Settings The film is set in a school in South Korea and at no point is it set outside of the school. The props such as books, blackboards and school equipment and the school uniforms of the students tell the audience that the film is set in a school. The school acts as a microcosm, translating to a “small world”; they school is a microcosm for South Korean society and the history of military ruling and the recent democracy. The school is home to older teachers (Mrs Park and ‘Mad Dog’) who represent military ruling and the younger teachers (Eun-Young and the sports teacher) who represent democracy. It is also home to the ghost of Jin-Ju who when leaves at the end, military ruling is supposed to go with her and her presence represents the past of military ruling lurking. Props Eun-Young, Jin-Ju, Jae-Yi and Ji-Oh all have a small set of bells that tell the story of how Jae-Yi is actually Jin-Ju and tells the story of friendship between Eun-Young and Jin-Ju and the friendship between Ji-Oh and Jae-Yi. As well as this, the bells signify death as they are also known as death bells. They come in the form of small hand bells that people within the nineteenth century used to have in conjunction with the death of a loved one or were used at funerals. The sculptures in the art room are there for audience response as they are creepy and this shows they are only there to drive the mood of the audience. This is similar with the body in the art room which I think to be ‘Mad Dog’s’ body. It has no reason to show up but is only there to make an eerie atmosphere and is a genre convention of horror and mystery. The art knife that Eun-Young (whilst in school) uses to carve the sculpture of Jin-Ju’s head foreshadows that something may happen with that knife later in the film. It is later used by Jin-Ju’s ghost to murder her victims as she slits their throats and mutilate them. Costume, Hair and Make-up There are two main costumes seen in the movie; a new uniform of students in the present day and the old uniform which is shown in flash backs or when Jin-Ju reveals herself. This backs up the setting of a school. Also, the way all the uniforms are the same and the hair of students is worn the same shows that they have to conform to rules and are a product of the society they’re living in. Facial Expressions and Body Language Most of the shots showing character’s facial expressions are usually bleak and never usually happy, they are usually shown in close ups and have no meaning other than to be mood driven. Light and Colour There are two main colour palettes of Whispering Corridors and that is a day time colour palette and a night time colour palette; the day time one is bleak and neutral shades such as beiges, browns and white and the night time colour palette consists of cold, dark colours such as blacks and deep blues. This is mood driven and when the colour red is seen, it stands out against the other colours. Red signifies death and danger due to it being the colour of blood. It can be seen when Mrs Park is using the pen, the blood drops on Jin-Ju’s desk, the crack in Jin-Ju’s sculpture and when Jin-Ju leaves and blood is dripping down the wall. All of this ties the story together and blood is only used when Jin-Ju is involved in the situation or the conversation. Other than this it has no other meaning but to drive the mood of the audience. Low key lighting and chiaroscuro lighting is used for atmosphere. However, there is a use of high key lighting when Eun-Young is on the floor after the attack of Jin-Ju. I feel as though she is put in a spotlight to show that she is the possible protagonist of the film. Positioning of the characters/objects within the frame
When Eun-Young is on the floor, Jin-Ju is over her showing that she is the one with the power in the situation. However, positioning of the characters within the film isn’t big or significant because I don’t think there is any need for it as shots are usually mood driven rather than being used to serve a purpose.
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