Media Language/ Mise en Scene
- The colours are very dominant e.g. Dark blues, deep glowing reds, greys and silvers.
- The trailer opens with light choral music in the background and the whispers of a man saying a confession.
- Short montage of the iconic Parisian building, the Louvre.
- Pan shots of historical buildings.
- Rapid editing that builds up tension and mystery through clips like the monk in the black hood.
- High quality marble flooring with rooms full of ancient paintings because a large majority of the film takes place in large historic buildings.
- Many of the historic buildings are mansions which suggests wealth and luxury from the families.
- High angle shot looking down on Tom Hanks' character as he looks up in shock and confusion.
- Eye shot of the mutilated corpse of old man, lit up by candles.
- Low angle shot of the cloaked monk holding a crucifix.
- Some iconic items are repeatedly shown like the crucifix which connotes us the idea that the movie is heavily based around religion. Or another example is the paintings which I feel hint intellect and even manipulation. The stained glass windows symbolise ancient art, funerals, long-dead people, and mystery.
Institution
- Hollywood film set in Paris
- Famous Hollywood director Ron Howard
- Imagine Entertainment fades in at the start of the trailer
- Casting of Tom Hanks as the main character gives the film immediate credibility due to his respect throughout Hollywood due to his previous mainstream blockbuster hits.
Genre
- Trailer demonstrates Hybridisation as it conveys conventions of several genres.
- Historical film because of the shots inside key art museums.
- Action film due to shots of a car reversing up a road and the explosions.
- Crime because of the reveal of secrets that have been kept secret for years.
- Romance as there is a possible relationship between Tautous's character and Hank's.
- Thriller as there are shots of pursuit by a villain and the murder of several victims.
Representation
- Representation of men as powerful and dominant due to the males dominating the screen time and the action shots.
- The male is shown as the protector when protecting Tautou.
- Representation of woman is limited although ultimately positive as she is seen doing active roles such as searching with a torch.
- Orthodox religion as a corrupt power and influence that is capable of keeping important secrets and manipulating people.
- Negative representation of religion as a cloaked monk believes he must self- flagellate and murder as a payment to god.
- The monk also has a physical defect which adds to the characters horror and connotes the monk as some sort of powerful monster
- Hank's character is a prolific lecturer and writer and Tautou's character is a high profile investigator
Audience
- Tries to appeal more to the intellectual viewer; choral, orchestral music, history, philosophies of religion.
- The trailer promises to reveal the solutions to important/life changing secrets which fulfils the audience for surveillance as the audience want to know the truth and understand.
- Special effects in car chases and explosions to satisfy modern appetite for believable action.
Ideologies/ Media values
- Upper class intellectuals are more interested in history and culture than lower class individuals.
- Men as protectors.
- Violence and crime as prevalent in western society.
- Those with religious beliefs are more likely to be obsessional or mentally ill; which is shown throughout as the monk is clearly committing crime.
- That God does either not exist or is unable to practically help anyone through prayer as we see a man at the start praying to God for help and then later on we see his mutilated corpse. This connotes unanswered prayers and false/pointless beliefs.
Narrative
- Voice-over opens story; the greatest secret ever will be revealed and there are secrets hidden in the art of the Louvre and people will die as a result.
- "The greatest cover-up in human history is about to be revealed."
- Structured mini- narrative featuring several hooks to grab audience attention
- Classical Hollywood narrative structure where two characters are involved in a fight against a corrupt institution and must overcome obstacles to reach their goal.
