Analysis of 'Wallander'

The opening sequences for 'Wallander' (Firewall, MacCormick, 2008, UK) is successful because it draws the viewer in by making the audience ask questions. This was accomplished by revealing certain and important pieces of the mise en scene so this makes the viewer think about where they are, why they are there and how did they get there. Also the use of clothing draws the viewer in as they want to know what sort of person the characters are. For example; a leather jacket is worn by one of the girls in the opening sequence, the viewer could use stereotyping and come to the conclusion that this girl is rebellious and goes by her own rules and no one else. By doing this the viewer then wants to carry on watching the film because they want to know if their predictions and their thoughts were accurate and correct.

The shots used in the opening sequence are vital because they help set the scene and the atmosphere for the rest of the film. In this case the camera shots are commonly close ups or extreme close ups. By using these shots the viewer can only see specific objects in the mise en scene making the audience think about what is around and where they are. The close ups are used to give little detail and to keep the viewer thinking about the situation whereas the extreme close ups show more detail so that the audience can pick up clues about the film and help them picture what could happen in the rest of the film. The opening sequence for this film is different as it starts of with the camera in a helicopter to create an establishing shot. This could have been used to give the viewer a setting in which they can now use to create the story using the clues that they will pick up within the opening sequence.The combination of the close ups, extreme close ups and the establishing shot help portray the atmosphere, mise en scene and the beginning of the plot of the story.

The colours used in the opening sequence portray the fact that the film is a thriller. The fact that they have decided to use yellow and black shows that the film will contain danger and death giving the viewer an insight to what the film will contain and how the story may progress with and end with.