Shot By Shot analysis of

AMESTETTEN

In this shot, we see a close up of a news report in Austrian. This signifies that something has happened of great importance to the plot of the rest of the film. Although this is aimed at an English audience, the fact that the language that is being spoken is unknown to us gives even

more suspense because we have no idea what is being said.

As the shot zooms out, we see a figure which appears to be watching the news report in very grim surroundings. The low key lighting is also very gloomy and no natural light seems to be

present which creates a feeling of claustrophobia. This could signify neglect or poor conditions of wealth. The only sources of light appear to be coming from the television and a light above the TV. The lighting creates contrasting areas of shadows and light. Could this signify dark secrets?

The shot then snaps up to a medium close up of a woman. The woman appears to be dressed in old fashioned clothing. Could this signify low wealth? The expression on her face is very blank as if the news report she is watching doesn’t seem real. The film appears to be suggesting that the

woman is directly involved with what the news report is saying. Again, the dark shadows and the contrasting light around her face could signify opposites and dark secrets which could be

revealed.

This extreme close up shows close intimate expressions through here eyes. The colouring is very dark and grey, and she has dark shadows under her eyes which makes the audience wonder what is wrong with her. The soft focus on her eyes gives us an appearance of mystery because even at this close, the audience cannot fully appreciate how she feels through her expression.

This then jumps to a flashback. We notice the change in lighting, which is high key . The colouring of the scene is also now more faded than before. This show that this is a flashback. We now see

a little girl who is being touched on the shoulder. The girl looks up nervously and it makes the shot seem much more sinister. We hear an eerie soundtrack which consists of a piano playing a

sinister tune. This builds up tension.

This shot consists of what looks like the girl from the TV scene sitting at a sleepover. The colouring appears to be the same as the small girl which lets us know that we are still in a

flashback. The main girl is very much in different lighting and this gives us the impression that something has significantly changed since the first scene. The lighting is soft and calm which

contrasts to the mood and atmosphere which is created by the characters. The girl appears to be a very negative and secretive person when in company.

This shot is extremely closely framed as the only part of light is the window. The girl sitting on the window is once again looking deep in thought and distant from the world. She is looking

out of the window as if she would like to be out there. This could signify that she feels trapped or like a prisoner?

The next flashback shows an extreme close-up of a pregnant stomach. The low key lighting suggests that the character is in the same setting as the opening shots. The lighting also creates areas of light and dark. This could signify the good and bad points of the situation. Whilst the woman is obviously having a baby, she is also locked away. The fact she’s pregnant presents a

positive in a very negative situation.

This shot is very similar to the opening shot. It appears to have the same figure, and the same television report on the TV. This lets the audience know that the flashbacks have finished and we have gone back to the present. We then hear diegetic sound of doors opening and then footsteps

getting closer. This is building suspense to what is about to happen. We then see two hands turning off the light and television; obviously this person doesn’t want the woman watching the

report. This leaves the audience wondering what is going to happen to the woman. Finally, out of the darkness, the title ‘Amstetten’ fades in.