Motifs In Films

Motifs In Films

A motif is any recurring element that has symbolic reference within a story. Through its repetition, a motif can help produce aspects such as themes of moods within the film. They are used as a key concept within films to enhance the viewing experience for the audience and to induce the idea of narrative enigma.

Various films have different numbers of motifs within the duration of the film. For example, in the film ‘The Great Gatsby’ directed by Baz Luhrmann (2013), the motif of the destruction of cars is used to foreshadow an iconic point within the film. With the film being set within the 1920’s, the story is set around the idea of the American dream and people trying to gain wealth, status and live a lavish lifestyle. By cars being seen as a sense of wealth and newfound freedom, it could suggest that the destruction of these vehicles is caused by the wealthy and how they can corrupt other peoples lives. The film has some mystery aspects of its genre due to the enigmatic character of Gatsby. His character is responsible for various motifs within the film such as his extravagant parties, the ‘green light’ and cars. The motif of parties allows the audience discover the themes of prosperity and how it can be used to please people. The motif of the ‘green light’ could be seen as significant as the audience are aware that Gatsby is trying to grab the light, however it is out of his reach and is impossible to get. The light could be a symbol for the character of Daisy and his desire for her, but the unachievable task he pursues into to trying to get her, which inevitably ends in a tragedy.

(The Great Gatsby Film Poster)

Another film that uses motifs is ‘Schindler’s List’ directed by Steven Spielberg (1993). The main motif used within the film is the use of lists, emphasised by the name of the film. Being set around the time of world war two in Germany, the first list shown is the names of various Jews being sorted into those who are useful and those who are not. The progression of lists further within the film turns into the list of Jews who are to be killed and who work. The final list shown is the names of Jews on Schindler’s list that are sent to work in his factory and saved from being killed in concentration camps. The motif of lists could be used to show how Jews had been categorised like robots that are sent to their deaths or to work in gruelling conditions. Schindler’s list is almost a breakthrough in the fate of the Jews as it is the first time there is a spark of hope for staying alive. Another motif used within the film is death that is expressed throughout the film. Within various shots, the Jews had been shot in the head and blood flows onto the snow around them. The image of flowing blood could be used to show the physical and metaphorical lifeblood being bled out of the Jewish race. The motif of trains is also used to show the endless cycle of death and how Jews can be tricked into hope. Near the end of the film, Schindler asks to spray water into the carriage, where Goeth tells him not to give false hope, giving the clear implication that the trains are used to deliver the Jews to their deaths.

(Schindler's List Film Poster)

By analysing the motifs used within films of a similar genre, our group can adopt a motif that can be used within the opening sequence, which can enhance the viewing experience for the audience. This technique can be used effectively to display narrative enigma and emphasise the genre of the film we had chosen: thriller/mystery. Some examples our group could use within the genre could be the repetition of the colour black or red. These colours give different connotations, such as black meaning death, mystery and tragedy with red meaning blood, danger and anger. Another motif that could potentially be used is the use of a diary used by the main character of the film. This could show the progression of his schemes and his developing emotions throughout the course of the film. This could create tension and be interesting for the audience as it builds narrative enigma.