Analysing Kill Bill Volume 2, Texan Burial Scene

Kill Bill: Compare and Contrast how the Four Technical Areas (Camera, Sound, Mis-en Screen and Lighting) represent the bride in the burial scene.

In the first scene the camera shows the bride in a helpless position as she is sealed into

            the coffin. This sense of vulnerability is achieved initially by a low angle shot focusing in on the terrified face of the woman which signifies a sense of helplessness. This then cuts to the men looking down mercilessly upon the bride and shows the audience that she is the victim. Furthermore the shot looking up upon the men puts the audience in the same position as her which gives one an understanding of what she is going through and the emotions she is feeling (Fear, Anxiousness, etc.).

            The sound portrayed in this scene creates a strong sense of fear and anxiety which enables the audience to feel similar emotions as the ones she is feeling. The non-diegetic music makes one empathize with the woman at the beginning of the scene however the diegetic sounds soon cuts in and ones emotions immediately change from empathy to anxiety and fear. This begins when the nail is being hammered into the wood and the hits are accentuated and amplified to create a sense of fear. This is then followed by the sound of mud being shovelled on top of the coffin. The sounds become evermore muffled as more and more dirt is shovelled by the digger, this portrays the girls helplessness. Diegetic, amplified heavy breathing and exasperated sobs also shows her panic in the situation. The use of a large gap in any sound creates tension and suspense and forces the audience to ask questions, “Has she given up?”, “What’s she going to do now?”

            M.E.S is also used affectively. The men are showed dressed in cowboy costumes drinking beer which signifies that they are untrustworthy and casual, almost not caring about the poor woman they have just buried. The brides clothing is ragged and torn up which connotes that she has been struggling /fighting. Also the blood and sweat running down her face has shows again her fight to escape.

            Initially there is a low light emphasizing the darkness which can be associated with helplessness and a loss of all hope. Then the artificial light from the digger is seen through the lid of the coffin yet slowly disappears which almost mirrors her hope disappearing as the light goes. Once she is buried the use of the flash light then gives the audience an idea of just how confined the box is which creates empathy as one realises that she is alone and has little chance of survival.