Amish Isolation In The Contemporary Society example essay topic

How does the film Witness explore isolation and violence? In your answer, you should refer closely to at least two scenes and explore the ideas, forms and cinematic language used in the film. In the film 'Witness', Peter Weir illustrates the clash of two worlds. Weir's main purpose in this film is to show the division of societies, juxtaposing the Amish society with the contemporary society.

Weir explores the main themes of isolation and violence between the two societies. Weir depicts his admiration of the Amish society in a favourable light while presenting the contemporary society negatively as a malevolent place of violence, corruption and isolation. It is through the cinematic elements and objects of symbolism that Weir is able to express his admiration and communicate his message to his audience. The Amish live their way of life and their values in which they believe is in harmony and isolation from contemporary society. Through the establishing scenes, a lengthy long shot of the Amish people gradually emerging from the softly swaying grass as they walk together as a community to their peaceful village.

The horizon cuts across the frame showing large portions of blue sky to emphasise the freedom and openness of the Amish community. The adding of non-diegetic orchestral music deepens the mood of peace and freedom in the community. The setting of the Amish village is constructed to illustrate their isolation from the contemporary society. Aspects of the Amish uniform and their way of speaking German, make the Amish different from normal society.

Another aspect of separation from the contemporary society is the rejection of modern conveniences; audiences view the Amish using horses and buggies instead of cars for transport. The city stands as a symbol of a malevolent place for the Amish. Rachel and Samuel are warned by Eli, to be careful of the English people, as they prepare to go to the city. The mise-en-scene of the city is constructed to emphasise the filth and darkness where violence is a common occurrence.

The scene in the train station establishes the Amish isolation in the contemporary society. Both Rachel and Samuel's fear and confusion is expressed through close up shots of the characters facial expressions as they ask for directions. Weir conveys the message of the contemporary society as impolite and un supportive. In contrast to this he presents the Amish society open and supportive, and willing to help others. As Samuel wanders through the unfriendly surroundings, the camera focuses on the surroundings from Samuel's eye level.

This allows the audience to sympathise with him, his curiosity and discomfort of the surroundings. Samuel sights a statue depicting an angel clutching the body of a dying man. The high angle shot of Samuel as he looks up at the statue, shows him as small and isolated in the modern society. Non-diegetic sound is added to deepen the fear and tension Samuel is feeling.

Violence is another major theme focused in the film, Weir frequently uses the colour red to symbolism violence. The murder scene is constructed to allow the audience to feel horrified, disgusted and fully appreciate the threatening nature of the violence witnessed. Weir emphasises this by positioning a disproportionately large picture of the murder scene in the centre to dominate the frame and thus highlight the corrupted contemporary society. The audience is shown Samuel's point of view which enables the audiences to sympathise with his fright and fear.

The diegetic sound of footsteps, water drops and the train, builds tension towards the murder scene. Symbols of violence, the red cloth and copious amounts of red blood used in the murder scene, makes the audience feel horrified and disgusted, and to create a violent atmosphere. Samuel's large, wide open eyes express his fear and innocence's to the shocking horrors that he witnesses. In contrast, the contemporary society treats violence as an everyday matter, which is shown through the calmness of the murders. The scene set at the ironically titled 'Happy Valley Inn' is used by Weir to depict violence and filth of the contemporary society. The mise-en-scene of the scene is constructed to emphasise the filth and darkness of the city.

A claustrophobic and violent atmosphere confronts the audience when inside the bar. This effect is constructed through the harsh diegetic music and a smoky, red wash throughout the room. When Book and Carter believe they have found their suspect, a high level of violence and swearing is used by the contemporary police to handle the suspect. Weir illustrates the contemporary society relying on violence to solve problems. The audience is shown Samuel's point of view as he witnesses the whacking and slamming of the suspect against the car. Rachel's and Samuel's fear and innocence is shown as Samuel huddles into the shadows to escape the violence.

Rachel's discomfort of the violence is shown as she begs Book for no part in this. The scene set at the 'Happy valley Inn' is juxtaposed with the Amish barn raising. By this juxtaposition, Weir emphasises the peace and openness of the Amish, and the violence of the contemporary society. The mise-en-scene of the Amish village is constructed to generate the feeling of the Amish freedom, and isolation from the contemporary society.

Weir uses long shots of the barn rising to depict a large supportive community working together happily and fulfilling their roles of the community; men build barns while the women prepare the food. The emotion of peace and harmony builds as non-diegetic orchestral music crescendos in the background while the barn is being built. Book's isolation of an Englishman in the Amish community is shown to be broken, audiences see the Amish accepting him into their community. Audiences see Book using his carpentry skill to help rise the barn, and his close relationships between him and Daniel as they share drinks. The symbol of the gun, for the contemporary society is an object used to solve problems and for protection. In contrast, the Amish see the guns as an evil object which takes the lives of humans.

This is illustrated to the audience when Book allows Samuel to handle the gun when unloaded, which he believes is safe. Rachel sees Samuel with the gun and is horrified, she asks Book to respect their Amish values. Book then realises the negative impacts his actions has on the Amish community. Eli's speech to Samuel, in which he warns the boy that the gun is an 'unclean thing' which can corrupt his heart. Weir communicates the Amish message that violence is not the only way to solve problems. However, in the end Book adopt the Amish non-violent persuasion to disarm Schaeffer.

Peter Weir explores isolation and violence between the clashes of two worlds. He presents the contemporary society reliance of violence to solve problems and for protection. In contrast the Amish are shown isolated from the contemporary society, to have no part of the violence in the contemporary society. They seek to support each other rather than attacking to seek their own benefits..