Case Study #1: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

2011's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo directed by David Fincher

David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 2011, is a mystery thriller film; which is constructed with the use of micro features. The opening title shows various important parts of the film yet also closely relating to the novels; it’s constant cuts to different objects in the sequence gives the audience an incline of what is to happen in the film and also we are given hints on what happens in the next installment of the three novels. The sequence begins with fast cuts from close ups of objects to black black, these fast cuts are in sync with the beat of the music, which could reflect on the main protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, due to the constant abrupt cuts and disturbing imagery; itcan be suggested the sequence represents Salander's unstable state of mind. The pace of the cuts decrease as black liquid begins to travel it’s way through various objects- later in the sequence the audience can find that the liquid appears frequently throughout- which creates a mystery, as the audience is left oblivious as to what is happening. Non diegetic fast paced music plays in the background which fits both the genre of the film and the sequence overall as it can be suggested that the cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song adds to the thrill of the sequence. The music was produced by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor who Fincher has previously worked with for the title sequence of Se7en. In addition, the music can also reflect Salander’s rough and damaged personality. 

The camera cuts to and from the black liquid to a high angle of a person, also submerged in black liquid, gagged and jolting in it's spot; this adds to the thrill of the sequence as the audience are left questioning the identity of the person and why are they are. The high angle creates the effect as if we are looking down on that person, as if we are watching them suffer. In addition, this could also make the audience feel sympathetic towards the person as we want to help them but we can't. The narrative enigma questions who these people are and what is happening as the audience cannot fully identify the objects and people due to the fast cuts throughout the sequence. As the liquid continues to travel, the POV shot could make the audience feel as if the liquid is targeting them- we are immersed in the sequence and we can't escape it. 

White typography is used for the cast names in the sequence, which makes the names stand out against the black background. However, the type is small and does not disrupt the sequence; this enables the audience to focus more on the events on screen rather than the names. The title of the film contrasts with the type used on the cast- the title is bigger and a different typography is used. This creates an emphasis on the title, which blends in with the dark background almost as if the title is disguised within the frame. The type used is less simple than the cast typography- it reflects the narrative of the film well as the font is more edgy. The audience only sees the title of the film for a brief moment before it succumbs to the black liquid; this could reflect on the film, as much like Salander cannot escape the events of her troubled childhood, the title cannot escape the liquid.

As the sequence continues, the camera continuously cuts to various objects that relate to the film and the novel such as a shot of an image of a dragon before it is covered by the liquid. The use of dragons and also phoenixes in this title sequence reflects back to the protagonist’s tattoos. Further references to the film are made such as the high angle shots of the liquid travelling through the keyboard and the entanglement of USB cords- this could refer to the protagonist’s skills in hacking. There is also reference to events in the next books such as the use of the burning man and the hornet.

The audience only sees two of the characters in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. An over the shoulder shot shows the audience the two protagonists yet the main focus is Lisbeth. From this shot the audience can see her solemn expression which gives us an insight in her personality. In addition, the shot shows the audience his hand is gently touching her face which could show the two protagonists share a strong friendship. They are also covered in the black liquid which follows the black on black theme this sequence follows. Although they are the same colour as the background, the protagonists stand out amongst it. Similar to the previous shots, the camera quickly cuts giving the audience no time submerge themselves in what is happening. The fast pace of the sequence could reflect on the film and the action.  Both characters are shown to struggle with something in the sequence, Salander’s face covered with hands could refer her trouble with sexual abuse in the past and Blomkvist is shown to be strangled by an item; this could refer to events in the film and novels. As the sequence soon comes to it’s end, a flower dying and blossoming is shown which could symbolize a life cycle and the idea of death and reborn. Ultimately, the sequence ends with various shots showing Salander climbing out of her own grave- another reference to the novels-  and the camera cuts to a POV shot as Salander rises and the sequence ends with the audience in her mouth which creates a sense of immersion for the audience and builds up excitement for the film to continue.

 The use of little to no lighting = follows the generic conventions of mystery films as the audience is kept in the dark as to what is happening in the sequence and in the film. This sequence also follows the thriller genre as the use of soundtrack keeps the audience anticipated and tense for the film to begin.

The sequence overall creates a disturbing atmosphere for the audience and it sets us for the events to come.