Barthes Codes

Look at narrative link. Select a film opening of your choice and apply Barthes' 5 narrative codes.

Blade Runner

1.  Identify the key actions within the opening - what kinds of actions are included and how is the narrative moved forward?

To start with there is simply writing for the audience to read, then they key actions were of the city in the night time where buildings are alight. Some sort of space ship is seen flying out of it and more explosions are happening. An eye suddenly appears and then spotlights from out of the city. The camera then switches from a massive buildings to a man standing in a dark, misty room.

2.  Identify the enigma codes within the opening - what kinds of questions are posed and how is the audience meant to read these codes?

Questions such as; what is this about? What is this information im reading? What has it got to do with anything? Why are the buildings on fire? Could they possibly be being blown up? Why is there a spaceship? What is it doing? Where is it going? What has it done? Is there a war? What’s the eye doing? Whose eye is this? Are they in control of what’s happening? Why are they simply just watching? What are the two beaming lights? What building is this? Is it significant? Who’s inside? Who’s this man? Where is he? Is he trapped in the building?

3.  Identify key characters and think about what they represent in the opening

There is only one character shown and it is towards the end of the clip. He is simply standing in a dark room leaning on a chair with a moving fan. The room is misty and all of the objects are simply silhouettes. It represents nothing except form enigma and leaving the audience asking nothing but who is he and what is his purpose.

4. Interpret the cultural codes in the opening.  What kind of knowledge is being drawn on? Social/historical/political/art and culture etc.  Highlight the 3 most important references in the opening that help with audience understanding.

The cultural codes mainly being shown is the future. Firstly it says it is based in 2019 which firstly is ‘a big hint’ also the fact space ships are shown in it is another major hint for the film being set in the future.