There are many different ways to convey themes and meanings through the use of the distinctively visual aspect of films. Both directors Tom Tywker (Run Lola, Run) and Antoine Fuqua (Olympus has Fallen) have used multiple visual techniques such as mis-en-scene, repetition to allow the viewer to gain a better understanding of such themes as, loss and the fixed nature of time. The themes are present throughout both of the texts and this helps you to interpret messages being given by the directors more clearly. Time is an unchangeable factor of life across Tywkers 1998 classic motion picture, Run Lola, Run.
Time has the power to change the outcome of every little event throughout the movies entirety. The first sound we hear is the ticking of an old grandfather clock, this compliments the opening scenes where we see a cartoon version of Lola running through ticking clocks. The repetition of the tick, tick, tick adds emphasis to the motif that is time, and how it controls the future events in the movie. The race against time is one of the predominant themes in Run Lola, Run and this is shown by Tywker where he sets three individual runs set at 20 minutes each.
If Lola gets there to her location too late, both her and Manni rob a supermarket and Lola ends up being shot shortly after. In the second run she arrives a few seconds too late and Manni is the one whom dies. In the third and final run, Lola reaches Manni in time. This leads the pair away from robbing the supermarket as Lola has obtained the needed money through a casino. Tywkers used the theme of time through techniques to allow a further understanding of the fixed nature of time, and how it can’t be modified to suit the needs of anyone, no matter what the outcome will be.
The Essay on Theme And Its Importance
Theme is the principal phrase or idea behind a story. It plays an important role in the notable accomplishment of Shirley Jacksons The Lottery, The Open Boat written by Stephen Crane, and Battle Royal by Ralph Ellison. Each of these stories portray an important and powerful theme which is a valuable contribution to the success of each work. The Lottery is a story about human sacrifice and ...
In Antoine Fuqua’s Movie ‘Olympus has Fallen’ we witness a scene full of loss and despair, along with moving pictures showing the destruction of The White House. The montage of clips of The White House burning and falling to pieces give us an overview of what happened in the previous scenes, where there has been a take over of the political powerhouse, America, at the hands of a foreign group, North Korea. We witness the American flag be torn down from the pole and tossed off the roof, slowly falling to the ground in a slow motion shot. This is to represent the final stage of the take over.
The flag in itself is symbolic as it is ripped and tattered, relating to the spirits of all American’s as they have lost all hope and personal security. The lighting has been used well in the scene, with dark orange and red shades being the main colours to represent the burning fires and also the ending of day with the sunset and that this event is the ending of life as it was. The accompanying soundtrack adds emphases to the transformation of The White House, from a peaceful safe haven to that of an untouchable place of power, power that is currently being held in the hands of the enemy.
The director has given viewers a vast array of techniques to allow for a deeper and more knowledgeable understanding of how easily something so safe and innocent, can become corrupt and full of despair. Both texts studied have allowed for a broader understanding of the themes conveyed by the directors. ‘Run Lola, Run ……….. ‘Olympus has Fallen’ tells us of how it only takes the blink of an eye for the world to change for the worse. Without these techniques, we wouldn’t understand fully the messages being portrayed in the two studied texts.
