My Film Still Analysis

12 Years A Slave (2013/Steve McQueen)

Narrative
The actors portraying the slaves are wearing ragged, dirty clothes which connotes poverty and helplessness. It suggests that something awful has happened, or is happening at that moment. The solemn looks on their faces further highlight this narrative; they look tired and in despair, which implies they are suffering .The framing here is important as it shows a large ship in the background, close to where the slaves are sitting. The clarity of the object may be intentionally reminding us of the long journey that the slaves have endured, or are about to endure. This image is a long shot of the slaves and it highlights the relationship that they have. They are squashed together, perhaps for comfort, but it is ambiguous and could also mean that they are outsiders and so have to be grouped together. The man on the right is a fair distance away from them and wears distinctly different clothing. The distance symbolizes a metaphorical divide and the clothes signify a social divide.

Genre
The facial expressions carry a sorrowful, lonely feel, which in turn could be familiarized with the genre of tragedy. However, in these same expressions, there is a foreboding sense that untold stories within these characters, from the past and the future, are waiting to be told. Therefore, the film seems more likely to be a drama, as it looks as if it will be telling stories of someone's life, and the various experiences they have had, including the one we can see from the still. Another hint from the still for the film being of this genre is the subtle conflict shown between the white man and the black slaves. The racial prejudice theme fits into the genre perfectly. As it is likely to be of this genre, the audience may well expect to see upsetting scenes as some people would have knowledge outside of the film about the harsh realities of slavery.

Audience
The slaves would instantly catch the attention of the audience. Whether it be due to their seemingly uncomfortable positions or their looks of utter despair, it is likely to produce an emotional and sympathetic response from the audience. The fact that there is a young girl on the end may surprise the audience as the surroundings do not seem appropriate for a child. This could cause them to question why there is this one child; she seems out of place. Finally, at this stage, it is likely that the slaves are about to venture onto a different kind of life which may excite the audience, as they want to know what happens next. The man coming towards them suggests this; he is the symbol of their new life, which is likely to unfold as the film goes on.