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  • Essay / Review and analysis: Amélie (2001)

    The foreign film chosen for analysis was Amélie (2001) directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film differs from that of a traditional American film. However, the acting and the representation of the scenario envelop the viewer in the world of Amélie, the main character. The film lacks big special effects and leads to an overall more raw film contributing to the reality of the film. This film took me a little out of my comfort zone. It’s similar to the small independent films I’ve directed; however, the language barrier made me dread the film. Nonetheless, the film kept my interest throughout and the overall meaning of the storyline was not lost due to the language barrier. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayThe film Amélie is of French nationality. The first clue to his French nationality is the fact that the language spoken throughout the film is French, from the actors to the narrator. The staging also reinforces the fact that the film is of French nationality. The sets use famous landmarks from Paris, France to reinforce the film's location without the cliche display of the Eifel Tower in every shot. The Gare de l'Est frequently serves as the setting for scenes where Amélie has to take a train. Additionally, the scenes of Amélie walking around town show narrow streets, markets and apartments, synonymous with villages around Paris. Other photos show iconic bridges and buildings in Paris. The props also reinforce the French nationality of the film. For transportation, small cars, small motorcycles, scooters and bicycles are used for private transportation; while the train is shown used as public transportation. The costumes also lend themselves to the French nationality of the film. The clothing of the younger generation characters was more modern and trendy than that of the older characters, which was more traditional. The costumes match the ages of the characters, making the mix of characters in the city more realistic than a real city. To help solidify the time period of the film, certain props were used. Electronics from the 1990s, such as CRT televisions, VCRs and VHS camcorders, were shown in the film alongside older style automobiles and motorcycles. The direction of Amélie helps to reinforce the fact that the film is of French origin; however, cultural references are also used. The film Amélie is similar to a silent film in many ways. Although there is a lot of dialogue present throughout the film, several reaction shots and close-ups are used during conversations. The actors in the film are very effective in using body language and facial emotions to convey meaning without understanding the conversation. An emphasis on facial expressions and body language is common in silent films and foreign films. The sound and music used in Amélie effectively enhances multiple aspects of the film. The background noise used when she is in public is passing cars, horns, and nature sounds. This is what you would hear in the streets of France and which gives each scene its authenticity. Additionally, typically French melodies are used as incidental music in several scenes in the film, helping to reinforce the French authenticity. For example, in the opening scene, Amélie is depicted as a little girl and a French melody plays in the background to reinforce the fact that the events are taking place in France. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a paper now.