Image breakdown and analysis of shots from "Hunger".

Shot 1

The individual appears to be held captive behind the caged windows, his expression lacks enthusiasm and hope as he stands in the dark but looks towards the light. I feel that there is an underlying religious message, not only because the character look slightly like Jesus but when we deconstruct the composition the dark area could be seen as the sin and evil in the world. Whereas the light could reflect the religious faith that people are drawn towards. The broken area of cage resembles an unatainable freedom, however gives a small glimpse of hope none the less.



Shot 2

This shot strikes me as being very aggressive, it reveals an overall dominance that is forced upon the prisoners. It raises the question "What have they done wrong?" Their state of undress emphasizes how weak and vulnerable they look compaired to the officers who appear larger and more dominant. The shot is on the same level as the character who is being restrained by the two men in the foreground, this allows us as the audience to feel the same sense of vulnerabilty. The harsh lighting casts light on the the two prisioners but doesn't shed any identity on the guards who all have caps on which throws a shadow over their features.

Shot 3

Its important to take into account the characters interaction in the background of the shot, even though they may not appear as an integral part of the composion, they can provide us with a valid overall perspective of the surrounding situation.

The character in the foreground stikes me, his expression is so blank and he doesn't appear to be interacting with anyone around him. Perhaps something negative dwells in this thoughts causing him to give off this distanceed and saddened way about him.

Shot 4

I can see a clear contrast between the two men in this shot. The man on the left appears more masculine and dominant, I have read this through his body language, for example. The way he sits with his legs spread wide apart, his posture. Whereas the man on the right is far more feminin and passive as his body takes up less space and somthing about him seems less aggressive.

I get the impresion that their meeting is compulsory and that the space between the two of them is a clear indication of how they both feel, subconciuosly wanting a space, divide between them. They are clearly not friends but possible lawyer and client.

Shot 5

Protagonist in the foreground whereas character is out of focus.


Their attention is off the screen to the right, the expression is so unanimated it doesn't make me interested at what they could be looking at.

Shot 6

There is a strong sense of connection through his eyes which are fixed on the character who is out of focus with his back to the camera. The way in which his head is tilted reveals some kind of acknowledgment. This shot develops alot of mystery at what this character is saying or what expression he is showing towards the other character.


Which image out the 6 was your favourite?
Shot 1

Why do I like this image?

I really like the composition of this shot, from the way the light cascades in through the spaces of the caged windows to the way his hair falls serenely over his shoulders. There is a real sense of calm in the characters expression although there is an underlying sense of reluctance as he is held captive.
I love the feeling that the light sheds upon the dark scene, it reveals a sense of hope and allows the audience to beleive the character will persevere through the darkness.