No Man's Land - Analysis

No Man's Land - Analysis

Sound and Music

    – military-style drumming accompanied by the sounds of war juxtaposed with the image of an innocent child walking alone on the field in opening scene introduces the theme of conflict between Rory's parents.
    – The lack of music in the scenes between Rory and his parents generates a subdued, somewhat strained atmosphere and conveys to the viewer that such is the nature of the relationship between the members of Rory's family
    – Rory imitating sounds of war while parents argue in background aids the visual metaphor on-screen as he plays with his toys: the occasional muffled sounds of gunshots and explosions aid the on-screen image that symbolises the conflict between his parents
    – Instrumental christmas carols playing in background while Rory and his father are buying a christmas tree give depth to the setting
    – Sorrowful cello music begins to play in the scene which introduces Naomi to the film, symbolising Rory's emotions towards the deteriorating state of relationship between his father and mother and his feelings towards Naomi: that she is replacing his mother.
    – The same sorrowful music is played as he walks in the 'no-man's land' between his mother's house and his father's and emphasises his loss and despair at seeing his parents arguing
    – Birds tweeting in the outdoor scenes give the setting a peaceful mood, juxtaposed with the indoor scenes where Rory's parents fight
    – Rory's laughter while they are playing soccer symbolises his temporary joy as he spends time with both his parents
    – Silent night playing during the soccer game emphasises this return of joy and aids the parallels drawn between the soccer match and christmas day of 1914 as the opposing sides (rory's mother and father) put aside their arguments for christmas - intertextuality
    – the same sounds of war from earlier as Rory's mother and father go back to arguing again aid the returning visual metaphor while Rory plays with his toy...