House of Flying Daggers: Ending sequence notes

House of Flying Daggers: Ending sequence analysis notes

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

Zoom from dynamic close up into extreme close up- focuses in on their eyes and facial expressions
Frequent use of mid shots and close ups- intimacy linking to romance genre
Tracking shot follows the dagger’s POV (similar to other sequences)- dynamic and indicates fantasy elements
Tracking shot of dagger indicates Mei is an individual in the HOFD- the only time we see the daggers thrown on its own in comparison to the Bamboo scene
Long shots- gives as sense they are positioned in a love triangle- commendation of circular imagery and triangular imagery
Action reaction shots- captures the connection between Mei and Jin
Camera angles mainly position us at the character’s level- at this moment in time they are all in equilibrium and aligned in the same situation- common interests of their love for Mei and all facing death which aligns the character’s with one another
Focus shallow depth of field- Jin and Leo are blurred as the camera zooms in and focuses on the snow – neither of them are prioritised/ Mei loves both of them/ Mei is blinded by her emotion
Extreme long shot of Leo stumbling away- loneliness/ weakness/ isolation
Camera movement is circular- Jin’s life has come to revolve around her

MISE EN SCENE:

Changing seasons
Blank white canvas if the snow- Tabala Rosa (new slate)
Character’s being blinded by the snow- metaphorical and physical for Mei
Snow- phasing out of reality seen from 2 perspectives- Mei phasing out of life/ Mei is phasing out of Jin’s life
Snow- connotations to purity and beauty contrasted by how storms symbolise anger and disruption- mix of snow and storm shows how purity and love have come into conflict with anger and jealousy
White snow contrasts with the red blood
Jin’s costume purple/ Leo and Mei’s green costumes- disrupted their relationship
Trees create another battleground- characters within conflict
Circular imagery similar to opening)
Snow- acts as a barrier for the characters to reach one another
Singular drop of blood- links to opening sequence
Pathetic fallacy- snow storm- symbolises anger and frustration/ cold environment
Changing seasons- coming to an end of a natural cycle (end of Tang Dynasty)
Iconography genre- daggers, costumes, snow setting (contrast to Asian cinema) contrasting and subverting related to locations of genre
Mei and jin lying on ground in snow- blend in with snow/ oneness with the environment
Leo has a cut in the middle of his head- conflicted character. As his blood starts to run off to one side shows how he picked his side– visual association with Mei at start
Mei’s dagger is in her heart- foreshows romance being broken and the cause of her death
Blood in mouth- visual sign for death/ foreshadows Mei’s death

PERFORMANCE:

Expectation that Mei is going to kill Leo- romantically tied to both characters/ not a vengeful sequence/ consolidates love triangle
Mei throws the dagger to save Jin- willing to sacrifice her life/ tragic bitter sweet element
All characters experience a physical weakness
Jin sings song at end- more delicate and lovingly
‘I came back for you’- same as bamboo sequence/ consistency he is starting to show as a character
Leo- conflicted through love and revenge/ weakness and regret/ shock
Jin- crying/ emotional response to Mei’s suffering/ contrasts to his enjoyment ta start
‘A second glance leaves the whole nation in ruins’- Jin is a symbol of the nation through his association with the state
Opening foreshadows the end- song lyrics
Mei smiles to Jin as if forgiving him for his past and loving him for who he has become
Leo holds his knife- typical of the Wuxia genre

SOUND:

Close sonic perspective- wind and snow
Close sonic perspective- heavily breathing and Mei’s struggle
Romantic music- violin string music score- Dramatic music
Jin sings song- repeated- shows progression and change of characters- overpowers the shot of Leo- represents his true love for Mei as he doesn’t want to leave his side
Close sonic perspective- blood drop hitting the dagger blade
Motif opening- flute
Lack of dialogue- Leo- reflects regret and shock- shows his pain

EDTING:

Action reaction shots- human connection and emotion
Slow motion- blood drop stopped by dagger and as the dagger moves- showcases fantasy element
Slow cutting rate- romance- ending
Fast cutting rate- mimic action- builds up tension to Mei’s death
Edited to mirror other elements of the film
Circular and triangular imagery

REPRESENTATION:

Mei has autonomy agency and control even though she’s dying
Feminist Final shots shows the female protagonist has sacrificed and died for those she loves (similar to ending of Pan’s Lab)- masculinity being weakened
Mei shows sacrifice- feminist reading
Shows her as weakened yet still strong
Jin’s crying goes against masculine stereotypes and shows how he’s changed and developed true emotions- vulnerability and empathy
Leo is possessive of Mei- selfishness and ignorance to want to control and exert power over her
Jin expects Mei as an individual whereas Leo doesn’t
Mei- sexualised as she is desired by both male characters

GENRE:

Western standoff style- undercut by romance rather than vengefulness- western are influenced by martial arts styles- lots of close ups- western film genre is heavily influenced by traditional Japanese Samurai films
Slow motion of the daggers moving

THEMES: