TASK 2 "The Hedgehog" by Alexandra Tsareva

This is a Russian Short film based around the idea of childhood. The film was awarded in various film festivals, such as in the 'kinOmetr 2011" which is a all Russian film festival.

The film at the start makes little use of non diagetic sounds such as music tracks, it relies on the sounds of the room to build a calm atmosphere. In the opening shot we can see a man working on what looks like wooden toys or decorations. One of these happens to look like a hedgehog, which is also the title of the film. The table it is on is also wobbling, as a man is working on other wooden items, this could connote the dilemma which happens later in the film, caused by the hedgehog. The man is sitting hunched over. The only things that can be heard is the sound of the man working with wood and the crackling TV. As one of the first shots, this sets the tone for the film as a simple, slice of life film.

In the next shot, we see him go up to try fix his old tv set, which considering the film was made in 2011, makes it very out of date for modern technology. As well as this, it is the first major shot of the room, giving a claustrophobic feel to the setting. We can also tell it is set in a less affluent area. We can also see that the only source of lighting is the light coming from the window. This gives the film a very natural effect

Here we see a close up of the hedgehog, being held inside a hat. It has full focus on the hedgehog, as it is pivotal to the plot of the story. Also there is a slight high angle shot, from the perspective of the father, looking down at the child while trying to watch the TV. Though high angle shots of after used to make something seem weak, in this, due to the close up of the hedgehog, it somewhat breaks this and makes the father seem less powerful in this situation.

Here there is a close up as well as a over the shoulder shot to show the fathers anger through the eyes of the child. This somewhat levels out power, as even though the father is telling off the child, we still feel that he isn't in control of the situation. There is no sound but the two at this point, as the TV breaks, with leads on into the next scene.

In this scene are is more outdoor ambient sounds, such as a barking dog, and birds chirping. This adds to the more natural feel to this film, as there has yet to include any non diagetic sounds. The camera again is shot in a way to make the father seem less powerful, at the whim of the children.

In this scene there is a spy like music track playing while the father is climbing the wall, this helps build tension and also gives the scene a comical effect, as it exaggerates the situation, making it seem humourous to the audience. The music also reaffirms the light hearted nature of the film.

At the end of the film, there is somewhat of a montage as the family work together to build a small wooden house for the hedgehog. A light hearted song is playing in the background ends the film on a positive note. Many of the shots taken at the end include both the father and the son, this shows a love and connection between the two, as only at the end the father seems like a fatherly figure.