First 10 minutes of Django Unchained (2012)|Opening Scene | Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx

Description

In the opening sequence of this film, it establishes setting, genre and ideology. The first shot the audience see in the sequence is an establishing shot of an isolated desert full of rocks and dry land. Along with the non-diegetic sound- which is part of the film's soundtrack. 'Django' produced by Luis Bacalov and Rocky Roberts. The music is very old western, this is suggesting to the audience that the film may be set in the old - western times, this is supported by the establishing shots of the secluded desert. The credits are being super imposed over the top of the film.
The next significant part of the sequence is when the first characters walk onto the scene. This is followed by the camera using a tracking shot. There are six black men that the camera is following, who seem to be chained to one another walking in single file with two white men on horseback at the front and back. The audience can clearly see from the connotations that these men walking seem to be slaves. These inferences are concluded when the mid-shot of one of the slaves' back is scared and marked, which shows the audience that he has been whipped. The same medium close-up shot of the whipped character shows other the 8characters in the same situation in the foreground. Also, in the foreground you can vaguely see more in depth detail about the location which these characters are in, (a western desert) a stereotypical way of opening a western genre film. The marks and bruising makes us sympathize with the slaves and suggests that one of these slaves are the potential protagonist. Contrasting this, the antagonists seem to be the men on horseback, in this particular scene.
The mise-en-scene is very significant in this opening sequence. Specific costume design and decisions explore the hierarchy between characters- within the first three minutes. A quick cut shows a close up shot of the slave's feet. The props used are the chains around the slave's feet. This frame refers to the title of the film 'Django Unchained', suggesting that one or many slaves become 'Unchained'. Furthermore, the slaves are wearing rags that only cover their lower body. Whereas the men on the horses are fully covered up and comfortable showing that they are superior to the slaves. There is a close-up shot of one of the slaves, which suggests he will be the protagonist. On the assumption that he is a slave and the protagonist, the ideology is that we are siding with the underdog, giving it the classic fairytale story feeling. Also, the scenery as they're walking through (deserts and forests) suggests that they poorly treated- as slaves were.

Also, the whole opening sequence are the slaves trekking through rough terrain, which shows they are physically and emotionally worn out. Which highlights their insignificant purpose to society.
Then an establishing shot of a change in location, which shows parallel editing of a change in time. This is followed by a wide shot using parallel editing again, which again is use to show a change in time on their journey and location, this is also shown through the different lighting. Throughout the opening scene, low-key lighting and higher-key lighting is used. At the beginning of the scene- when the scene was located in the desert, high-key lighting was used alongside with sepia, brown, and yellow tones which emphasizes the heat and draught of the desert. However, later in the forest, low-key lighting is used which indicates that it is the evening, but also creates an eary atmosphere that something or someone may approach.
This opening scene establishes the genre very clearly. This is due to the position of power between the slaves and the white men on horseback in the scene. This emphasises to the audience that there is going to be some cultural and racial issues addressed in this film.

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