The Virgin Suicides (Sofia Coppola, 1999)

Title cards efficiently communicate the film’s setting and main characters in this short, introductory scene. The classic use of freeze frames when introducing characters slows down the pacing of the sequence, providing time for a short description of each sister through the lens of a group of boys from their neighborhood. The mise en scène, such as cars, clothing, and lighting, also provide crucial context for the film’s narrative.

Keywords: editing, female, gender, lighting, mise-en-scene