How is camerawork and editing used to create an emotional response?
The use of camera work from the opening segment where Clarice and Dr Chilton are in the office to the point where she first meets Hannibal, heavily highlights the descent towards the underground cell in which Lecter is kept. As we see Clarice and Dr Chilton gradually move further down to the cell, the inevitable threat becomes much more apparent, as Chilton explains how dangerous of a man Lecter is. This complimented by the use of close up shots on Clarice's face when she sees exactly what Lecter is capable of, through a photograph of a previous victim. While we, as viewers, do not get to see the pictures for ourselves, we can see the terror emulated through her reaction on the close up. The use of the close up shot is seen again, largely, when Clarice first confronts Lecter. The focus on his face, particularly the eyes, gives what appears to be this well kept, well-mannered and well-spoken individual the darker and and more sinister edge that was established in Chilton's initial description.
How is dialogue and the performance of the actors used to create an emotional response?
Anthony Hopkin's performance as Hannibal Lecter, while disturbing, is incredibly subtle as portraying this force of evil. The psychotic aspects of his personality are presented through the delivery of the dialogue and the semi-sinister expression across his face. Complimented by the lighting, the portion in which he asks for Clarice's credentials, his eyes are notable for their size and a lack of movement with a complete focus on Clarice with a prolonged stare before he actually takes a look at her badge. However, Hopkin's performance becomes a lot more unsettling when he begins to smell Clarice and identify the skin care products she uses. The animalistic way in which he smells her and the incredibly specific details in which he identifies the products as is truly disturbing and somewhat non-human in nature. Foster portrays Clarice as understandably unnerved by Lecter's interaction. As confident as she may have been, initially, Lecter completely softened her up with his creepy mannerisms and then utterly ruins her with an onslaught of insults directed towards her upbringing and her appearance.
How is mise-en-scene used to create meaning (costume, setting, scenery etc.)?
The juxtaposition between the main office area in the mental institution and the cell block on the ground floor shows a distinctive difference between the sane and good natured working above and the insane and true evil lurking below. The cell blocks look less like typical prison cells and more like a medical dungeon, with the old, withered brick work, rusty metal bars and a dark, gloomy atmosphere. The anomoly being Lecter's cell which is well lit and has a large glass panel, most likely to stop him from grabbing at the staff who monitor him. However, along with his correct posture and courteous manner, the cleanliness of his cell reflects Lecter's personality very well, showing that despite his psychopathic nature, he is a clean cut, intelligent and smartly dressed man. There is even a set of washing and hair products seen behind Lecter during this sequence. The juxtaposition between the two sides of his character perpetuates a sense of fear of a man who not only has the willing to harm, seen through his violent past, but have the capacity to commit said harm, established through his
mannerism.
What are the emotional responses a spectator might have to this scene?
There are a variety of emotion that can be evoked from this particular segment, based on how quickly it twists with the atmosphere and the emotional responses from the characters themselves. From the very beginning, we see a close up shot of Dr Chilton with his smurk and unsettling expression while trying to court with Clarice. While he isn't the antagonist, anyone in the audience, particularly women, could feel discomforted and somewhat alarmed by his perversive mannerisms. The use of the POV shot makes this much more unsettling with Chilton's face almost perfectly with in frame and his quiet thick accented voice being heard clearly as if he was whispering in the viewer's ear.
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