Research into a war opening scene

For my research in to this genre post, I am looking in the here of war, and specifically tor film Dunkirk. Produced by Warner Bros Studios, this 2017 war film is written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the film depicts the Dunkirk Evaction from WW1. Starring Fion Whitehead, Harry Styles, Tom Glynn, Jack Lowden, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy. The film premiered on 13 July 2017 at Odeon Leicester Square in London. It was released in the United Kingdom and United States on 21 July in IMAX, 70 mm, and 35mm  formats. It is the highest-grossing World War II film, making $526 million worldwide. Dunkirk received praise for its screenplay, direction, musical score, sound effects, and cinematography; 

From this short opening sequence, we are told the location through the use of editing, the time period from the army, war costumes and the props such as guns, bombs and sandbags which are related to the war, the non diegetic sound throughout of war, all which clearly portray the genre of War. I can guess from this sequence that this film will discuss the protagonists experience in world war one. This character we have been introduced to, is portrayed as brave and intelligent as he is the only one who survives out of his friends, this implies that he is the focus of the film as he is the survivor throughout. 

Guessing from this opening scene, the narrative implies that this film provokes violence so I think that the target audience is older teenagers, but mostly adult audience, maybe a mix between older and younger audience. Perhaps it appeals to an older audience as they can relate to these times and are more familiar with them then young audience. 

War genre films usually  demonstrate how combat fighting (against nations or humankind) on land, sea, or in the air provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film. These often help to then portray key themes about humanity. War films are often infused with elements from other genres, such as action, adventure, drama, romance, dark comedy, suspense, and even epics and westerns. Many war films will reflect real-world events and recreate key moments from history, but equally they can portray imaginative and fictional events. This film is established as a war genre film through the key conventions, for example, there are normally a protagonist and an antagonist who are battling each other throughout the film.

This first scene opens in complete silence, the long establishing, tracking shot follows the soldiers as they explore this deserted street. The diegetic sound of letters and paper falling from the sky creates a peaceful environment which contrasts with the army uniform and their guns. Editing has been effectively used as the film opens with short pauses of writing, this is done to inform the audience of the location and short narrative. The over the shoulder shot of a local advertisement/news article informs the audience the time period and the setting of this film. Diegetic sounds of the soldiers gasping for water shows us the desperation and exhaustion they are facing, sudden sounds eg. The window slamming open keeps the audience on their feet, as the silence we hear is very suspenseful, as if a bomb is about to go off. This silence is shortly broken by a sudden, loud dietetic sound effect of gun shots. The tracking shot follows these soldiers while one by one they each get shot down, until we are following behind the last one standing as he scrambles for safety.  The hand held camera shots gives the audience the impression that we are almost there with this soldier as we feel shocked, and scared with him, this also creates a fast, action tone to the film. 

In conclusion, I think this opening scene perfectly sets a suspenseful feel to this film, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. The time period and information is clearly stated to inform the audience the time period and location, and also from which point of view this film is coming from. It also gives the audience a chance to establish which character is in focus of this film. This short sequence is griping and full of action, it also intrigues the audience to continue to watch more of the film.