Analysing the ‘Belle’ Trailer

Mise en Scene

As soon as the trailer opens, the costumes and setting give the audience an indication of the setting and historical context of the film. The grand stately homes also connote the fact that there will be a ethnic difference between the family within the trailer. When Belle is first seen as a child, she is wrapped in brown blankets which connotes the class that she has come from, and the fact that within this time period, she would have not been considered as important enough to wear the clothing of the white people. The blanket also connotes that Belle had been treated like an an animal. The golden interior of the home connotes the wealth of the family, along with the large paintings, Greek statues and enormous grounds.

Sound

The accents of all the characters involved in the film are that of reprehensive of an upper class background. Even Belle talks just like the white family who have raised her, which challenges the stereotypes usually associated with people of colour. The non-diagetic sound consist of violins and an orchestra, which would have been typical of the time. As modern music would not fit to the genre and time period of the film. The music crescendos at the most emotive parts of the film, and when the trailer involves the most action. A piano is used towards the end of the trailer to also connote the love and passion that Belle finds, whilst portraying the struggle she faces due to her race. With regards to the diagetic speech in the trailer, the audience are made aware of the racial struggle Belle faces through the powerful terms such as ‘’I never knew she would be so black’’ in contrast to ‘’I am not ashamed of her’’ - giving the audience a direct indication of the contrasting views of the characters within the film.

Cinematography

The slow panning/establishing shots connote to the audience the prestigious setting of the film. The mid shot at the beginning that shows Belle and her ‘Father’ in the middle of the shot, shows the connection and closeness between the two characters right from the beginning of the trailer. There are multiple close-ups when the camera is shown on Belle, which gives insight to the feelings and emotions of her, which are important within the film. A long shot is also used at the beginning of the trailer as it shows the divide between Belle and her father, and the older members of the home, who seem to not take to their new member of the ‘family’. This connotes the divide between race within England during this time.

Editing There are several transitions between the cuts of the film including

fades and dissolves which give the impression of a dream like atmosphere to the trailer. A wipe across the screen is used as belle runs across from a child to an adult, which portrays the growth she has had at her home and the fact that she has grown up into a woman there. Over the shoulder shots are used when Belle is talking to what looks like her love at the end of the trailer, which shows the close relationship she has with him, despite her colour.