Scene Analysis: Opening Scene

Question 1

Cinematography:
1. film begins in media res
2. establishing pan shot of the sea
3. close up of Cobb washed ashore
4. low angle shot of guard
5. close up of totem
6. extreme close up of watch

Answer 1

1. non linear narrative, immerses audience into a state of disorientation
2. confusing, the audience has no idea what is happening. suggests he’s an important character in the film.
3. makes the guard seem dominant and menacing
4. signifies its importance
5. motif of time, how it differs in each dream state

Question 2

Mise en scene:
1. Saito and Cobb’s appearance from old to younger, rough to smart
2. motif of totem and gun

Answer 2

1. shows different dream levels and non linear timeline
2. shows how war and dreams/reality are connected with one another

Question 3

Sound:
1. clock ticking into bomb
2. clock ticking and music gets louder
3. diegetic sound - “Non, je ne regrette rein”
4. non diegetic background music

Answer 3

1. acts as a transition between dream worlds
2. emphasise severity of the situation and builds tension
3. acts as an audio cue for audience to know when a dream is over
4. suggests thriller and action genre

Question 4

DiCaprio’s performance:
1. spaced out and disoriented when washed ashore
2. surprised when he sees the children
3. loud and knowledgeable tone
4. avoids eye contact with Mal and loses confidence

Answer 4

2. audience questions if they are his children. unsure of their connection
3. knows what he is talking about, confident
4. he is emotionally affected by her

Question 5

Cotillard’s appearance:
1. maintains eye contact
2. confident with gun
3. calm when everything is falling apart
4. “If I jumped would I die?”

Answer 5

3. she doesn’t need to worry as it isn’t really her
4. foreshadowing

Question 6

Editing:
1. shot rev shot
2. cross cut between older Saito and Cobb to when they were younger
3. kinetic, fast paced editing during action scene
4. slow motion

Answer 6

1. shows conversation between characters
2. acts as a cue for how time runs differently in dream worlds

Question 7

Opening scene meaning and response:
1. active spectator is introduced to idea of inception
2. introduces Cobb as central protagonist
3. Mal reflected as femme fatale

Answer 7

1. it is being explained through constant cutting between dream levels

Question 8

Opening scene ideology and spectatorship:
1. active spectator
2. passive spectator

Answer 8

1. trying to work out what is a dream and what isn’t
2. we like Cobb but suspicious of Mal and their relationship

Question 9

How does this scene position the spectator in relation to Cobb?

Answer 9

he’s the first shot of the film which indicates he is the central character