Children of Men

How effectively does the opening sequence from 'Children of Men' use the forms and conventions of film openings? What is your personal response as a member of the audience?

Set in 2027, humans are no longer able to pro-create, and the world slowly enters a post apocalyptic state. A former activist agrees to transport a pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of mankind. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and released in 2006 - Source IMDB

This essay will focus on the effectiveness of the films opening sequence, and highlight the conventions associated with film openings.

We begin the film, with the universal logo.(0-20)  This establishes that its a high budget film, as universal is a prestigious and highly funding producer. Humans have become used to ignoring advertisements, and also ignoring film logos, idents etc. But something about this opening sequence hushes crowds, and gains attention. Its done this by having no sound over the Universal Ident. This is not usual, so we are enticed.

Most conventional film openings have idents with sound, as the image and sound are the trademark of the company. We then see the “STRIKE” entertainment logo, (21-30) which in this film worked in association with Hit and Run Production. Again this ident is without sound.

0.32 seconds in we hear a male voice against a blank screen, “Day 1000 of the siege of Seattle”

Credits run on the black screen as the news audio runs in the background.

This audio becomes digetic when it cuts to a medium shot of a small cafe packed with people (0.55).

We are already opposing an enigma. “the world was stunned today by the death of Diego Ricardo, the youngest person on the planet.”

How is he the youngest person in the planet, and what's happened that he is the youngest person in the planet?

Our main character is introduced. (1.03) This is subtly done by the use of sound, as well as film. His shuffling through the crowd cuts through the audio coming from the tv, and gives him some importance. The fact that he ends up being the person in the foreground of the shot also shows his significance throughout the film. The edit then cuts to a clip of the TV,(1.18) which doesn't look like an ordinary TV. It looks more like a projection. This is the futuristic theme being set for the film. On the TV it says “ Baby Diego, 2009-2027”

This establishes the time in which the piece is set, the not so distant future. We already know its set in London as through the café window you see London buses going past.

There is then a very impressive tracking shot that leaves the audience stunned.(1.34-2.28) This turns out to be a conmen feature of the film. It cuts through the crowd as it follows the main character. As soon as he reaches the door, we see a bus with a poster saying, “Kidney £300 Instant Cash!”

This establishes the economical and political state of 2027. It seems like its in absolute chaos, and as soon as we venture out into the street we see exactly how bad it is. This doesn't look like London, lt looks like a third world country. The people carrier bikes that are riding past symbolises poverty, as we connotate 3^rd world countries with them. London looks like an absolute dump. This leaves the audience with another enigma. How did London get like this?

The tracking shot continues, to a 180* shot of the main character pouring whisky into his coffee. This is the third enigma. Its something a normal, healthy man wouldn't do in the morning. The 180* shot spins round him and focus' back to the café, and suddenly a bomb goes off. We don't expect to see this and its shocking. Suddenly this environment is a terrorist scene, with bodies lying on the road, alarms going off, and people screaming. The camera tracks towards the café, swaying to either side as if the cameras running towards the scene. A woman holding her own arm with her other hand appears.

This is then the credits queue again and we're left with the title of the film. CHILDREN OF MEN across a black backdrop.(2.28)

You can conclude that the opening sequence from children of men is very gripping. It uses many techniques and adapts many conventions to do this, as I talked about earlier. The audiences response is mixed. They are both confused, and are eager to find out more. The enigmas play on their minds before the next scene comes on, but from this brilliant opening, they are hooked straight away.