'Murderer's House' - University of Victoria

image visually separates the running soldiers and the mother and daughter, as if to divide
them into two distinct categories; powerful male warriors of a conquering army and
vulnerable female civilians of a conquered population.
The camera continues to pan behind the pillar so that, for a moment, Lene and
Anna are hidden behind the pillar and the viewer can only see the soldiers running in the
direction of mother and daughter. This shot composition increases the feeling of tension
in the viewer as he/she loses sight of Lene and Anna for an instant while seeing the
aggressors moving in their direction, and thus becomes increasingly alarmed for the fate
of mother and daughter. The camera moves past the pillar, and, in a long shot shows
Lene and Anna walking hurriedly in a right to left direction while the soldiers run
towards them. The camera zooms in very slowly as the soldiers run up to Lene and
position themselves on either side of her and Anna, walking along with them for a few
paces. The taller, stronger soldier, who is positioned closer to the camera, holds onto
Lene‟s arm, while the other grabs hold of her rucksack. The camera continues to slowly
zoom into a medium shot that shows the soldier closer to the viewer holding his bottle up
to Lene‟s face and saying, “Hey, how about some wine. C‟mon” (Deutschland, bleiche
Mutter n. pag.). Lene does not acknowledge him but continues forward looking at the
ground. The same soldier complains in an angry voice, “Hey, look, you don‟t have to
snub me like that” (Deutschland, bleiche Mutter n. pag.). At this point, the soldier throws
his bottle to the ground where it shatters loudly. Next, the larger soldier grasps Lene‟s
hand and rapidly pulls her downwards while the second soldier pushes her from behind.
In a panicked voice, Lene screams “Anna!” (Deutschland, bleiche Mutter n. pag.). The
camera moves rapidly downward, showing the larger soldier falling backwards onto the
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