The Mise-en-Scene of 'Children of Men'

Enjoy it While it Lasts -- Written by Scott Larsen

The 2006 Dystopian Thriller Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, focuses on a futuristic world where for 18 years straight, not a single child has been born. The world has been plagued by an infertility epidemic. Overall it has a very gritty and realistic tone, with almost every aspect of the movie immersing you inside of it. We follow protagonist Theo on his journey to “save the world” and give freedom to a secretly pregnant girl trapped between political ideologies. The Mise-en-Scene woven throughout the film leaves the viewer with many things to ponder after watching the film.

The beaten streets of London

The location of the movie is a harsh and beaten United Kingdom. The U.K. remains as the only stable government in this world torn apart. This may sound all fine and dandy as the film originally has you believe, but the opening scene flips that idea on its head. The usage of media coverage is present right out the gate as we follow Theo trying to order coffee while the patrons are reacting to the youngest person on earth’s tragic death. Instantly we are shown how hopeless things feel for the citizens in this dirty grey and dull coffee shop. To make matters worse constant chaos is happening in the streets. As Theo leaves the coffee shop we are shown how different London is compared to our lenses. Things seem all good for Theo as he tries to head to work when suddenly an explosion destroys the coffee shop and the streetside, as the block is sent into a panic. The location of this seemingly innocent coffee shop was a target of a much greater terrorist attack. Later in the film, our characters are in the forest morning the loss of a fellow companion, Julian. Now we have been shown time and time again that Theo is not one to show emotion. But once he is out in the great outdoors he seems to be more open to at least allowing himself to feel some emotions. This contrasts with his time in the dirty dull city where he looks rather pensive and reserved. This contrast in settings can be seen as a message from the filmmakers. The freedom of the great outdoors is where man was meant to be not locked away in cubicles during a harsh workday.

Theo (played by Clive Owen) and Kee (played by Clare-Hope Ashitey) emerge from the rubble while holding the first newborn baby in 18 years

Another aspect of the movie that helps create meaning is the costumes each character wears. Rather than have distinct and unique clothing on our characters everyone mostly wears normal urban, flat and colorless garments. The audience’s attention is split between each character rather than focused on one. This can be seen as a way to show that sometimes we must think of everyone else rather than our individuality. The dull colors of the clothing also reflect the realistic tone and setting the film is presenting. The world crafted here does seem like a real scenario that could happen and not complete science fiction. The simplicity of the character’s costumes helps to pull the viewer in. Kee, however, is the exception. Kee is the only hope for humanity and her costuming reflects this. She wears rather bright colors as if she is a beacon of hope. Her costuming could also be seen as an illusion to the Virgin Mary who is often depicted in a blue cloak. This comparison is rather subtly but once you catch on to it Kee is similar to the Virgin Mary in more ways than costuming.

Theo (Clive Owen) sitting in a forest that shows off the film's naturalistic lighting

While I am sure that there was some form of professional lighting used for the filming of the movie, the technique they used made most of the lighting seem very natural. While exploring the outdoors the characters are not bathed in light and are given room to breathe. The dark and narrow feeling of the internment camp’s buildings where the sun gleams through in glimpses. This continues to further the film’s realistic and gritty tone. At the very end of the film, our characters are on a boat covered in fog out in the open of the sea as they wait for a ship to save them. The scene is filled with tension as well as a relief as Kee and Theo make it to the ship. The fog helps sell the unknown present in this scene. Did they make it in time? Is Theo going to be alright? The film is ultimately left open to interpretation, just like the fog.

Overall the filmmakers of Children of Men managed to use many aspects of Mise-en-scene to pull the viewer into the world of the film. The film can draw you to conclusions that itself is not presenting like the imagery of the Virgin Mary. With its open ending as well the movie leaves you on a positive note with many things to think about when the conclusion arrives.