English skills file
Listening Dossier: short movies
By: Anna Grootveld and Karin Engelen
Two Distant Strangers
(4) What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within
the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image?
In most movies and series, music is often used to enhance the emotions that the maker(s) is trying
to bring to the viewers. In this short movie, this is also the case. Most of the time, music is just in
between shots where nothing happens to keep the viewers engaged. For example, in the first
minute, the calm, quiet music is used to awaken feelings of curiosity. This way, the viewer is more
drawn to the image and setting. Later in the movie, it is pretty quiet. There is often no background
music during dialogue and/or other action. We do see music used in moments of stress and/or
hurry. Example: At 18:27, the main character ‘’Carter’’ gets in a rush to hide his clothes and other
possessions. In this part of the movie, music is played. The music in particular has a very fast
rhythm and a high BPM (beats per minute). This music enhances feelings of rush. When you are in
a rush, you do everything very fast. And the music is also very fast. Music is also used to enhance
feelings of happiness. For example, at 7:10, there is a calm, happy song playing. This is because the
main character feels a moment of relief; he has gotten home. As soon as the climax hits and the
relief is gone, the music stops abruptly. In the credit scene, the music is used in the same way as in
the beginning.
(11) What is the key moment in the story, the scene which brings illumination or
an ‘’ah-ha’’ moment?
The moment in the movie that really puts one and one together is at 7:09; here you realize the
main message of the movie. It is not just a movie about a young man being stuck in a loop. You
realize that it actually has a message to convey. After the police officer brings Carter home, you
expect everything to go well and the movie to end. Carter and the police officer even bonded in
the car, and everything was going great. But then the police officer starts clapping and kills him
anyway. This is not so much of an ‘’ah-ha’’ moment but more of a moment of questioning. Later,
we find this scene to be significant for the story the makers are trying to tell us. No matter how
nice you are or how hard you try, sadly, black people are stuck in a loop of getting killed, even
though they are sometimes innocent. This movie was made in reaction to the murder of George
Floyd. which is why in the credit scene we see a list of bad people sharing their stories of
interference with the police. Some got killed, and some got hurt. I think the credit scene is one of
the strongest throughout the whole scene. It really impacted me and helped me understand not
only the message of the movie but also the hurt and pain that black people feel in their daily lives.
Listening Dossier: short movies
By: Anna Grootveld and Karin Engelen
Two Distant Strangers
(4) What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within
the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image?
In most movies and series, music is often used to enhance the emotions that the maker(s) is trying
to bring to the viewers. In this short movie, this is also the case. Most of the time, music is just in
between shots where nothing happens to keep the viewers engaged. For example, in the first
minute, the calm, quiet music is used to awaken feelings of curiosity. This way, the viewer is more
drawn to the image and setting. Later in the movie, it is pretty quiet. There is often no background
music during dialogue and/or other action. We do see music used in moments of stress and/or
hurry. Example: At 18:27, the main character ‘’Carter’’ gets in a rush to hide his clothes and other
possessions. In this part of the movie, music is played. The music in particular has a very fast
rhythm and a high BPM (beats per minute). This music enhances feelings of rush. When you are in
a rush, you do everything very fast. And the music is also very fast. Music is also used to enhance
feelings of happiness. For example, at 7:10, there is a calm, happy song playing. This is because the
main character feels a moment of relief; he has gotten home. As soon as the climax hits and the
relief is gone, the music stops abruptly. In the credit scene, the music is used in the same way as in
the beginning.
(11) What is the key moment in the story, the scene which brings illumination or
an ‘’ah-ha’’ moment?
The moment in the movie that really puts one and one together is at 7:09; here you realize the
main message of the movie. It is not just a movie about a young man being stuck in a loop. You
realize that it actually has a message to convey. After the police officer brings Carter home, you
expect everything to go well and the movie to end. Carter and the police officer even bonded in
the car, and everything was going great. But then the police officer starts clapping and kills him
anyway. This is not so much of an ‘’ah-ha’’ moment but more of a moment of questioning. Later,
we find this scene to be significant for the story the makers are trying to tell us. No matter how
nice you are or how hard you try, sadly, black people are stuck in a loop of getting killed, even
though they are sometimes innocent. This movie was made in reaction to the murder of George
Floyd. which is why in the credit scene we see a list of bad people sharing their stories of
interference with the police. Some got killed, and some got hurt. I think the credit scene is one of
the strongest throughout the whole scene. It really impacted me and helped me understand not
only the message of the movie but also the hurt and pain that black people feel in their daily lives.
