresses today. It didn't immediately change how movies were made citizen Kane was actually a somewhat forgotten film for several years until it was rediscovered in the late 50s – but it was definitely ground–breaking and many of the techniques used were copied and used by later directors. The question of is citizen Kane the greatest film ever made is certainly an intriguing one as the best film ever cannot exist. Every single person in the world can have a different opinion of which movie is the greatest ever. There is a large population in the world who consider citizen Kane the best movie Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. Film Analysis : ' Citizen Kane ' Essay To help create his debut film Citizen Kane, Orson Welles assembled a talented group of artists and technicians who together produced a film that redefined cinema forever. During the film's production process, Welles himself stated that making a film "is the biggest electric train set any boy ever had." By this he meant that the production studio was his playground and he intended to use every tool at his disposal. Starting from the film's very first shot; he proves this to be true. As the film begins, the camera silently cranes up over the fences that surround Charles Foster Kane's mansion and then slowly transitions to a montage of palatial estate. In this unique sequence the viewer understands that they are watching no ordinary film! Since its release in 1941, Citizen Kane consistently is called one of the greatest films ever made. It also is one of the most analyzed films ever created as well. In watching the film, a person can select from a countless number of famous scenes on which to review, comment, admire, and draw conclusions. For this assignment, I chose my personal favorite scene from the film to analyze in depth. The scene occurs near the end of the film just as Kane's second wife Susan Alexander leaves him for good. The scene lasts about 3 and a half minutes in length, consists of 12 shots, contains almost no music, and just one word of dialogue is spoken. However, even with these limitations, the scene has more impact and film techniques packed into it Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Citizen Kane Analysis The use of deep focus also manipulates the viewers perspective. In Citizen Kane, Charles Kane and his wife, Susan Kane, are seen within their mansion. (1:47:17) In the mansion, the viewer is able to see everything within the shot. They can see the massive statues and proportions of the inanimate objects compared to the humans. This scene allows the audience to witness Susan and Charles sitting so far apart within this one room, so much so they have to yell to converse. This both supports Susan's statement when she says that she is lonesome and it also foreshadows the space that continues to grow between Susan and Charles Kane. This particular scene also supports the idea that Charles Kane was very alone towards the end of his life after Susan had left him. This was because he was only surrounded by the objects around him. All he had left were the materialistic belongings he had bought earlier in his lifetime. In The Social Network, there are also examples of extreme proportion sizes, although not nearly as dramatic as in Citizen Kane. Such as the scene when Mark runs up a set of stairs towards a building on the Harvard campus. He runs up very large set of stairs, something that is not commonly seen other than in front of buildings or monuments of importance. The audience can witness the immense pillars behind him. Most of the structures shown in this scene are made of marble, this is also something that is usually seen in places of importance. (6:54) This allows the audience Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. Citizen Kane Analysis Through his 1941 film, Citizen Kane, Orson Welles' portrays the complex nature of individuals as he explores the defining characteristics of the human condition through the depiction of the protagonist, Charles Foster Kane. The film's enduring values is attributed to its explorations of relevant contextual concerns present throughout the 20th century and contemporary society. Through Welles' use of innovative cinematic construction and textual flair, Welles highlights the complexities in shaping an individual's identity, whilst also exploring the corrupting nature power has on an individual and their relations. Through the fragmented portrayal of Kane, we are positioned to understand the complexity of defining an identity. Welles'...show more content... Thompson's epiphany "I don't think any word can explain a man's life", when he describes Rosebud as "just a piece of a jigsaw puzzle", serves as a motif to reflect Kane's fragmented and incomplete identity, thus presenting Citizen Kane itself as a puzzle, subsequently manifesting as the camera pans out from Xanadu to the "No Trespassing" sign, completing the cyclic structure of the film emphasising our incapacity to understand Kane's true identity, thus undermining our efforts to decipher Kane's world. Thus, the innovation and insight of Citizen Kane engages us through its exploration of the intricacy of human identity. Welles' commentary on the controversial, yet universal contextual ideal of the American Dream is developed through Kane's