The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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I chose to watch, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This movie is about a little boy, Bruno who moves from Berlin to an area near a concentration camp because his father has been given a promotion. Once there, the Bruno decides to venture out, and eventually comes across a young Jewish boy whom he befriends at the fence to the concentration camp. 

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Generally a tilt shot is used at the end to signify that the movie is coming to a close, but in this film the camera zooms out of the door. This is done after the main character (a little boy) accidentally gets killed when trying to accompany his friend. He goes to what he thinks will be a shower and ends up being gasses with others from a camp that he managed to slip into. The closed door and room full of "striped pajamas" shows the emptiness and lack of life.

                                         

                                          

As Bruno (main character) walks to his death, his father begins to realize what has happened. A reaction shot is taken. The father looks up in hopes to see that no smoke has risen yet, but finds the signal that bodies have been burned and people gassed. An eye level close up is taken to show the confusion and then realization that the father has had. This is done to better emphasize his facial expressions and convey each emotion as best as could be done.

                                          

The little boy behind the fence begins with his head down, to incite some curiosity as to why he seems so sad. This character is usually much more communicative and this angle captures the crudeness of the moment. Shortly after the character looks up to reveal that he has a bruised eye, leaving an explanation for his change in mood.

                                          

                                          

The scene begins with a full shot, showing the family sitting together while the Bruno sits alone on the sofa. With a view of the family farther away, it seems as if they are not as significant as the others, but still so since they sit together and seem united. Later the focus is on Bruno which will serve to display his reaction to the news his family has just given him. He is not pleased with having to move, but his family tries to convince him that it is a good idea and new opportunities await them. Even then, it can be noted that Bruno doesn't look forward to this drastic change in their lives.

A high angle shot (bird's eye view) is taken in this scene, making the characters appear small compared to the rest of the room. This gives a sense of insignificance to Bruno and his mother, allowing viewers to judge them and see each movement they make.