The Use of Focus in Citizen Kane
The use of focus in the film Citizen
Kane, is one of the most important techniques in the production of
the film. The type of focus in each scene and shot are not only important for
the look of the scene, but the importance and significances of people and objects.
In the beginning of the film, there is a very important scene that uses deep
focus. When Charles’ parents are discussing his future inside, young Charles is
playing outside with his sled, still in focus. In addition to Charles being in
focus, the window we can see him through is also placed in a way that makes
Charles apart of the circle of the conversation. The combination of the hard
focus and the placement of the window show how although the conversation
involves Charles, he is not involved in it. He has no say in the plan for his
future, as his parents build his life for him. The deep focus in this scene
plays an important part in the movie as a whole because it highlights the
importance of the sled (rosebud). He is in focus because that is his last
moment of being a happy, innocent kid. The conversation that his parents are
having is also in focus because their decisions are what will change that will
change the type of life he is living through the window forever. Another observation I had was that when
his wife had a drug overdose, and was laying in her bed, he was in focus, but
she wasn’t. This symbolized how even though she is the one who is the most important
in this scene, it is not her that is important, it is what her suffering will
do to Charles. Her suffering affects him because she was a project for him, as
he constantly pushed her to sing for his pleasure. Now that she became ill, he
can no longer have that pleasure and satisfaction.
I completely agree that focus was very important in the film in representing the mood. The two examples you used were significant symbols that resulted in a better understanding of what rosebud was at the end of the film. Another scene that used focus was when Mr. Kane was holding the snow globe in the room trashing scene when the deep focus magnified the mood of the character and set up the next scene. Focus was a major part of the film Citizen Kane. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a lot of good points about not only the Director's technical use of focus, but also how he was able to translate this into significant contributions to the story. I agree that the director's use of hard focus in the scene where Charles' Parents are discussing his future created a much more immersive environment where viewers felt that they too were in the room.
ReplyDeleteGood job Rem!