Describe what
happened in the scene you watched; How does the scene make you feel? What
techniques did the filmmakers use to make you feel that way?
A bit of background needs to be provided. In the previous scene Ken and Ray were in an art museum that displayed several works of art that depict religious ideas of heaven, hell, purgatory, torture, and punishment. And so our scene begins. From the artwork a lighthearted conversation about ‘living a good life’ starts. Ray and Ken are sitting on a bench in Jan Van Eyckplein Square. There is no action- just 3 minutes of dialogue that contains personal philosophy, humor, and remorse. With that said, the scene makes me feel a variety of emotions. The debate of a 50-year old lollipop man possibly knowing karate is comical. In regards to the humor Martin McDonagh does a wonderful job of expressing dark humor. He makes a conversation about murder outrageously funny. At the same time I feel sorrow for Ray’s character. During a ‘job’ he accidentally killed a little boy. Ray’s guilt and hint at suicide combined with the piano music creates a great tone of melancholy at the end of the scene. In my opinion, the score is the driving force behind the amplified sadness.
A bit of background needs to be provided. In the previous scene Ken and Ray were in an art museum that displayed several works of art that depict religious ideas of heaven, hell, purgatory, torture, and punishment. And so our scene begins. From the artwork a lighthearted conversation about ‘living a good life’ starts. Ray and Ken are sitting on a bench in Jan Van Eyckplein Square. There is no action- just 3 minutes of dialogue that contains personal philosophy, humor, and remorse. With that said, the scene makes me feel a variety of emotions. The debate of a 50-year old lollipop man possibly knowing karate is comical. In regards to the humor Martin McDonagh does a wonderful job of expressing dark humor. He makes a conversation about murder outrageously funny. At the same time I feel sorrow for Ray’s character. During a ‘job’ he accidentally killed a little boy. Ray’s guilt and hint at suicide combined with the piano music creates a great tone of melancholy at the end of the scene. In my opinion, the score is the driving force behind the amplified sadness.
How did the pacing of
the scene (fast or slow) or the movement of the camera affect your reactions?
The pacing of the scene is slow. As I said before, there is not a lot of movement. Ray and Ken sit on the bench exchanging words. The camera shots are simplistic. The director started with an establishing shot of Jan Van Eyckplein Square. From there Ken & Ray are shot in several frames- medium and close-up 2-shots as well as individual medium & close-up shots. This allows us to fully understand the emotions that the director wants conveyed.
The pacing of the scene is slow. As I said before, there is not a lot of movement. Ray and Ken sit on the bench exchanging words. The camera shots are simplistic. The director started with an establishing shot of Jan Van Eyckplein Square. From there Ken & Ray are shot in several frames- medium and close-up 2-shots as well as individual medium & close-up shots. This allows us to fully understand the emotions that the director wants conveyed.
List all the visual
qualities such as framing, camera angles, colors, setting, costumes, décor, and
lighting.
Camera angles: establishing shot, individual close-up & medium shots, close-up & medium 2-shots. The actors are dressed in tones of black, white, and gray. Shooting in Bruges was perfect for the colors and setting. Bruges is a well-preserved medieval city that creates a very somber tone. The initial establishing shot makes this quite clear. As do the establishing shots throughout the entire film. You will notice rather quickly that exuberant colors are absent in the movie. Red is only seen when blood or punishment are expressed. In regards to lighting, I would imagine that only a key light was needed. The sky is never sunny nor extremely dark. The sky is cloudy and somewhat gloomy. This merely adds to the tone even more.
Camera angles: establishing shot, individual close-up & medium shots, close-up & medium 2-shots. The actors are dressed in tones of black, white, and gray. Shooting in Bruges was perfect for the colors and setting. Bruges is a well-preserved medieval city that creates a very somber tone. The initial establishing shot makes this quite clear. As do the establishing shots throughout the entire film. You will notice rather quickly that exuberant colors are absent in the movie. Red is only seen when blood or punishment are expressed. In regards to lighting, I would imagine that only a key light was needed. The sky is never sunny nor extremely dark. The sky is cloudy and somewhat gloomy. This merely adds to the tone even more.
What was the mood of
the scene? How did the colors used in the scene contribute to the mood?
The mood of the scene is twofold. It starts off innocent and playful. It quickly becomes somber as Ray begins to discuss his guilt for the murder of a little boy. The colors of black, white, and gray are perfect. They enhance the scene well.
The mood of the scene is twofold. It starts off innocent and playful. It quickly becomes somber as Ray begins to discuss his guilt for the murder of a little boy. The colors of black, white, and gray are perfect. They enhance the scene well.
What did the costumes
tell you about the characters?
Ken and Ray are dressed in tones of black, white, & gray. Neither man sports any hint of color. I imagine this was done with a purpose. In my opinion, the costumes convey the black & white attitude both men have. Not to mention the film is a dark comedy. Extravagant colors are absent in the movie. On a side note- the jackets they sport tell us that it is quite cold in Belgium.
Ken and Ray are dressed in tones of black, white, & gray. Neither man sports any hint of color. I imagine this was done with a purpose. In my opinion, the costumes convey the black & white attitude both men have. Not to mention the film is a dark comedy. Extravagant colors are absent in the movie. On a side note- the jackets they sport tell us that it is quite cold in Belgium.
How did the music
contribute to the mood and what did the music tell you about the characters?
The piano at the end creates a very melancholy mood. The music conveys sadness and Ray’s guilt.
The piano at the end creates a very melancholy mood. The music conveys sadness and Ray’s guilt.
What did you learn
about the characters from the dialogue?
I learned that Ray is guilt-ridden and considering suicide because of his accidental wrongdoing. Ken shows us that his work as a hitman has created personal contradictions. While, yes he does murder people for money, he does believe he is a good person overall. He also believes the majority of his victims deserved it. He only feels guilty about one individual he killed; a middle-aged man who tried to attack him with a bottle.
I learned that Ray is guilt-ridden and considering suicide because of his accidental wrongdoing. Ken shows us that his work as a hitman has created personal contradictions. While, yes he does murder people for money, he does believe he is a good person overall. He also believes the majority of his victims deserved it. He only feels guilty about one individual he killed; a middle-aged man who tried to attack him with a bottle.
What were the values
and opinions expressed in this scene?
Several values & opinions are expressed in the film In Bruges. The Catholicism is mentioned. Both men have thoroughly rejected most of the ideas they were taught as little boys. They believe in trying to do the right thing but they are not bound by any religion. During this particular segment Ken & Ray note the cynical/suspicious attitude that many people can have when you’re offering random help. Ray shows great remorse and guilt for his transgression of accidentally shooting a little boy. Towards the end of the scene Ray hints at suicide because he believes he will never be able to accept his actions. Matters of self-defense are humorous brought up during the ’50-year old Chinese lollipop man’ conversation. Both men agree that homicide is justifiable if, during a fight, your opponent brings out a deadly weapon.
Several values & opinions are expressed in the film In Bruges. The Catholicism is mentioned. Both men have thoroughly rejected most of the ideas they were taught as little boys. They believe in trying to do the right thing but they are not bound by any religion. During this particular segment Ken & Ray note the cynical/suspicious attitude that many people can have when you’re offering random help. Ray shows great remorse and guilt for his transgression of accidentally shooting a little boy. Towards the end of the scene Ray hints at suicide because he believes he will never be able to accept his actions. Matters of self-defense are humorous brought up during the ’50-year old Chinese lollipop man’ conversation. Both men agree that homicide is justifiable if, during a fight, your opponent brings out a deadly weapon.
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