Under the Skin- Form and Function of the Opening Sequence

Under the Skin (2013), certainly has an unusual opening sequence, the sci-fi/thriller film encompasses the genre in the opening sequence as we first see a black screen with a tiny white dot in the middle, which gradually appears to be growing larger or closer. The white dot then seems to become a bright white light, with white circles appearing from it. The white circle appears again with an inner grey circle and a black circle, this then transforms into an eye. This part of the opening sequence has a sci-fi feel to it which the audience can then distinguish as something to expect from the whole film. 

After this, the title appears on screen in front of a white background, which we come to see later in the sequence. Next we see a few establishing setting shots of waterfalls, which are important as part of the mise-en-scene as this allows the audience to visualise where the film is set. A man on a motorbike is shown driving on a dimly lit road, the man is then shown retrieving the body of a young woman and placing her in a white van, this is a fundamental part of the opening sequence as it allows the viewers to assume what may be happening, as we would typically associate this with kidnapping. The camera then cuts to a close up shot of a young girls face, which is against a stark white background and is dimly light, so her face appears black against the background, this is an interesting lighting choice as part of the mise-en-scene as it accentuates the characters (Corrigan and White 79). The camera then pans up her body showing someone undressing her, next we see a wide shot of the lifeless body lying on the ground and a naked woman continuing to undress her, both the characters are still dimly lit against a white background which creates an image of silhouettes. 

The naked woman (Scarlet Johansson’s character), is then seen dressing in the dead woman’s clothes. This last scene is an significant part of the opening sequence as it adds to the mystery created in the previous scenes and it introduces us to the main character and is important in helping the audience in determining the character. Throughout the opening sequence haunting music, with a sci-fi element is used which is a vital part in establishing the whole film to the viewer. Also heard during the initial opening scenes is a young woman's voice muttering random sounds that are hard to distinguish, this is a very pivotal part of the relationship between film and sound as at this point the white circle as previously mentioned is appearing on screen, and the non-diegetic dialogue helps in adding to the atmosphere created by the white circle. The director, Jonathan Glazer, uses the opening sequence extremely well to introduce the film to us, using the techniques of cinematography, sound and mise-en-scene to make us think about what the film could be about and what we can expect to see from the film.

References:

Corrigan Timothy and Patricia White. The Film Experience: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Boston/New York: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2012. Print.

Under the Skin. Dir. Jonathan Glazer. Film4, BFI, 2013. Film.

“Under the Skin Opening Scene.” 2nd January 2015. Youtube. Web video. 25 April 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVJsTc_HMU.