1. Short Film Analysis: Benigni

This short film expresses a lonely man suffering from isolation and seclusion which is firstly established through the long shot of a building. The use of square windows signifies monotony and repetition which is contrasted through the mise-en-scene, as the wall colour is yellow. Therefore, assuming this short film includes happiness- as it denotes sunshine and connotes joy, but the faded colour portrays dull and unexciting qualities. In addition, the drain pipe on the building also signifies the characters life: the straight line represents his usual day-to-day routine, whereas the diagonal line connotes a twist. However, this typical short film convention is broken by the straight line, indicating that his life continues as usual. Furthermore, the use of sound in this sequence is minimal, portraying his life as quiet and alone. Additionally, the fact this shot lasts for 19 seconds conveys a slow and monotonous tone.

A straight cut is then used to reveal the character in more detail, but exposing the room to be dark, lifeless and gloomy. Hence, this signifies that the characters life is too dark and unsatisfying. Moreover, the fly which enters room indicates the sense of time in the short film: the character is able to kill the fly slowly which presents him as slow and sluggish. After this however, we are introduced to the twist- a small boyle has formed under his arm. The use of camera work indicates this isn’t something he is used to as the previous long shots/mid shots change to a close up, signifying a panic which is reinforced through his facial expressions. However, this panic is broken as immediately after we see dirty dishes reinforcing the lifeless aspect of the short film. The sound in this shot also portrays a struggle as the use of the tap dripping further strengths the silence and isolation. After this, his loneliness is even more portrayed through the long shot, as it reveals the room to be large, and his presence to be small.

Moving on, from 3:09, we see a different side to the character. For example the emotion anger is what we wouldn’t expect, due to his lifeless body language and presence. In relation to the camera techniques and editing, we also see a faster pace, contrasted to the early shots. However, when we see a high angle of his third arm, all the anger is lost. Child like features portrays the arm to be sweet and innocent, qualities that the main character didn’t have. Therefore, he soon becomes attached to his ‘child’ conveying ideas of friendship and love. Mostly importantly, through the mid shot of him smoking, there is an equality shown through the frame as they are both centralised. Furthermore, the fact they both participate in activities such as smoking, reading, playing the xylophone adds to the positivity of the short film. In particular, the emotional attachment the main character has on the child is shown deeply when he provides a small pillow for the child. The sound also uses sweet music to add to this.

Moreover, the symbolism used on the child’s first birthday of the bubbles represents freedom. The fact the child receives this gift however indicates that the main character will never be free. The death of the child by the window merely reflects the protagonist’s old day-to-day routine, meaning that he will always be alone and isolated. Some argue however that the child was never real, and that the protaginist was attached to an illness: which could be loneliness.

Overall I really like this short film, the simplicity of isolation depicts different emotions and feelings. I feel I could go into this theme as it explores different types of emotions.