Genre/atmosphere

The dreamlike state of the opening scene is shown through the use of music, camera shots. It is important for the opening scene to set the mood and tone of the film and show what the genre is, it shows what is in store for the viewer and what to prepare for.

The music is a important aspect of the film as it sets the tone as being peaceful, free and powerful. The music first begins when the opening begins, it starts off as quiet and soft. As the scene progresses the music gradually increases to a louder more powerful, heavenly sound, fulled with harmonic beats. It sets the scene and gives the feeling of being being free, without the music the scene would not be nearly as effective.

Another important aspect in the film is the camera work. As the opening begins we are introduced to beautiful surroundings through the clouds, and we're shown a bright blue ocean. The camera moves constantly and it flows as it moves through the clouds and glides across the ocean; the beautiful surroundings always in view. The camera used in this way lets the viewer feel like they're really there and gives the feeling of peacefulness, as the camera glides gracefully and the amazing scenery is shown. But the mood suddenly changes as the man gets snatched into the water, the camera jerks and it gives the audience a feeling of uneasiness and danger. This changing point in the film completely alters the mood, it changes from a powerful, free feeling, to a dangerous feeling of uneasiness.

The way the camera is used in the opening also shows that it is a dream. One way that the camera shows the scene is in fact a dream, is when the scene is shown with the corners of the screen blacked out. It shows the audience that it may not be reality that we're being shown. Another way the camera work shows that it is a dream is when we're first introduced to the man and woman. The camera switches back and forth from them to the sea, only giving us quick shots of the man and the woman; not quite revealing who they are. The woman is shown slightly out of focus and we're only shown parts of her face before the camera changes back to the sea. This way we aren't clear on who she is and it gives the feeling of a dream, where not everything is clear.

The director has used these techniques to not only set the mood and tone but to introduce the viewers to the genre and what is to come in the film. He has made it clear on what to expect, with a mix of thriller and mystery the viewer now knows what to expect and what is to come.