Week 5: Genre Research (3)
The first two minutes of Waves (2019), directed by Trey Edward Shults, set up a tense atmosphere that introduces the complex relationships within the family at the center of the story. While there’s no physical violence in the opening, the way the characters interact hints at the emotional and psychological abuse that will unfold later in the film. The way the camera focuses on the characters, the sound design, and the tension in the father-son relationship all help set the stage for how domestic violence will be represented throughout the movie. From the very start, the cinematography in Waves grabs your attention. The camera stays close to Tyler, the film’s main character, and shows his tense expressions. It’s clear that he’s uncomfortable, but it’s not immediately obvious why. The shot lingers on his face, emphasizing the stress he’s feeling, and as the camera follows him through his interactions with his father, you start to see the ...