Opening Sequences: The Pianist

The Pianist - 2002
Director: Roman Polanski

The first image we see of the film of of dark grey clouds. This image remains throughout the whole of the sequence; giving the sense of a dark, gloomy atmosphere. The credits appear in simple black font, not trying to take too much attention from the images on screen. The dark and ominous music also helps to create a gloomy mood, as if something bad is going to or already has happened. The clouds stay present in the sequence, but start to fade as the music opens. We see a fuzzy image of people lying on he ground; one in which some people will immediately be able so recognise or associate with a specific event in history. Iconic images are shown throughout to give the audience an idea as to what the film is about whilst also setting the tone and mood of the film. Very low lighting and primary colours are used for simplicity, as is the transition from image to image. This may have been done for emotive effect, as it will get the audience thinking and engage them immediately. The sequence ends the way it starts- with an image of grey clouds sweeping slowly across the screen.