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The film uses various elements in addressing most of the themes. Deep focus was used in the film to show personal isolation of Kane and loss of control. The film also used the movement of the cameras, flashbacks and window scenes to make it more interesting. The open sequence of the movie uses dissolve editing and this has made the movie to become very famous. Deep focus used in the movie allows viewing of the objects which are at far distance as close one. The main purpose of the paper is to understand analyze the film of Citizen Kane according to opening sequence and window scenes and address the observation that was made by Giannetti
Deep focus used in the film combines various types of the camera lens, composition, and lighting to produce an effect which was required. It was used in the movie to demonstrate how Kane had personal isolation and had lost control (Welles 100-101). Deep focuses make sure that viewers are not confused through engaging whole space. It illustrated the space when Kane had no power and when he had commands. In every scene, space which was occupied by the characters was presented in deep focus. An example is when the custody of Charles was signed by Mrs. Kane. This contributed to Charles being excluded from most of the decisions which were in connection with his future. The whole film can be related to the activities which occurred in the space. In the production of the movie, Wells uses short and long shots though he concentrated more on the long shorts so as to bring deep focus photography on various images. Deep focus in the movie was used to give audience or viewers on the choice they should look as well as limiting the focus attention. Example can be seen when a mother was signing a paper and all attention was drawn to characters looking at it. At the beginning of the movie, shot of fences is seen and then continues to increase. It also features various series which are dissolving as first shot appears and the then the next one is background one. The fading of the one plane and the coming of another one brings the idea of changes in the scene.
Furthermore, there is use of lighting in the film which is an indication of the low- key lighting used in an effective manner. Lighting was created contrast in the presentation of blacks and whites in every shot that was produced. Example is the lighting which was used in the Xanadu Palace in a sequential manner to set moods and demonstrated the differences that existed in Mr. Kane’s lifestyle and his wife. Mr. Kane stands patiently in front of a large fireplace as he continues to listen to the boring lamentations which were expressed by his wife Susan. In this case lighting was used to symbolize what exists in marriages which are failing. The movie uses stark lighting to show influence in the German expressionist and make the movie to be more appealing. Extreme backlighting in the film make the figures appear as if they are silhouette.
Camera movements were also utilized with a wide range of shots. The movement of the cameras was blended with the scenes and they were more of Murnau. Example the cameras were used in demonstrating the way young Charlie was given away and the plans which were made on him. Crane shot in the film revealed Rosebud truth. Camera shots made the production of the movie to be very effective and the cameras were tilted to different angles. The use of camera movement and excellent editing make the movie to more appealing. This can be seen in the shadow that moves across the face of Susan Alexander who was the wife to Kane. In the frame, the shadow are well placed
Similarly, the film also employs storytelling as it allows the aging of the characters as they give stories. The stories were not told in a sequential manner and they are overlapping and this enables the narrators to add more information. Through storytelling, Charles is shown as a complicated, tortured and enigma man who invoked sympathy from the viewers at the end of the film. Flashbacks used in the film to reveal the perspective of the characters. Flashbacks show memories which were being discussed and how the characters were forgetful as they continue aging. Example is flashback on young Kane which took place twenty years later. Kane looks at his life when he was young and the way things have changed including his costumes. In the shots of the movie, there is use of windows which appears at different sizes. When Kane was standing at the background of the window, he was dwarfed by them but when he stood at the foreground, they appeared to be in ordinary sizes. This shows visual pun in the change of sizes.
Additionally, Giannetti shows that the movie is very interesting and it uses high-quality image. Giannetti stated that the film was simple, classic and interesting. Giannetti said that the film was very effective as it uses long and short shots (Giannetti and Jim 70-72). The deep focus of the movie made the viewers clearly understand about the movie and the camera movement which were tilted in different angles. Low editing requires the use of lighting and angle shots which are low. The film is very influential both politically and socially due to its creativity. Giannetti illustrated that the film is very remarkable and famous as its synthesis make use of cameras of high quality, drama, presentable ideology, and editing.
In conclusion, the film uses various elements such as deep focus to make sure that the viewers fully understand it. The editing is also done and there is dissolving to attain high-quality images. Flashbacks are used to show the life off Kane when he was young and visual pun to show the appearance of the window at different sizes. . Giannetti stated that the movie is very interesting, unique and classic. Use of camera shots and movements also made the movie fantastic.
Work Cited
Giannetti, Louis D., and Jim Leach. Understanding movies. Vol. 1. No. 1. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, (1999): 60-112
Welles, Orson. "Citizen Kane." 1941 (1941): 100-150