ISP Week 11: Moon- film form and binary opposition

ISP Week 11: Film Form (10 markers) Ending sequence- Moon 

Cinematography:

In terms of cinematography used in the ending sequence of the film Moon, lighting is used to mimic the new Sam’s emotions. In the film, the new Sam drives up to the harvester in the dark, however after the old Sam loses consciousness, we see him driving back in the light. This could suggest how the new Sam feels a certain relief now his plan to get back to earth can finally take action, showing how he could potentially feel relived and is ready for a new day. Also, in terms of colour in the scene the red bloody interior is foregrounded with mechanical breathing of old Sam. The colour red is used to show danger and pain however the use of blood highlights his mortality whilst comparing him to a machine. Another way cinematography is used to create a meaning is through the camera angles. After the old Sam loses consciousness the camera focuses and lingers on the new Sam in a close up shot. This shows how we are moving on to a new generation of Sam whilst letting the older one go. This provokes the audience to be aligned with the new Sam and increases emotional intensity. Later in the scene an external point of view shot is used using a wide-angle lens looking through the windshield into the buggy where the new Sam and old Sam are reflecting on their memories. This is a shared suggesting how the only thing in common they have is a shared image which may even be implanted and false. In terms of camera movement, the camera tracks round to the Eliza arrival, highlighting the narrative issue. This later on reveals Sam’s disappearance as the camera pans to find an empty room, demonstrating a sense of loneliness and emptiness. The camera also uses an extreme close up of the newest Sam’s hand instead of his face as he awakes, suggesting he is an object or thing rather than a human which strips him of his identity and highlights how he is just a programed clone. 

Mes en scene:

In terms of mes en scene used in the ending sequence of Moon the Eliza spaceship is presented as a spider-like creature. In the sequence, the ship is seen to have ten robotic legs, appearing as beastly and menacing. As well this the colour of it is black with a singular red light, suggesting a sense of danger and darkness. The fact that the Eliza ship is hovering over the moon base creating a threatening shadow demonstrates its power and importance over Sam as an individual. Also in terms of mes en scene, the Eliza crew are at first seen as shadows instead of humans. This gives an ominous shadowy presence, suggesting how they are inhuman and programmed, similar to the clones, giving them an impersonal appearance in the scene. Along with this the timer which is counting down to their arrival appears in the sequence, emphasising how time is running out for both the Sam’s and that soon they will both meet their fates. The young Sam is seen to be wearing the old Sam’s sunglasses suggesting how he’s trying to hide his emotions after seeing his clone lose consciousness. Another interpretation could be that he desires to be normal and like everyone else, or that he is possibly taking on the crown and replacing the older generation Sam which is metonymical of old Sam. Lastly in the sequence the young Sam has his helmet light switched on, compared to the old Sam who has his turned off, emphasising how the new Sam is the younger generation and how he is more agile and able. The light turned off demonstrates how the old Sam is dying. 

Performance:

In terms of performance Gerty is seen helping Sam escape. This is followed with the line of dialogue ‘we’re not programmed, we’re people.’ This suggests how emotions can’t be defined by whether your human or a machine and that how your feelings can’t be determined by a programme. Also In terms of performance new Sam asks Gerty ‘are you gonna be okay?’ showing how Sam had personified Gerty to have human emotions, suggesting how he recognises his humanity and considers Gerty a companion rather than a robot. In the sequence, the old Sam sacrifices himself for the new Sam demonstrating how they have a brotherly relationship showing how they are united together by their sacrifice for the individual rather than the company. Another example of when performance is significant is the new Sam shows a sense of worry as he is pre-occupied and stressed. The audience can’t see what the new Sam is thinking after the old one dies which opens the scene up to audience interpretation, increasing the level of emotional intensity. Lastly in the sequence the two Sam’s reflect on their memories in a celebratory way emphasising their delusion and how they have been influenced to think as Luna industries wanted them to. However, the memories are false and most likely implanted shows how their memories define them and are the only things they have to share and don’t have anything else to be grateful for.

Editing:

In terms of editing in the ending sequence of Moon, continuity editing is used to suggest how balance is being restored, however also emphasising the urgency and immediacy of the Eliza arrival, showing you the fast pace of the new Sam’s movements leading up to their arrival. Another use of editing is the use of parallel action between the new Sam, old Sam, newest clone Sam and Eliza. This gives a sense of anxiety as the time is running out, showing chaos and seriousness. In terms of editing, a cross fade is used between the live feed on the computer screen and the establishing shot of earth to demonstrate the contrast between technology and humans, emphasising the control which Lunar industries has over both of them. Parallel action is also used in the sequence as we see the moon harvester changing co-ordinates and the Eliza arrival. This suggest how Lunar industries and the Eliza team are ultimately responsible for the destruction of the moon as they have control and responsibility over Sam as well as the affect it has on humanity. This signifies an act of rebellion by the new Sam showing how human natural will overpower technology. Lastly the editing of the sequence uses a jump cut to the newest Sam face after the build-up. This reflects how the new Sam is thinking and wanting to look after the new generation of clones, highlighting his thoughts and emotions at the time.

