REQUIEM FOR A DREAM- Tasha Reynolds

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

(Independent film poster)

Source for this poster

Applying MRANG-

Media language;

The poster is constructed in portrait mode; within this there are two images combined together to create the layout of the poster. The top image is an extreme close up of someone’s eye; giving the viewers an in depth view of the character.

The bottom image is a long shot of a women looking out at the sea from a deck. The way the image is shot gives a sense that the viewer’s eaves dropping on the character which is an observational technique. This is due to the fact that the image is shot from a great distance behind the character while she is looking in the other direction.

The fact that the two images have been placed together on the poster suggests that they are both coming from the same source. For instance, the close up of the eye in the top image could actually be one of the female characters eyes. If this is the case, then the images actually both centre around this female character we can see. This further suggests that the film focuses on this female protagonist.

In my opinion I think the differences between the shot sizes of the two images complements each other nicely as it’s like we the viewers are viewing the character from two completely contrasting perspectives.

MES;

The overall design of the film poster is quite contrastingly diverse as it uses a variety of colours. This is apparent in various parts of the text such as the title as it consists of three main colours; black, red and white. These types of colours help maintain the effect of distinction as they all connote certain qualities about them. For instance, black connotes death and depression, red symbolises evil and love, while white signifies purity and innocence. As a result of these three colours being used it presents a chaotic chain of emotions and feelings presented through the poster format.

Representation;

The representation of gender is more apparent in this poster compared to the other short film posters as the majority of the layout and design focuses on the main female protagonist through the two images. The way the female is represented is varied as the top image just presents one part of her facial expression; her eye. The structure of this image portrays an unnerving and invading insight into what the character may be experiencing. This is suggested through the essence of her eye as it is bloodshot and widely looking directly into the camera. Whereas oppositely the bottom image reveals her whole body as a whole; showing that her body language seems to be relaxed and content within her surroundings, as if she is in a mind of her own unaware of her surroundings.

Additionally, the character appears to be very aware of the camera in the top image as she is directly looking at the audience. Whereas, the bottom image suggests the opposite as it seems that the protagonist is unaware of the cameras presence and is therefore represented as vulnerable.

Audience;

The target audience for this independent film poster is not visibly clear as there is no age certificate visible on the film poster. However, I think the poster would appeal to an older demographic such as adults as the content of the poster suggests this in my opinion. For instance, certain semantic codes such as colour suggest that this film appeals to an older audience. This is due to the fact that the main colours used are red, white and black which I talked about before; explaining the symbolic value each colour represents. However, because the poster just includes these three complex colours it suggests that the film entails a plot which has a range of issues and topics being presented; therefore appealing towards an older audience who are enticed by film narrative that has followed an atypical syntactic form.

Narrative;

One of the elements of the narrative that is communicated through the film poster is character; as the poster centres particularly on one main protagonist. As I said before the female character is communicated in contrasting ways, whether that be through the camera work or the mise en scene of the shot itself.

Genre;

When analysing the film poster itself it is clear to see that it's trying to express connotations of the genre of horror and psychological thriller through it's design. As the close up of the eye is unnerving whilst the long shot creates enigma and curiosity through not knowing more about the character in the shot.  

Additional information;

The name of title "Requiem for a Dream" has a symbolic meaning to it as a "requiem is a mass for someone who has died as well it is a musical composition towards this; symbolising an act of remembrance.