Homework 2

'What's virgin mean?’

This short film is set entirely in a kitchen, and is simply a conversation between a mother and her young daughter. The film starts by the young girl asking her mother the simple question of ‘what’s virgin mean?’. The obviously stunned mother beings to explain in the simplest form to the daughter about the meaning of what she thinks is a delicate question. After the explanation, the girl shocks her mother again, by asking ‘So...What does extra virgin mean?’.

Although this film was set all in one location it keeps the viewer entertained throughout. It does this through mainly through the well written narrative. It is written in a way which is extremely entertaining as we watch a mother very carefully choose her words to make her daughter understand, without going into too much detail. It keeps the viewer entertained as it is both humorous and well thought out, raising feelings of excitement as you watch the mother answer her daughter. The twist in the tale is also well hidden from the viewer throughout the film, making it both surprising and comical for the viewer.

Another thing that I liked a lot about this film was the way cinematography was used to enhance the narrative. The shots chosen helped to represent what the mother was saying. For example, when the mother is talking about the ‘explosion’ the shot is held at a close up of the mothers face as she ‘whisks’ faster and faster.  When the mother says ‘woosh’ it then cuts to a mid shot were the mother flicks her whisk out of the bowl, creating a suggestive picture for the viewer. This is shot choice is well executed and really makes for a hilarious viewing.

This simple short is extremely funny and well thought out. It does this through both the polished narrative and thought about cinematography.