Opening Scenes and Enigma - 'Rebecca'
The first film that I'm going to be looking at that introduces enigma/mystery in the opening sequence is 'Rebecca'.
Everything about what the narrator is saying in the opening sequence, is in the past, which creates enigma for the audience because we are hearing about events that we haven't witnessed. Our uncertainty about the validity of what is being said, depends upon whether we believe the narrator to be reliable or not. She talks about her experiences, which could either be real or imagined; she could be having a dream about her past experiences and the uncertainty is what creates the mystery of it.
The house is surrounded by mist and dark woods, which further unsettles the audience, setting the tone for the narrative that is to follow. The house appears to represent her past and her desires, but by talking vaguely and revealing little, mystery is created for the audience. This is quite often the purpose of opening sequences from the thriller genre, which director Alfred Hitchcock was a master of.
Everything about what the narrator is saying in the opening sequence, is in the past, which creates enigma for the audience because we are hearing about events that we haven't witnessed. Our uncertainty about the validity of what is being said, depends upon whether we believe the narrator to be reliable or not. She talks about her experiences, which could either be real or imagined; she could be having a dream about her past experiences and the uncertainty is what creates the mystery of it.
The house is surrounded by mist and dark woods, which further unsettles the audience, setting the tone for the narrative that is to follow. The house appears to represent her past and her desires, but by talking vaguely and revealing little, mystery is created for the audience. This is quite often the purpose of opening sequences from the thriller genre, which director Alfred Hitchcock was a master of.
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