IH: Opening Analysis "The Awakening" (Murphy,2011)

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The Awakening (Murphy,2011) is a supernatural horror/thriller about a hoax exposer named Florence Cathcart who is called to a boarding school in England where a boy has died of fright. Supposedly he saw the school ghost and died on the spot, but Cathcart believes he was the victim of an innocent prank gone wrong by one of the school boys. Soon, however, her beliefs unravel as she finds it harder and harder to prove that the "Ghost" does not exist, as she reaches the heart-stoppingly chilling climax of the film.

[00:00 - 03:55]

Genre

The Awakening is a supernatural horror/thriller film that focuses on the strength and determination of a woman, an unlikely protagonist for such a movie.The opening sequence is chilling and dark, however is revealed to have been a hoax all along. This is a typical way for a movie of this genre to begin because it chills the viewer enough to scare and interest them, whilst also keeping it light enough to set the premise for the film.

Form and Style of Opening

The opening is thrilling yet mysterious, chilling enough to coincide with genre codes and conventions yet light-hearted enough to keep the film from being too heavy. The first 2 minutes and 40 seconds are entirely serious and scary, however the audience is left relieved when it is revealed that the events up to now had been a charade. Cathcart, the protagonist, is shown to be strong and intelligent, outwitting the group and solving the set-up before the audience can suspect a thing.

Film Language - Telling the Story

The mise-en-scene in this scene changes after the "big reveal" to emphasize the difference in the atmosphere before and after the charade is revealed. Before the low-key lighting connotes darkness, evil and spiritual malevolence, however the change to high-key lighting post-reveal suggests that the characters and the tone of the scene are completely changed now. Camera angles are used in this scene to change the way the audience perceives Cathcart. In the opening shots, a high angle is used to suggest her timid nature and the fear she feels as she approaches the mysterious gathering; however we learn it is all a hoax of her very own. As she enters a matched eye-line is used to suggest Cathcart is now in her element, comfortable as she picks apart the scene clue by clue. Finally low angle shots are used to show her power over the other attendants of the gathering after the reveal when they realise she is really the famous hoax-exposer.

Narrative

The narrative is structured in a way that starts by showing Cathcart arriving at the gathering appearing to be nervous, looking attentive throughout and finally revealing her true strong self when she unveils her identity. This is an interesting form of narrative because we do not know who the character is until the moment she explains the event is a hoax, so the audience feels deceived in a way. The audience is aligned with Cathcart because she is the first person to be seen, and the person given the most screen prevalence throughout the scene. Major themes in the narrative are:

• Magic, or "black magic"
• Death
• Deceit
• Fear

Tension is created in this sequence through the hypnotic chanting of the charlatans, the dark moody interior of the room and the tense soundtrack that anchors the images on screen. For example, at one point in the clip the audiences sees a long, intense shot of the "sorcerer" with his bony hands on the glass, supposedly offering the birds life. The camera then tracks downwards vertically and reveals the bird has died, creating suspense as the soundtrack changes to a malevolent, scary rhythm. 

Representation & Ideology
In this sequence the upper class gather to "commune with the dead". It is soon revealed to us that the lady who witnessed her daughters supposed miraculous appearance has been scammed by the charlatans who exploited her wealth and vulnerability after her daughters devastating death. This scene creates a negative representation of the upper class, as it is suggested they will do anything for wealth, even abuse an emotionally damaged woman. Cathcart is a very interesting character as she is a woman, however she is intelligent and determined enough to outsmart the hoaxers without resorting to physical strength she realistically does not have. This is a very positive representation of women as it promotes progressive ideologies of women potentially being powerful and successful, without the need for unrealistic brawn. Residual ideologies of woman are very negative, suggesting the place of the woman is in the home or the kitchen, but here is Cathcart outsmarting con-men and women who lie and prey on the weak.

Isaac H