Witness Opening Scene Analysis Essay

THESIS: “Having not just two cultures, but two time zones”. Weir, the director of the film Witness, cleverly used juxtaposition to divide the two overlapping worlds. The dichotomy in the contemporary American society and the idealised representation of Amish people, and their dissimilar values and morals are powerfully shown visually.
Linking Sentence from the intro
Weir speculates the attitudinal divide of the values and morals of the two worlds. He focuses in the conflict of cultures and social values that they represent. In Book’s world there is only individuality; we see this in Book’s relationship with his sister and his sister’s dysfunctional family, on the other hand, the Amish are portrayed as tight-knit, morally upright community; we see this through the symbolic nature of the bell, which can unite the whole community. Weir utilises the power of lens, especially in close-ups, point of view shots and framing shots of key events, using doors and windows to direct visual attention. Lighting is a crucial element in the establishment of atmosphere, mood and shape anticipation. Jarre’s soundtrack uses a recurring anthem motif at key scenes in the narrative.
Opening Scene Analysis MISE-EN-SCENE * We see the Amish people often within the area of their land, working; this can be regarded as conveying the agricultural importance of the land of the Amish.
* The cinematography utilises the natural beauty of the landscape. This is emphasised through wide angle shots, such as fields of corn swaying with the soundtrack. * At the funeral, we see the Amish people jammed in the frame, this strengthens the idea of how the Amish are very community oriented. This also suggests that the Amish people have “no personal space”. * The twilight scene with the horse and the buggy represents their repetitive daily
lives.

CAMERA * Wide shots of the beautiful Amish landscape in broad daylight are juxtaposed to the English world shown as either crowded or at night. * Zoom, panning shots, close ups and slow motion visually emphasise the dichotomy between the two environments. * The reluctant movement of the camera conjures the rhythm of life of the Amish. * The Amish is shown “at the end of the day” with only a silhouette of their shadow, this suggests that there is no sense of individuality in their community. * The camera positioned us to perceive the sluggish movement of the cart delaying the truck behind it. This can be regarded as conveying the irony of the past holding up the future. The Amish as ‘out of time’. This idea brings out the anachronism of how different the Amish people look in our world. * The low angle shot of the train emphasise the importance of technology.

LIGHTING * The recurring motif of the shaft of lights is used to notify us that they are a spiritual people. * The natural lighting again reinforces the way Amish people live without technology. * Weir effectively uses Vermeer images to convey timelessness and a non-technological civilisation.

SOUND * The mysterious music in the opening credit introduces the mood; tone and the atmosphere to the audience that commands them to locate their positions. * The Amish time being ‘suspended’ is highlighted by the non-diegetic slow, bass music composed by Jarre. This concept is reinforced by the reluctant movement of the camera. The recurring musical motif evokes a similar emotion that invites the audience to similar response. * The diegetic sound of natural rhythms harmonises with the images of natural environment to reinforce the peaceful nature of the Amish community.

EDITING * The white on black credit signifies the ‘plainness’ of the Amish people, it also mirrors their standard type of clothing. * Seamless editing directs the viewer from scene to scene using a link e.g. diegetic sound of “clip-clop” takes the viewer to the next scene to juxtapose between the truck and the buggy (symbolises undeveloped society). During this scene, Weir highlights the irony of the Amish “past is holding up the future”. * Continuity editing/ seamless editing emphasizes smooth transition of time and space.

DIALOGUE/QUOTES * “Be careful among the English” –Eli—warning to Rachel, acceptance and warning to Book. * “You will see so many things” –Daniel –ironic
OTHER
* Toy- symbolises the type of things that the Amish values. * The AMTRAK progresses the viewer into the future. Technology drags us into the future. * Hot air balloon—symbolises adventure-old fashion & fantasy.

Murder Scene Analysis
**How does Weir convey a dangerous environment/place?
MISE-EN-SCENE
* The vertical lines when the buggy enters the town convey the urban entrapment and the social controls through the road/shop signs which are very domineering. * The hot air balloon as seen at Samuel’s point of view visually enhance his innocence as he gaze upwards, the hot air balloon is also a symbolic imagery for the beginning of the adventure. * The film noir (black film) representations of dark and dirty cities and congested police stations are juxtaposed with the non-technological Amish landscape. * Mainstream society- “bleak”, “dirty”, “neglected” * The setting is set at the station of convey an iconic meaning of impersonal/isolating/foreign/public environment.

CAMERA * Samuel’s arrival at the station is shot from child-height camera angles, emphasising his first overwhelming impressions of size and facilities. * Samuel is rarely shown smiling and his upward glance enhances the perception of childlike vulnerability in a violent adult world. * The film is frequently shown in Samuel’s point of view to emphasise what he is ‘witnessing’. / The camera repeatedly becomes Samuel’s eyes, showing the viewer what he sees. * The slow motion dramatically emphasise Samuel’s vulnerability and powerlessness in the new environment. * The low angle camera shot from the sculpture emphasises Samuel’s elfish appearance. The sculpture reminds the viewer the spiritual nature of life. * Deep focus shots suggest the way Samuel see his world. * Extreme close-up of Samuel’s eyes emphasise that he is ‘witnessing’ the gruesome murder that would corrupt his innocence. Through Samuel’s point of view shots, we share his emotional response to the horrific act of murder.
LIGHTING
* The flash of lights enhances Book’s ‘star quality’. * The red and blue flashing light maintains the danger/threat/menace. * Chiaroscuro - lighting filters, rain, paddle of light, confinement in a car, hostile urban landscape * The lighting filter in the car scene conveys Rachel’s uncertainty/ uncertain world/ no sense of social stability.
SOUND
* Through the diegetic sound of the walkie-talkie, we recognise that it is a crime scene. * The discordant/jarring sound at the station that denotes the sinister urban environments reinforces the idea that people in the urban environment do not connect, again contrasting the way Amish communicates.
EDITING
DIALOUGUE/QUOTES * The American street vernacular (colloquial/slang) is used to make distinctions between the Amish and the mainstream society. * The police jargon highlights their authenticity (to make it realistic); this is used in ‘Book’s world’ to maintain the verisimilitude (quality of realism). E.g. “homicide” * Through the misunderstandings in language, Weir suggests that the two cannot access each other’s world. E.g. (“stump pig” –Samuel, American vernacular/slang, Amish language-Pennsylvania Dutch)
OTHER
* Family dysfunction - vignette (a short impressionistic scene that focuses on one moment or gives a trenchant impression about a character, an idea, or a setting )

Conclusion: Weir demonstrates that the boundaries are essentially impassable and the worlds cannot merge.