Children of men: analysis.

The movie starts off with 23 seconds of black screen with screenwriting, of which sixteen
seconds of the start for the science fiction film: children of men there is non-diegetic sound
occurring from a narrative commentator (news reporter from TV), at the end of the last report
about Diego Riccardo the youngest person in the worlds death an instant transition (sharp
cut) occurs from the blank screen to a caf full of distressed people watching the news the
sharp cut created a sense of perplexity as the audience doesnt understand the concept that
early on in the film which leaves them with questions as to why he is the youngest? And did no
one else have children? Are children a thing from the past?. As the actors are watching the
news (we know theyre watching the news as the tone of voice they tend to speak with an
exaggerated lilt) and because they have arranged the set so that the audience to can see it
happening by placing a screen at the back of the room too, by them doing this we can
sympathise with the actors as well, it also gives us a sense that it is an important aspect of the
film or that the film is based on this profound event which may suggest that is a part of the
plot. A medium shot at eye level is used in the caf scene; we can see the expressions made by
the actors as they are all facing towards the camera, this gives the audience a visual sense of
how the characters are feeling.
As the man walks into the caf he seems to be un-affected by the situation around him (the
death of the youngest person in the world) which may suggest he is heartless, inconsiderate or
may be doesnt care anymore. Even though the actors are being asked by the man to let him
through the actors continue to watch the news story which may suggest that it such a big deal.
Although the man looks at the report for a brief amount of time as his coffee is being prepared
he seems unfazed by this upsetting event.
In the upcoming scene when the man walks out the caf the camera movements are shaky, the
camera follows him in a cinma vrit style of filming (invented by Jean Rouch) almost as if its
a biographical film. In the background we hear diegetic sounds of cars, buses and people
talking as he is walking down the road, we can tell where the movie is set as to what transport
is included in the film for example; there are red buses which connotes that its in England as
England are well known for their red buses. A panning shot is used as he stops to put alcohol
in his coffee may be to create awareness about the surroundings (scenery) and how London
has become, doesnt seem like a nice place to be, work/live, the sky is grey which may suggest
the mood is unpleasant, the colour grey represents depression and lack of energy or to over
emphasise the fact he may be an alcoholic or that because he is depressed he uses alcohol as
an escape/ way to get out of this harsh reality, as well as to lead up to the next scene (the
explosion) it gives a sense of foreshadowing and tension. There is rubbish all over the streets
maybe suggesting its an unhygienic and/or and uninhabitable place, there are also a lot of
people walking about the streets which connotes over population (may be hinting a reason
there are no children, or why children may not be allowed).
There is a diegetic explosion at the end of the panning shot (everyone could here and see it)
this was effective as it happened after the panning shot and coincidentally after the man left
the caf, which leaves the audience again asking questions about whether he planted the bomb
or if he was just lucky, what it an attack? If it was by who?