Cuaron Children Of Men Analysis

Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men effectively creates and examines a dystopian world set in the startlingly near future. The film achieves this creation and examination of the world through exceptional camerawork, lighting and mise-en-scène, and sound. Through these formal elements of filmmaking, the world of the film is constructed in immense detail. Cuaron’s Children of Men is a film I enjoyed immensely because of its exquisite use of formal elements, which effectively created meaning and supported the narrative of the film. Camerawork is integral to the success of Children of Men. Cuaron frequently uses long takes and tracking shots, which opens the world of the film to the viewer. Throughout the film, details about the world and the narrative are expressed through these long takes and tracking shots. For example, in a scene where Theo is shown walking through London, graffiti is made visible to the viewer shortly before he walks by an area where refugees are detained. The words on the wall reference the Human Project, a mysterious organization that becomes a major part of Theo’s narrative arc. Another interesting detail shown by these long takes and tracking shots was a decrepit, broken baby carriage among other trash strewn across a stairwell Theo and Julian walk down on their way to take Kee out of London. This symbolic object represents the infertility crisis and supports the narrative of the film. Long takes are also used to place the viewer in the scene. An example of this is the attack on Julian’s car in the woods, where we

Formal elements in the film, like the camerawork, lighting and mise-en-scène, and sound greatly contribute to the creditability of the setting, which allows the viewer to enter the story and experience it from the perspective of the characters themselves. I was able to really enjoy the film because of the immersion I felt due to the exceptional use of formal elements of