House of Flying Daggers

Mise-en-Scene
Genre: Foreign Action

Style of Acting:

• The movie is more about physical acting rather than dialogue.
• Clear use of body language to tell the story.
• Often with subtitles of voice over.

Props/Setting:

• Her robe was used as an extention of her arms - use of clothing to symbolise self.
• The use of drums as a metaphor for a heartbeat, the way she sees, her being trapped.
• The swords symbolise death, control, protection. The sound off the sword symbolises disorientation.
• Symbols of chinese culture in the use of text and motifs.
• The beans were a symbol of a challenge,envy and control.

Lighting:

• soft, cool lighting - exagerated their movements with its simplicity.
• The background was dull but the character's clothing was bright sybolising her inner strength.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

• camera movements
  
  • quick
  • direct
  • focus on character
  • gradual (by use of dolley)
  • birds eye view
  • eye level
  • higher shutter speed