Director/screenplay: David Moreau, Xavier Palud
Cast: Olivia Bonamy, Michaël Cohen
About the film: 'Ils' is a French thriller/horror film, claimed to be based on true events. It's about a woman named Clémentine, who finishes a week of teaching and heads home to the secluded house in the woods she shares with her novelist husband Lucas. That night, Clémentine is working when their phone rings, which she picks up to strange sounds on the other end. Later, her and her partner hear strange noises from outside and go to see what is going on, when their power cuts out - where then the innocent couple are terrorised within (and out) their own home.
One of the generic features of a thriller film that is featured in 'Ils' is the locations used. The film opens with a mother and daughter driving along a deserted country road at night, where they are having an argument and the mother crashes the car. She then goes to check the engine, but doesn't reappear when the daughter calls for her. Many shots during this scene are point of view shots - from the daughters point of view, within the car- where she is then terrorised and killed from the interior of the car; which is a generic location for thrillers.
Another generic feature of thrillers in this text is the character types and dangerous situation they find themselves in - there are the innocent victims, Clémentine and Lucas, who are trying to escape from the aggressors; and then the antagonists themselves who are similar to the 'stalker' type as they are terrorising the victims in their own house, as well as chasing them through the woods/forest. Another generic feature of thrillers in this text is the high levels of anticipation, suspense and tension; and how it is created. The fact that the victims live in a large, secluded house, surrounded by a forest helps to build suspense as, not only does it seem very eerie and sinister, but - with only the couple living there- anyone could be in or outside their home and they may not even know; until it's too late.
Another way anticipation and suspense is built up is through the use of ambiguity and enigma. For the most part of this text, we don't know who - or what- the aggressors are; which helps to build anticipation within the audience as it creates a feeling of uncertainty within them as we want to know who/what they are, and why they are doing this (terrorising the 'innocent' couple).
Finally, another way in which tension is created in this text is through the use of hand-held cameras/camera shots. For example, in the scene where Lucas is trying to get into the bedroom (of which he previously told Clémentine to lock as the antagonists were in their house), and Clémentine can't open the door to get Lucas in away from the aggressors who are following him. In this scene, there are hand-held cameras used for the shots of both characters; which helps to build tension as it shows the urgency- and desperation- of both of the characters to get the door open, to try and escape the antagonists. There is also the use of hand-held cameras for the scenes in the forest, when Clémentine is running away from the aggressors to find help. As well as creating a sense of urgency, in these scenes the use of the hand-held cameras also helps to create a feeling of anxiety and fear. This is due to the fast pace and obscure angles created from using this camera - which could be reflective of the characters mind set as she is essentially 'running for her life' - and Lucas'- as she is desperately trying to escape, and to go find help.
Just before the credits roll, on-screen text, in the manner of films "based on true events," explains that the bodies of Clémentine and Lucas were found five days later and that the murderers were children aged 10–15. Upon interrogation the youngest of the group revealed as an explanation of that night's events that "They wouldn't play with us."
One of the generic features of a thriller film that is featured in 'Ils' is the locations used. The film opens with a mother and daughter driving along a deserted country road at night, where they are having an argument and the mother crashes the car. She then goes to check the engine, but doesn't reappear when the daughter calls for her. Many shots during this scene are point of view shots - from the daughters point of view, within the car- where she is then terrorised and killed from the interior of the car; which is a generic location for thrillers.
Another generic feature of thrillers in this text is the character types and dangerous situation they find themselves in - there are the innocent victims, Clémentine and Lucas, who are trying to escape from the aggressors; and then the antagonists themselves who are similar to the 'stalker' type as they are terrorising the victims in their own house, as well as chasing them through the woods/forest. Another generic feature of thrillers in this text is the high levels of anticipation, suspense and tension; and how it is created. The fact that the victims live in a large, secluded house, surrounded by a forest helps to build suspense as, not only does it seem very eerie and sinister, but - with only the couple living there- anyone could be in or outside their home and they may not even know; until it's too late.
Another way anticipation and suspense is built up is through the use of ambiguity and enigma. For the most part of this text, we don't know who - or what- the aggressors are; which helps to build anticipation within the audience as it creates a feeling of uncertainty within them as we want to know who/what they are, and why they are doing this (terrorising the 'innocent' couple).
Finally, another way in which tension is created in this text is through the use of hand-held cameras/camera shots. For example, in the scene where Lucas is trying to get into the bedroom (of which he previously told Clémentine to lock as the antagonists were in their house), and Clémentine can't open the door to get Lucas in away from the aggressors who are following him. In this scene, there are hand-held cameras used for the shots of both characters; which helps to build tension as it shows the urgency- and desperation- of both of the characters to get the door open, to try and escape the antagonists. There is also the use of hand-held cameras for the scenes in the forest, when Clémentine is running away from the aggressors to find help. As well as creating a sense of urgency, in these scenes the use of the hand-held cameras also helps to create a feeling of anxiety and fear. This is due to the fast pace and obscure angles created from using this camera - which could be reflective of the characters mind set as she is essentially 'running for her life' - and Lucas'- as she is desperately trying to escape, and to go find help.
Just before the credits roll, on-screen text, in the manner of films "based on true events," explains that the bodies of Clémentine and Lucas were found five days later and that the murderers were children aged 10–15. Upon interrogation the youngest of the group revealed as an explanation of that night's events that "They wouldn't play with us."
Some promising detailed analysis of how the director Moreau establishes the generic credentials of this interesting thriller.
ReplyDeleteIn order to strengthen your marks you could begin to make inter textual references by comparing generic aspects of this film with that of other thrillers.
For example the shot at the beginning of the trailer is similar to the shot of Eve in her bedroom in "Once Upon a Time in America". The consistent use of noir lighting is similar to the lighting used in........... Noir lighting and contrasting effects between light and dark inject the mise-en-scene with a sense of nightmare.....
I think you are ready for this Sian because of your understanding of how generic conventions work.