Mise-en-Scene

Australia (2002)

The setting for this scene is in a destroyed camp of some kind, which is clear from the evidence of peoples belongings scattered around the frame, all charred and broken.

There are many props in the scene, including several fancy looking trunks that have been left open as if abandoned in a hurry and are now covered in ash and dirt. The most prominent prop in the scene is the trunk/box that the character is sitting with a hat hanging of the corner. This type of hat is a bush hat, commonly used in the Australian outback giving the viewer more detail as to where it’s set.

There are also upside down tables and chairs, but we are clearly outside as we can see a large tree and parts of branches on the dirt floor, giving further confirmation that we are in some kind of deserted encampment.

The characters costume is of high quality design and is wearing riding boots and breeches. This combined with the hat on the corner or the trunk, which is an Australian bush hat commonly used in the Outback strongly indicates that the character is on some sort of horseback journey through the wilderness.

Whilst the character is wearing good quality items, they are covered in dust and dirt and her hair is falling out of place, showing that the character has gone through some sort of physical ordeal, probably while she was riding as that seems to be a strong theme in the frame.

The lighting in this scene is really beautiful, with the backlight against the tree trunk is casting shadows over the scene, and the light that’s shining around the edges of the tree filtering through the dust particles in the air. This gives the frame quite an eerie atmosphere and the colours in the frame show sepia tones, helping to set the mood for the scene. The sepia also helps to indicate the time of when the film is set, which is 1939 and 1942.

The single figure is in the middle of the scene surrounded by the destroyed camp. Her body language is exhausted and defeated, as you can tell from her sagging shoulders and bowed head.