Hostel Opening Analysis- Chelsea Neil

Hostel (2011)

  

Analysis

Introduces the type of film, eg.. ‘Lionsgate films’, dark screen with text effects to make it stand out and sound is added to help grab your attention and make you notice who made the film.

Credits start (White text fades in) on a dark screen, a clear use of diegetic sound of a person whistling. The echoes of the whistles makes you immediately ask questions—What gender are they? Are they alone? Are they in danger?

The first image is shown, another diegetic sound is introduced of water droplets. Camera focuses on a close-up of falling water. Credits run continuously throughout.

Blurs out the background of what appears to be someone moving about. Straight edits to make it run smoothly. The opening shot is dull and spooky– not quite focusing on one thing—’What will happen next?’

Continues to remain with darkness, adds a little light when it introduces the foam running down the wall—What does the foam have to do with the person whistling? Is there a connection?

Revisits water, droplets dropping onto the floor—Places of where the person could be suddenly comes to mind—Sewer, underground, streets, cave? The time in which the water droplets are dropping slows down—Builds tensions, makes you wonder where the water is coming from. All of the credits appear in the bottom right screen, the dark background and the white text make it stand out.

Starts with a dark/black screen, grey scissors that appear to be sharp are now introduced. You instantly recognise that they are covered in something red—Is the red on the sharp object paint or blood? The producers keep the audience in the dark about what’s going to happen next—they don’t give away too much, but give you enough time to ask questions of your own.

Continues with foam, water and a red liquid running down the path, mixing together. Immediately makes you ask questions– Why are these liquids in this place? What significance does this person have with these liquids? Why are these things running down the path?

Ends with a dark abandoned place– Slowly introduces the audience to where they actually are. Diegetic sound is included; The door closes, blackening the room, ending the beginning of the opening scenes credits.