A2 Student Thriller Opening- 'Cairo'

Cairo is the sub genre of crime thriller. The uses of sound is convincing such as the sound effects of the guns and the non diegetic soundtrack of violins and drums create suspense within the scene. The mise-en-scene is convicing; denoting of a deserted car park at night, with low lightning. This connotes that an illegal operation is taking place. The use of costume is also powerful,the black mask conceals one of the antagonist, creating enigma and the suit the assassian is wearing connotes that he is professional and perhaps with little emotion. The use of props is extremely impressive and convincing: denoted the white powder connating drugs and that drugdealing is taking place. Also denoted was a gun that drove the narrative along and blood splattered across the camera is visually intresting for the spectator.

The cinematography is skilled. Various of shots were denoted, includiing a high angle over the shoulder shot as the characters do the drug exchange. This creates the impression to the spectator that they are watching something secretive as if they are in the position of a cctv. There is use of restricted framing, a convention of a thriller to keep the antagonist's identity a secret. A key shot that was technically sound was when a p.o.v shot was denoted while the hitman tried to reach for his gun. Other techniques such as vertical tilting to reveal the gun creates suspense for spectator. This was very effective as it shows creativity with the camera and engages the spectator.

The sequence was well edited, denoting of contunity. The editing used to denoted flashbacks work well within the sequence. The rapid jump cuts with flashes connotes confusion, as the character experiences the same emotion. The colour denoted has also changed to black and white, a convention of showing a flashback. This is also a convention of a thriller as it creates engima for the spectator. Denoted, the use of slow motion of the hitman walking which creates a sombre and tense atmosphere. Sound is used well, especially the use of silence when the drug dealer and the hitman. This creates a climax to when the hitman kills the drug dealer. There is also impressive use of non diegetic sound effects such as the gunshots that had been added in during editiing.

The video effect denoted of the aging film was an visually impressive effect and tied with the film's narrative. The typograpghy however, is a bit simplistic and could be more intresting. There was also more diagoule than neccessary and the fight scene looked amateurish and unconvicing. However, I would awarded this with a level 4 as it effectively conveys the conventions of a thriller while portraying a cohesive and original narrative.