‘The Descent’Cinematography

By Kristina Olubaite

10th October 2012

Denotation.In this scene Juno falls into the water as her friend pushes her into it.

Connotation.Girls are laughing and Juno are not getting angry at her friend for pushing her into the water, it suggests that they are old friends and that they have good relationships.

DenotationIn this scene Sarah’s husband helps Juno to come out from the water.

Connotation.Sarah’s husband helps Juno and not his wife, this suggests that Juno and Sarah’s husband had secret relations.

Denotation:Here Sarah’s husband is helping Juno to take off the helmet. Juno asked him to help her because her hands are cold.

Connotation:Sarah’s husband helping Juno himself suggests that they could have had affair together and hided it from Sarah

Denotation:In this scene Sarah and her friend are just getting out from the boat, then Sarah glances at her daughter and goes to hug her. At the same time her husband is helping Juno.

Connotation:Sarah doesn’t know anything about her husband and Juno or she have noticed something but because she doesn’t want any arguments so she ignores them and goes to hug her daughter instead.

Denotation:Sarah’s husband as soon as takes off Juno’s helmet says to his daughter that it is cold so lets go to the car. He leaves Juno and walks past, while Juno looks at him walking past and leaving her.

Connotation:Sarah’s husband realises that he made obvious point about his and Juno’s relations so he leaves her and walks past. He feels guilty or even angry so quickly he tells to his daughter that they have to go and leaves that awkward moment behind him.

Denotation:In this scene Sarah tells to her daughter to go with her dad because she has to stay and help the girls, but one of her friend tells her that she can go. So her husband gives her a hand and helps her to come across, also he kisses her quickly and lets her go first.Connotation:Sarah’s husband feels guilty. He helps Sarah, but kisses her very quickly on her cheek and lets her go, meaning he keeps the distance and stays cold with her. He possibly wonders if she noticed his behaviour with Juno and if Sarah knows anything about their relationships.

EditingThe movement of camera shots are very natural in this scene. Mostly it moves from one character to another showing their communication and conversations. The shots are slow and extensive.We can hear non-diagetic sound in the background, which is soft violin melody. Making meaning from non-diagetic sound, it means hope and feels like they all are save and nothing bad going to happen.