MISE-EN-SCENE

Analyzing Hand Maid's Tale for MISE-EN-SCENE

I decided to comment on the Mise-en-scene of the show The Handmaid's Tale. This show is  a great example when needing to identify the elements of mise-en-scene because the show, despite taking place in the future, is seemingly dated and period themed. The main character, June, is very good at helping contribute to the overall emotion or mood of the show by her actions, and showing the actions of others in response to hers. I would highly recommend this show because despite it being an extreme situation, it may not be far off from what women in America used to have to face. I think the elements analyzed below are a perfect indicator as to why the show is so successful and popular among teens and adults today.

Space:

Frontality:

I believe the space can often times be associated with frontality, or frontal space. This is because throughout Handmaid's Tail, June (Offred/ Ofjoseph) will look directly into the camera as if she is staring into the souls of the audience. often times her thoughts will be posed as if she is speaking to an audience too. For example, in this scene, she is thinking about her daughter. This scene then drifts into a flashback of her and her daughter spending time together. This is her version of direct address to the audience, which allows viewers to sympathize and have a better understanding of what June is going through emotionally.  

Lighting:

Low Key Lighting:
Most of the scenes in the show are shots of either low key lighting or three-point lighting. This is to help set the overall mood that Gilead is a dark and dreadful place to be. When referencing Little america in Canada, the lighting shifts to be more high key, and brighter, with a more freeing mood. However, when the Colonies are displayed, very low key and dreary lighting is displayed upon the scenes. The colonies are filled with death and destruction, so this lighting style definitely fits the essence of the colonies. In the birth scenes, a mix of three point (normal) and low key lighting can be seen depending on if the birth is successful or if it is a miscarriage. Analyzing the changing lighting styles throughout each scene helps the viewer better understand the connotation of the film.

Costume:

Period Themed:

Costume is traditional wear that might have been seen on women in more religiously affiliated, traditional times like the early 1800s. America used to have much more tradition and gender rolls at that time. Women would be at home, cleaning, cooking, bearing and tending to children. Men on the other hand, would work and generate income for the family. Consequently, traditional america meant that mean were often better educated and had absolute financial power over the family. They held office, and pretty much any position of authority over women. Religion was also still very deeply rooted in the values of america's past, so women wore "modest" clothing that covered their skin and kept them from allowing men to sin. The handmaid's even had to wear what they called "wings" which were essentially blinders so they would not stray their vision from the task ahead of them.  The Wives in the show, like Serena Joy or Mrs. Putnam, must also wear modest clothing but to the less extreme because they held somewhat more power then the handmaids in that they can exploit both handmaids and Martha's, but they still had to dress very modestly, as depicted in the pictures above.

Setting:

Setting and Mood:

The setting creates a sense of place by displaying a version of America that is far in the future, but less technologically advanced than today's society. The founders of Gilead (new america) wanted many other factors of technology, dating, and even love, to be eliminated in the new country. They wanted to reroute citizen's values to be with the Bible, even if women would;d get their hands cut off for reading it.  This being said, much of the former america was left un-kept or deteriorated, and sometimes even demolished. Many of the abandoned towns had "rebels" hanging in the buildings, as pictured above, because this is Gilead's ultimate form of punishment. The middle picture is of the colonies, which is a place for people who can't bear children, would not be deemed fit to be a wife or Martha, or have sinned go. Here, the setting is very dangerous because they shovel toxic waste all day and are put in concentration camp like conditions. The first picture is of the main character, June, locked behind the bars of her assigned house. This adds to the setting because hand maid's are un-allowed to leave their houses unless granted permission by a man, mainly their Commander.All of these different settings contribute to a dreary and bleak mood. The themes of imprisonment, torture, and corruption can be easily viewed through the producer's depiction of setting throughout the show. it created empathy for the characters who want to escape to Canada to hold a better, more American life again.