Silence Of The Lambs Film Techniques

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In Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs (1991), the filmmaker’s use of mise-en-scene in the opening sequence effectively establishes Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) state of mind before she is introduced to Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), and it effectively foreshadows the mood and tone of Clarice’s upcoming introduction to Hannibal. The portion of the opening sequence in question, begins when Clarice is escorted throughout the mental hospital and to the bottom floor where Hannibal is kept by Dr. Frederick Chilton (Anthony Heald). In this portion the filmmaker effectively uses composition, setting, and lighting to communicate a transition into the world of Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The filmmaker uses these techniques to establish Hannibal’s world as dangerous and unknown territory for Clarice. …show more content…
When Clarice first arrives at the hospital in which Hannibal is kept, her setting is a brightly light and clean space. However, as she descends into the basement level and toward Hannibal’s cell, her setting rapidly changes to one that is dimly lit with dungeon like architecture. Compared to her previous setting which can be described as the ordinary world, the new world that Hannibal inhabits is represented by the dungeon like setting. Using this contrast, the filmmaker is able to foreshadow the dark and grim tone of Hannibal’s world. Furthermore, the filmmaker employs red lights toward the end of the portion in question, concerning the mise-en-scene, these lights symbolize danger and evil. To further communicate, the danger that Clarice is about to face the filmmaker utilizes a POV shot in which Clarise examines the various cages, security cameras, and weapons Hannibal’s cell block employs. Through the use of POV, the filmmaker forces the audience to examine the scene in detail, thus communicated how great a threat Hannibal is and how much danger Clarice is

Dr. Hannibal Lecter Essay

forensic and behavioral cues. After visiting over the crime scenes with only minimal insight, he realizes that he must visit Lecter and seek his help in capturing the Red Dragon. The Tooth Fairy is revealed to be the production chief of a St. Louis film processing firm named Francis Dolarhyde. He is a disturbed individual who is obsessed with the William Blake painting "The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in Sun". Dolarhyde is unable to control his violent, sexual urges, and believes that murdering…

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Gender Performance In The Media

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