Memento Opening Sequence

This Youtube clip does not show the opening sequence from the very beginning however it begins with a black screen as a background for the names of people who had produced the film which is shown in a simple blue Times New Roman font that fades in this gives a cold, dark feel to the film as the icy blue font brings a certain atmosphere that would cause the audience to feel uncomfortable and uncertain about the things that are about to take place. The title font is quite smart and serious this may be to portray a formal side to the film, it is placed in the centre of the screen to avoid any loss of focus also to make it stand out.

My first screen shot shows the title, 'Memento' when the background image begins to fade in showing a close up of a mans hand holding a polaroid image.

The following shots remain as a close ups, giving the audience a clear view on the image that is disappearing on the polaroid. It then goes on to show the rest of the titles with the same font on top of the close up of the polaroid. My fourth and fifth screen shots show that the film clip has been reversed as the man is shaking the polaroid however it is becoming faint and the image is disappearing. Although the shots are in reverse it sets the scene in a remote, deserted area which happens to be a murder scene . With the shot in the reverse it gives the viewer an idea that the first scene may be a flash back or will be in the past. I believe these shots are very important to the opening sequence as they show that it has gone back in time and this event is something that will happen towards the end. My final shot shows a close up of the photo paper going back into the camera which proves that the shots are defiantly going in reverse.

The polaroid image is the key prop to the opening, this is clear due to the use of the close up. This has been used as the opening background as it is the main theme to the film, throughout the film the main character is using and producing further polariod images. It also is an anchor to the title, as the images are the mementos that are used during the rest of the film. This is also the reason for the opening relating to the rest of the film as the main character pulls out a polaroid picture on many occasions to remind himself of things that have happened in the past.

The music is quite slow and soft however when the word 'Memento' is shown across the screen and the audience is shown a murder scene it becomes louder and the pace increases slightly causing the atmosphere to be awkward and tense.