Bourne identity essay

 

Media studies 

In this specific scene in the Bourne identity, produced by Universal studios and directed by Doug Liman, the camera angles create so much impact and unravel so many media codes within each shot. Some of the boats, including a pontoon have the key colours (red and blue-representing is future and past)We first get an establishing shot, which shows it is gloomy, cold and serious which also establishes it is not a very happy nor friendly place. It also brings a sense of government empowerment and control through the cold view of the docks, linking to the dangers he is about to walk into and brings through an environment that shouldn't be trusted. 

As Bourne enters the new location off the boat onto the cold street, the camera zooms into his face, showing his confused and lost expression as he examines his surroundings, showing us he is still unsure and it makes the scene overall unfamiliar to both Bourne and audience. After the transition, we see the camera moves smoothly with the train, but switches to a more wobbly hand held shot once we are inside. This could represent his outside vs inside appearance with how he feels. The camera is also wobbly once Bourne pulls out the bullet from his jacket pocket to examine it, suggesting someone knows something he doesn't. We also get a key mirror shot of him looking at his reflection in the train window, showing his inner thoughts and that he still doesnt know his true identity, and that hes still in a dark place as to who he is.

The next time we see the camera angles make a big significance is when Bourne as stopped in his tracks to face his snow prints. In his scene, the camera tilts up, can almost come across as a way of portraying he is tired and confused, stuck studying his tracks but not making any progress. What also makes the slow tilt so impactful is because it sets its audience up for the following action scene. The camera in the following scene focuses on the guards as they walk towards bourne, which creates suspense through the claustrophobic angle as we are unable to see above the guards legs. More wobbly shots are  created once bourne has been woken up by them showing he is confused and disorientated. We also get a close up of B=his face showing hes annoyed and frustrated slightly at the sudden intrusion. It is then that the extremely fast, quick shots take place matching with the action, bringing the audience into the moment. And finally, a close up and stillness after the fight as he runs away which could represent him running from is past into the future unknowingly. 

Sound also comes through as a very important element in terms of this clip because it adds so much to how the main character and thr audience is feeling. it also links well to the different settings and has adapted to each shot depending on the mood. The music played is mostly eerie and slightly dramatic throughout the different shots building on suspense for the audience. The piano key changes suddenly as we are transitioned from Bourne in the unfamiliar street to the train. The background noises during the train scene are sharp and fast, creating a more unfriendly feel compared to the piano as Bourne takes a deep look at himself in the window. 

Once He reaches the station, the sounds are uncoordinated and blurred through the crowds mumbled chatter including a voice echo from the control room, linking to the foggy state and emotions of Bourne himself.The music then dies down and a soft blowing of the air takes its place while he stands alone analyzing his tracks. The sound then changes to the heavy walking and talk between them as well as a cold dead silence around them. Germanic dialogue is then introduced. This dialogue creates meaning, especially for us an audience because we dont understand it, so in a way we are pushed out of the scene entirely. The fact that Bourne can speak multiple languages and was able to pick it up despite him not being familiar with his surroundings give its audience the impression he is very sophisticated and that there might more too his past than we thought.

In he street scene which establishes Bourne in the new place, characters appear unfriendly and cold as he walks through the street, this also gives the feel that he isnt welcome and he is returning to his past which wasnt a very happy life. The transition from the street to the train journey is very smooth, and almost comes across as a sad scene because Bourne is completely lost in himself. When we jump to when Bourne gets awoken by the officers in the last scene of this clip we can see how the editing of the flashlight, makes us as an audience also feel a bit uncoordinated, as he is also feeling.

Mise en scene is very important as well as we see a lot of symbolism take place, especially the symbolic colours which are blue (representing his past) and red (representing his future). In the first shot of Bourne, we see him walking away from both an old car and the boat he traveled on, both of which represent his past, as they have the colour blue on them. However he then spots a man wearing a bright red jacket and starts to follow him in the direction he was walking. This symbolizes him leaving his past and what he knows to step unknowingly into the future. Bourne is also seen wearing a dark red jacket with blue on the inside. This could mean his past is covered up by the future and how he is both lost and confused at the time. The train also carries the symbolic colours, including the seats which also have the red on top, linking to the similar representation and symbolism as his jacket. At the train station, we also see him walk away from the blue background and turns i]hi gead to the train with the red headlights, meaning he is booking to the future. The scene where he examined his tracks in the snow as the have coe from the blue lit street is also very symbolic of him reflecting apon his past life. The last point i had for mise en scene was the interesting colour choice of the bench Bourne is sleeping on because it is green, rather than either one of the symbolic colours. This adds meaning because it shows that he is too exhausted to be either reflecting or thinking about either, and he has finally found peace in his sleep.