Children Of Men Opening Analysis Essay

The opening scene of ‘Children of men’ represents the future, 2027.  We see the future as being represented as grey and dull due to the lighting and the mise en scene however ,we see that there is a great deal of city life. The opening also gives the idea that the city is quite polluted due to the number of vehicles that are shown there is also allot of grey smoke coming from the cars. Furthermore the city is being represented as dirty and quite dangerous due to the number of rubbish bags lying around and the many policemen that are seen. Overall the city is shown in quite a negative way and from what is shown in the opening technology does not seem to have moved on that much. In fact some of the cars that are shown look like cars that would have been used in the olden times. However it is very clear that the city being represented is London because of the use of props such as the red bus which is an item associated with London.

During the opening scene we get introduced to the main protagonist. This is shown because throughout the opening scene the main focus is on him. Although we know that he is the main protagonist we do not yet see him as a hero or in a positive light because we see him adding alcohol into his coffee, also when the explosion happens we do not see him run to help anybody. Also his appearance is quite scruffy and he is unshaven. As a result of this he does not fit all of the established ideas of what a hero in a film should be.

The lighting used in the opening scene of Children of men is natural lighting. The natural light gives of very grey, dull lighting which creates a cold effect. The majority of the colours used in the opening scene include grey and blue and black and the fact that natural lighting has been used emphasises this. The natural lighting also helps to create a more realistic feel throughout the opening scene.  

There is not much variety of camera shots during the opening. The shots that have been used include a high angle shot, a low angle shot these two shots are followed by one continuous shot which follows the main protagonist. The continuous shots allows the audience to view the setting in one go instead of a number of different shots. The Camera shots used in the opening scene do conform to normal expectations of a major feature film; however the shaky camera effect that has been included in the opening doesn’t fit into normal expectations despite this it helps to add a realistic effect to the opening. For example when we see the camera running towards the explosion this shows how effective the unsteadiness of the camera is.

The ‘Children of men’ opening shows no editing of shots. This is because the whole opening has been filmed in one shot with a handheld camera. This creates a shaky effect which makes the opening seem more realistic. The continuous shot dominates the opening. Even though there is only one shot we see allot of the setting as there is a variety of camera angles being used. An example of this is when the camera is following the protagonist out of the shop which is where the scene starts. As the camera comes out of the shop it pans away from the protagonist and then does slow pan of the setting back to the protagonist. The fact that only one shot has been used lets viewers see the setting of the opening scene in one go instead of a number of continuous shots. Also at the end of the scene when the explosion happens the use of a handheld camera really makes the explosion seem realistic as it looks as if somebody is running towards the explosion because of the way that the camera is moving.  Editing of text has also been put over the shot showing the time and date of the opening. This shows that the setting and time that the scene is happening in is very important to the film.

The sound in the opening scene of ‘children of men’ starts off with a news reader’s voice which is a very serious tone to start off with. There is no music to start off with however, the music gradually comes in and is very touching music. This is done because it matches the mood of what is happening in the shot at the at that moment. As the camera slowly moves out of the shop which is where the scene starts we hear the sound of the city mostly cars and people talking. The transition from the heart-rending and harmonious music to the sound of the loud city shows that something may happen very quickly. The differences between the music change the whole mood of the shot dramatically. Although there is sound in the opening scene it is not conventional music for

The mise-en-scene in the opening scene of ‘children of men’ Helps represent where the scene is set. The use of the red buses clearly shows viewers that the scene is in London. The lighting is natural however it is very cold and makes the setting look very dirty and grey. Also the use of props such as the bin bags on the floor show that the city at this time is very dirty and backs up what the colour suggests. The scene shows allot of use of the colours grey, blue and black which makes the shot look very dull and boring, this contrast with the bright and dramatic explosion that happens at the end of the scene. Not only are the colours in the city very dull and dreary but the characters that are in the scene all seem to be wearing very dull colours also this suggests a sense of grieving and sadness. During the shot we see two sets of police men which give the impression that the city may be quite dangerous or allot of crime may happen.  The smoke coming out of the cars also makes it seem like the city could be quite polluted not only that but the cars seem to be cars which the audience would not expect to be used in the period that the film is being in shot in which is meant to be the future. It shows that maybe people are moving back in time. However the moving images that are on the side of the building and the buses help to represent that the scene is set more in the future. There is a sense of opposition in the setting.