How effectively does the opening sequence from ‘Children of Men’ (2006) use the forms and conventions of film openings? What is your personal response as a member of the audience?
‘Children of Men’ was released to the UK in 2006, it was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who is also known for producing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Main stars of this film include: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Chiwetel Ejofor. Although in the opening sequence we only meet Clive Owens character.
The opening sequence is the most important part of the film, as during that time is when the audience decide whether they want to continue to watch it or not. Therefore the director has to make sure they reveal a little of the plot to the viewers and catch there attention and draw them in. The opening sequence from ‘Children of Men’ effectively engages the audience and cleverly gives them and insight into the film knowledge. The audience can establish the narrative of the film and are intrigued by the opening sequence and want to watch the rest of the film.
Straight away the director uses a common technical code, a voice over and a blank screen. The effect this has on the audience is that, it makes them focus purely on the words being spoken and they listen to the information being given to them. Using a blank screen at first makes the audience concentrate on the words instead of watching the frames and being distracted by the characters and setting. The information given is important to the rest of the opening sequence, as the audience need to know what is going on. Only when the director feels they have heard enough, he uses a sound bridge to show them the news report on the TVs.
The news report informs the public and the audience that the youngest person, Diego Ricardo, has died! It is obvious to the audience that something bad has happened in the world for the youngest person to be 18yrs, 4 months, 16 days, 4hrs and 8mins old. This signifies the fact that there are no children being born anywhere! The news report implies the 18yr old to still be ‘baby Diego’, although to us being 18 means you have become an adult. The audience can tell that it is a news report as when the TV screen is shown, there is a bulletin at the bottom of the screen and BCC the name of the new channel is very similar to news channel BBC. Just to confirm and make sure the audience know the time period, there is a date at the bottom of the screen ‘2027’. This is how the narrative of the film is cleverly conveyed.
We establish the setting of the film, as the sequence continues, looking at the set the audience can see the sign on the wall ‘Caffee’. As it’s the year 2027, the audience know it’s in the future so there are slight differences, for example what we would call a ‘Café’ is now a ‘Caffee’. This shows developments. The audience can also see the red buses driving past from the shop window in the background. Red buses are associated with London, therefore the audience have now established the setting of the film within the first few minutes. However, again just to make sure there is informative writing on the screen telling the audience the location and exact date: ‘London, 16th November 2027’. The audience get a glimpse of what London is like. They see police helicopters, lots of policemen walking around, lots of fumes from buses and cars and rubbish on the sides of pavements and roads.
We are introduced to the main character when he walks into the coffee shop. How do the audience know he is the main character? Clive Owen is a star, has performed in many films and is well known by a vast majority of people. Although for people that are not familiar with him, will know he is the main character by his actions. The audience notice him immediately, as he walks in alone and makes his way past the shocked people towards the front of the shop. It is apparent that everyone is traumatised by the news, however Clive Owens character is not bothered and carries on with what he is doing. The audience learn a bit more about his character as we see him pour alcohol into his coffee. This could suggest to the audience that he is an alcoholic or there’s something depressing going on in his life.
During the opening sequence it is difficult to determine a genre, as we don’t see enough. There are hints of a few genres such as: disaster, as there are no children in the world; action, as there is a explosion in the coffee shop and horror, as there is a woman that comes out of the explosion holding her arm covered in blood.
Camera movement, in the opening sequence of ‘Children of Men’ is very important as the director has made it so that the audience feel as though they could be there with Clive Owens character. The camera follows him out the shop door and along the street. The director has used a handheld camera to make it more realistic. Certain camera techniques also help the audience pick up on the small details, such as Clive Owens character pouring alcohol in his coffee. The camera circles around him ready for the next part, which is the explosion.
Personally, I have never seen this film before and just by viewing the opening sequence I am eager to watch the rest of the film to see how things turn out. The directors clever use of the voice over at the beginning really made me pay attentions and started to get an idea of the story line. The opening sequence reveals part of the story but without giving to much information. You get to know the setting, the character and then you’re hooked. The director gives the audience just the right amount of information so that they stay engaged and continue to watch the rest of the film.
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