Week 8 ISP- Moon
20 marks: How are binary oppositions used in the opening of ‘Moon’ to create meaning?
Binary opposition in Moon is used to create meaning through the use of Marx’s theory, for example the binary opposites of the company vs the worker. This represents how the working class is exploited by larger companies wanting to profit out of the work of a singular man, as the theory shows that an individual’s position within a class is determined by their role within the production process, reflecting how Sam is seen as just machine that will carry out Luna Industry’s work. Another way meaning is created, is through the binary oppositions, Technology vs humans. Within the sequence religion is explored as the technology is personified into names of people from the bible such as Luke, Mark and Matthew, suggesting how Sam is lonely and relies on this technology not only for its intellect but for company. The idea of modernism is also reflected in this to demonstrate how the system wants to be presented at a perfect technological utopia but relies on the default worker, Sam Bell, so will inevitable fail due to the mistakes and fault of human nature. Light and colours are also used through cinematography to represent the binary opposites of the earth vs moon. In the sequence low key hard light and cold colours, such as blue and grey, are used to represent the harsh environment of the moon, whereas warm colours like green and bright blue are used to show life and happiness which the character of Sam Bell is far from. This contrast emphasises the distance and isolation in which the character is viewed as lonely to the extremity of delusion. Another binary opposition featured in the opening sequence of moon is humanity vs factories. Within the opening montage advert an image is shown of a beach where in the background we see a factory burning fossil fuels. In this case the factory was portrayed at a higher level to the humans suggesting a higher importance, showing how technology will one day take over and become more powerful than humans. This links in with the ideology of environmentalism, wanting to save the planet and environment, however within this advert Lunar industries creates an unreliable promise to help the world from fossil fuels and with that poverty and hunger, showing how humans can’t either be trusted. Through mes-en-scene within the opening sequence, binary opposition of mass vs the individual is explored as we see Korean writing upon the walls of the Luna Industries moon base. This suggests that while Sam Bell is alone and working on the moon, global companies are economically profiting from his work, demonstrating political contexts. This is compared to the individual, as Sam Bell is shown as the default human-being through his representation of a middle-aged straight white American man suggesting he is an everyman and so, on a more relatable level, can be viewed as an ordinary person. Binary oppositions such as cleanliness and dirt are used to create meaning in the opening sequence of moon as it emphasises the time Sam has been living on the moon. The use of mes en scene to show the clean, sterile, hospital-like set reflects order and a sense of institution. Whereas the dirt seen upon his space suit suggests an unsustainable lifestyle and how he has adapted to look similar to the machinery, showing how this perception of perfection cannot be maintained. This relates to later on in the film where the new Sam Bell is seen wearing a clean white space suit, suggesting a clean slate and a fresh start. Binary oppositions are also show in terms of different points of view. For example, during the montage advert, the narrator shows the company’s point of view which appears unreliable in comparison to when we immediately after see Sam Bell’s point of view on the moon. His point of view perceives the job as tedious and lonely, complexly contradicting the advert, suggesting a binary opposition between the real truth vs lies. Lastly binary oppositions such as sound is used to create meaning, as at the beginning fast paced upbeat non-diegetic music is used to represent the positive outcomes of Lunar Industries, hover as the scene cuts to Sam Bell the music changes to a low tempo continuous and tedious rhythm perhaps reflecting his repetitive life.
Emma Coe Film Studies 