Sound:

In terms of sound in the ending sequence to Moon, the same repetitive background music is used, which is similarly used throughout the whole film and specifically in the Lunar industries advert in the opening. This shows how Sam’s life is constant and mundane, as well as being used to anticipate the arrival of the Eliza crew. In the sequence, close sonic perspective is used as the new Sam puts the space helmet on old Sam. This provokes the sound of new Sam breathing which is presented to be slow and laboured showing his struggle to survive, as well as it appearing mechanical giving the impression that he is a robot, demonstrating the strong influence of technology from Lunar Industries. Close sonic perspective is also used when we hear new Sam’s heavy breathing and footsteps, increasing the tension and urgency within the scene. Also in terms of sound, a peaceful tune, similar to a music box is used. The tone of the tune could be symbolic of a lullaby showing how the old Sam is drifting off to sleep as he dies. As a parallel contrast, the music also gives the impression of a baby’s mobile suggesting how the newest clone of Sam is being born and waking up. Another part of sound in this scene is the close sonic perspective of the space suit. The sound of this movement positons and aligns us with the younger Sam, emphasising the life and death situation. Lastly, as new Sam arrive back on earth we hear a voice over of voices speaking about him in different languages. This reflects how it is a world-wide crisis and the message behind the story applies to everyone, whilst showing the significance of his arrival back on earth.

Explore how the narrative of ‘Moon’ is structured around oppositions. (20 marks)

The narrative of Moon is structured around binary opposition as it reflects the theory of Marxism through the oppositions of the worker vs the company. Marx’s ideology shows that under a capitalist rule, workers would get poorer and poorer, which is proven correct as we see Sam neglected and treated as an object rather than a human in the ending sequence of moo. This is when the Eliza crew plan to kill Sam as well as the fact that Lunar industries is dehumanising Sam as a clone and constantly exploiting him over and over again. This demonstrates how Sam is presented as the default worker because of his ethnicity being white male American, making the narrative more relatable. This also links into another binary opposition of mass vs the individual where Sam is presented as an isolated and lonely individual controlled by the company. An example of this is as the new Sam arrives back on earth and is singled out for rebelling against the Lunar company, whilst being called an ‘immigrant’ by the world. Another binary opposition used in the narrative of Moon is technology and AI vs humanity. This shows the idea of modernism suggesting that the system wants to be perfect and therefore uses technology however relies upon the function of one human to control this so will inevitably fail due ti human fault. Within the film Lunar industries represents the perfect technological utopia however by the end is proven wrong as Sam proves that humanity can sometimes be better than artificial intelligence. Sound is also used to create narrative though binary opposites in moon as it reflects the different emotions which Sam feels. Throughout the film and in the opening advert the same repetitive tune is used to show Sam’s mundane or boring life showing how it’s continuous and there is no end to it. However opposite to this is the lullaby/baby mobile music in the ending sequence to show the newest Sam waking up and the oldest Sam drifting off to sleep. Another binary opposite in the film compares the black beastly menacing Eliza spacecraft with the white sterile inside of Sam’s moon base. This opposition suggests how lunar industries is viewed as threatening and Sam is seen as harmless and naive. The binary opposition of memories vs reality are explored in the ending sequence of the film as the two Sam’s reflect upon a shared memory even though it is most likely false and implanted. This suggests how lunar industries not only has control over their bodes physically but also mentally. This memory is celebrated by the Sam’s as it is the only thing they share and don’t appear to have anything else, suggesting it is all a delusion. In terms of lighting, cinematography is used to show binary opposites as the comparison between light and dark is used. The dark, low key lighting of the outside compared to the high key bright white light suggests a change in atmosphere and in Sam’s mood. An example of this is after the old Sam loses consciousness, high key lighting is used perhaps to show the end of old Sam’s life in a bright flash of light and signify the start of a new chapter for new Sam. Lastly the old Sam and new Sam are key binary oppositions, specifically in the middle sequence of Moon. The new Sam is seen to show initiative and optimism representing the rebellion and survival of the fittest. On the other hand, old Sam shoes signs of which illness and delusion suggesting he is comfortable with his new normality and that he has come accustomed to his role as a worker.