Once upon a time in America
Cultural signifiers The opening scene enters with the diegetic sound of “god bless America” sung by a female voice, this instantly associates the film to America, this also automatically suggests that the location of the film is in America. I think this is a very clever technique as it is played at the very beginning of the film, the first sound that is heard by the audience, but also how the title of the film also reflects on the theme of America, Making the location seem highly important and significant a cultural signifier to the audience and the film. Similarly the award winning film “the Deer Hunter” also uses the same song however during the end of the film to make the audience reflect and become aware of the key relationship to America, but also to summarise the film in an emotional way. The fact that the characters talk with a strong American accent is another signifier.
Characters/ costumes
Sergio Leone opens the scene with a typical female feltale, which is traditionally associated with film noir thriller. This image reinforces this archetype through his choice of the character Eve, she wears a special set of a pearl necklace & earrings, which stands out to the audience straight away because of the dark mysterious lighting. Pearls symbolise tears therefore suggests that something bad has or will happen to her. The name “Eve” its self is a typical female name which has an association with stereotypical role of a women because of the connection to the name from Adam & eve. This also backs up the idea of female fetale & noire films because women around this era has very little power and were viewed to stay at home cooking and cleaning. The formal typical 1960’s blacks suits which the three hit men wear, trilby hats, and long coats makes the three men look as if they know what they are doing and are sophisticated, the costumes fit the film noire genre.
Lighting
The begging of the shot features eve appearing from the side of the room, which is pitch black, the female figure emerges from the side instantly giving the impression to the audience that she’s vulnerable and perhaps slightly on edge about something because of the darkness presented within the shot. As eve then enters the room a wide shot is taken so the audience can view and establish the location and costume of eve. The location is a typical 1960’s apartment, which is empty and abounded, this again instantly makes the viewer’s curious and want to ask questions. When eve then goes over to the mustard coloured lamp, close up shots are taken I believe this is so the audience realise the connection between the lamp and eve as the lamp is the same mustard colour as what eve is wearing, this almost creates a reassemble between the object and character.
Especially how turning on the lamp is the first movement that eve does this resembles that eve is alive, because of the vast shape and size of the lamp and the bold projection of light. When the three hit men come the finale shot of the scene is the lamp being turned off, after they shot Eve, when the lamp is turned off it then resembles the death of eve , as the room is back to being dark and mysterious. Alternatively the same empty, mysterious atmosphere is achieved from the begging and end of the scene to reflect the event, drawing it to a close but also so the same feeling how the audience are still unaware and curious of the events happened/ happening.
Camera Action • The fact the three of them are men as well adds to their authority because of the era of the film set. The shot is perfectly located under the wide arc within the room, this frames the shot, again making it clear who establishes the power. This shot also makes the location look claustrophobic and atmospheric. The fact the men are behind the arc make it look like they are mysterious and are almost hiding from someone. How they surround Eve makes her look vulnerable and targeted.(1) Once they shot Eve the camera angle is the same however eve is lying dead on the bed, this makes the men look as if they own and gain power. (2) (1)
(2)
Camera shots X2 This shot is used in the next scene when the noddle's goes to shot another man, the complex twisted worms eye view, allows the audience to see the perspective from the man on the floor, this is a very clever idea as it again instantly shows the authority and power of the character to the audience, making the man on the floor look weak and vulnerable.