Project 2: Analysis of a Film Still (DYM)

The still I have chosen is from the 2008 superhero film, The Dark Knight.

♛ One of the reasons I have chosen this shot is because of the focusing used. The foreground of the still is more crisp and clear than the background. It focuses clearly on the character of The Joker (at the front, played by Heath Ledger). This allows to see his rather unconventional facial features in detail. Furthermore in the background we can make out two people almost as if they are standing guard, they obviously work for The Joker as they are dressed similarly to him (e.g. the clown mask). However it is easy to see that they are not as important as The Joker himself due to the fact that they have been pushed to the back of the still and are unclear. 

♛ Another reason I chose the still was because of the overall composition and technical codes used in the shot. The camera is at level with the main character[in the shot]'s face which makes it seem as if we are talking to him directly. The fact that the actor is bending over and leaning forwards a little shows that he is in control of the situation and has the upper hand of the conversation [if we were involved in it]. In addition to that the brutal nature of his face makes him seem even more threatening and it is clear to us that he is the villain of the film. The lighting in the shot is overall subdued but what stands out is the paleness of his face. It's almost sickening. This links back to the fact that he is the main point of interest in the still.

♛ The last point I want to make is about the general enigma created in the shot. It raises a lot of questions. In the background, there are guns in the henchmen's hands which connotes danger. The Joker himself has an angry, controlling and even violent look in his eyes which adds to that danger. It leaves us feeling unsafe. What makes it worse is that he is just a human man [especially if you look at how he is dressed] but his face tells us a completely different story. We just haven't put together the puzzle of the story. There is a door in the background, a closed door and in generally in such a circumstance we expect there to be something trapped or hidden behind the door. This adds to our anticipation and the suspense of the film.