REQUIEM FOR A DREAM OPENING 

Requiem for a Dream, 2000, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a coming of age drama including many philosophical themes.  This film focuses hugely on the reflection of addiction. Aronofsky uses visuals and aesthetics as a portrayal of the urge and obsession some may require. The film is not about drug use - but about the addiction and societal needs some cannot function without. 



This title sequence is effective in the sense that it foreshadows the brutality and destructive nature prevalent within the film. The sequence starts with a woman on the phone, as she says "in the end its all nice" - this air of positivity is immediately destroyed with the title 'Requiem for a Dream' falling down on the screen; the diegetic sound of a jail cell door closing makes us aware that the statement the woman made is far from the truth. This sound effect overwhelms us with a sense of isolation and entrapment within the characters and possibly their addictions; it may also establish that actions have consequences which may again foreshadow a situation later on in the film. The theme of entrapment is parallel to the title 'Requiem for a Dream'. It depicts the fact that their dreams are unfeasible and will not be reached due to their actions; as an audience we are aware that this makes the characters inevitably doomed from the moment we are introduced to them. As the title appears on the screen in white writing it hastily begins to decay, emphasising the the destructive and hopeless nature of the film. This is also presented as the music begins at a slow pace then dramatically builds up into an orchestral piece, enhancing the climatic atmosphere of the film. 

Immediately after the title evaporates, so does the non diegetic sound, and we are greeted by two characters and a tv is a run down, desolate apartment building. By their physical appearance, and the mannerism of the location - we can depict the film will explore the life of working class youths. We are introduced to the TV the same time we meet the characters, proving this has or in the future may have some value towards them - conveying the sense of a lack of possessions in these teenagers' lives. The tracking shot of the two guys moving the TV allows the audience to feel in some way connected to the characters as it creates a sense of a documentary in some way. 

At 1:30, we are faced with a low-angle shot and a lens flare from the sun and also the general location with a ferris wheel creates a sense of serenity contradicting the dramatic violins playing in the background. The ferris wheel also emphasises the fact that these characters still have youth in them and are not adults in some way or another. Their gratified facial expressions convey a sense of positivity and happiness within the characters; but as an audience we know that they are inevitably doomed, so we are enthralled to carrying on watching to find out why. 

The music is extremely effective in enslaving us as an audience as its colossal and tense dramatic nature builds up whole heartedly, yet never reaches a final ultimatum. According to direction Jean Jacquess Beineix, it is important to wait and 'future' the excitement throughout the film than an 'instant arousal'. He states that you should let the desire grow and then the satisfaction will appear. I believe that this music is a perfect example of that. It sets a dark and dreary mood in preparation for the film's plot. As we believe we are getting closer and closer to the climax of the scene our sense of hope is instantaneously obliterated with the text 'SUMMER' falling down on the screen along with the same jail door sound effect. This creates a sense that as an audience we had some kind of expectation due to the music, however it was shut down; this may be parallel to the characters dreams and expectations throughout the film. There is also a contrast in the text and sound effect. This is since we associate 'summer' with liberation, especially with youths/young adults as it means less work and no education; however that is juxtaposed to the cell door shutting - overpowering the sense of freedom with entrapment once again.

ORDER OF CREDITS:

1)REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

2)ELLEN BURSTYN

3)JARED LETO

4)JENNIFER CONNELLY

5)MARLON WAYANS

6)CASTING BY MARY VERNIEU, ANNIE MCCARTHY, ANN GOULDER

7)EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, NICK WESHLER, BEAU FLYNN, STEFAN SIMCHOWITZ

8)CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BEN BARENHOLTZ

9)LINE PRODUCER ANNE RUARK

10)CO-PRODUCERS, RANDY SIMON, JONAH SMITH, SCOTT VOGEL, SCOTT FRANKLIN

11)ORIGINAL SCORE BY CLINT MANSELL

12)WITH STRING QUARTETS PERFORMED BY KRONOS QUARTET

13)COSTUME DESIGNER LAURA JEAN SHANNON

14)PRODUCTION DESIGNER JAMES CHINLUND

15)EDITED BY JAY RABANOWITZ, A.C.E.

16)DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW LIBATIQUE

17)BASED ON THE BOOK BY HUBERT SELBY JR

18)SCREENPLAY BY HUBERT SELBY JR AND DARREN ARONOFSKY

19)PRODUCED BY ERIC WATSON AND PALMER WEST

20)DIRECTED BY DARREN ARONOFSKY

21)'SUMMER'