corruptive nature for the pursuit of power. This is exhibited within the "Declaration of Principles", which at first, Kane's youthful self pledges to be "a fighting and tireless champion for rights". His use of emotive language, in combination with his white attire symbolises his initial pure determined ethics. However, the use of chiaroscuro lighting overshadows Kane, foreshadowing his eventual downfall. Ultimately, his corruption is subsequently exposed as he tears up the Declaration, mockingly referring it to as an "antique" revealing Kane's descent into corruption and its repercussions on his moral integrity. Consequently, his ambition for power is revealed to have transformed his initial Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Citizen Kane Essay The film Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, is a great example of how a man can be corrupted by wealth. Through the characters in the film we can observe how Charles Foster Kane, an idealistic man with principles, can be changed and misguided by wealth and what accompanies wealth. The film takes places during the late 19th century and early 20th century, a time in American history when the world is changing and wealth is a great power to change it with. Through the story telling of Kane's life we are able to see how wealth changes, not only Kane's ideals, but his actions and how he perceives the world. The corruption of idealism by wealth can be seen throughout the film, especially through the thoughts ...show more content... When his second wife leaves him Kane realizes the corruption wealth has done on his life and says "rosebud" because he wants to return to his sled, his childhood, to return to the beginning when wealth has yet to corrupt him. Citizen Kane is the story of a man's great ideas to make the world better, but unable to because of the corruption wealth brought him. Citizen Kane is set at a time in American History where the world is changing and money is at the center of that world. For example, during this period of time wealth has become more important in America has more new money arrives. Kane is a part of this new money sweep across America and like everyone else is stretching his power and wealth. He stretches it so much that he loses sight of his objection, which is replaced by his obsession to be in control and make all the decisions, a power which he finds through wealth. But it is because of this obsession that his idealistic world is corrupted. Furthermore, the film revolves most around a newspaper. A newspaper reaches everyone and during this time one of the only few mass media. It is through the newspaper that Kane stretches his wealth and influence. He is corrupted by the power that the newspaper gives him. In addition, Kane is constantly surrounded by beautiful things and people, until the end of the movie when Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. Film Analysis: Citizen Kane Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film by Orson Welles, who was its producer, co–author, director and star. The film is about news reporters following the death of a publishing tycoon, they scramble to discover the meaning of his final word that he spoke: "Rosebud". Citizen Kane won the title as the greatest film ever made when it topped the 1962 Sight and Sound poll. It held the top spot for 50 years until it fell to second behind Vertigo (1958). The film is commonly praised for its intricate plot, filled with flashbacks that shuffle the chronology of Kane's life, its extraordinary performances, its marvelous technical stunts, and its deep–focus photography. The story telling technique is one of the techniques that made this movie different Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 20. Use Of Cinematic Techniques In Citizen Kane The 1940s film industry favored films that were based on reality, such as Citizen Kane. Orson Welles is the director of the 1941 film, Citizen Kane, which uses the cinematic techniques of long takes and deep focus shots. Long takes and deep focus shots are associated with space and time. I will be writing about scene D where Susan, the second Ms. Kane, is in the middle of a singing lesson. Scene D contains examples of long takes, deep focus takes, and camera movements. Firstly, a long take is defined as a take that has no cuts and continues for a while without being interrupted. Susan's singing lesson scene is an example of a long take because the scene in uninterrupted. The scene begins when older Susan recalls her husband, Mr. Kane's obsession with her singing voice. Then the shot turns into Susan's memory of a singing lesson where her singing coach does not believe she has a talent for singing. Furthermore, as the coach is complaining about Susan's voice, Mr. Kane walks into the room and reprimands the teacher. The function of the long shot in this scene is to depict the power Mr. Kane has in the scene, even though he is not present throughout the entire shot. Additionally, the singing coach, the pianist, and Susan are all present for Mr. Kane's benefit. Furthermore, Mr. Kane was attempting to salvage his image in the media. Mr. Kane forced Susan to be a singer and therefore he hired a singing coach to train her, and the pianist, which is why the characters were all Get more content on HelpWriting.net