Wallander Opening Sequence

The first image is a typical shot of the genre. A close up shot used in a title sequence is used to create suspense and curiosity by limiting the amount the audience can see. This is shown whilst we hear unnerving music playing ominous notes on each scene change. This is also used to create a build tension and make the audience feel unsettled.

The second image reveals the setting. The mise-en-scene presents a vast rural location. There is a car in the middle of the shot, which grabs the audience's attention as it is unusual for a car to be parked in such a remote location. This makes the audience question why this car is placed here, and we start to assume something sinister has happened due to the music.

After the second ominous note is played, we are thrown from a great distance to ground level, where we are presented with two new characters. We can assume that these two females are teenagers from their costume and hairstyles. The girl on the right conforms to our typical ideas that we would associate with rebellious  punky teenagers. This contrasts the other girls costume suggesting that this other girl could have a negative influence on her actions. We also notice that the identity of this girls remains a mystery.

The third image is an extreme closeup of a man looking battered face down on a steering wheel, this confirms that these girls are responsible. The main focus of the image is the mans taxi licence and the blood spatter suggesting that these girls have attacked this man, but the audience doesn't know why.

The next shot reveals the girls identities. The punky girl is shown closest to the frame, while her accomplish is slightly out of focus, further away, this maybe a reflection of the girls position, and this suggests that this girl may of been led astray, and may not be doing this completely of her own free will. This is also reinforced by the punky girls cold expression and the other girls more concerned expression.

We are then shown another extreme close-up of this man, the camera focuses on his bruising and facial scarring which is very severe suggesting there was real intent behind this attack. It also focuses on the flicker of this mans eye, showing that he isn't dead but may be dying.

The next shot is a mid shot showing both the girls in clear focus. They are both breathing heavily suggesting that either there was a struggle or just that they are hyped up on adrenaline. We can also see that both girls have blood spatter on their faces, maybe they both attacked him.

We are then shown another closeup of the taxi drivers id, in which he doesn't look menacing or sadistic in any way, and this ID shows could represent the fact that this man didn't deserve what has happened to him, shows he is a person, and doesn't portray him as a criminal in any way.

We then see an extreme close-up of a knife being wielded by the punky girl, covered in the blood of this man, which leads us to the conclusion and confirmation that she has single-handedly attacked this man, and the audience just wants to know why.