'Murderer's House' - University of Victoria
'Murderer's House' - University of Victoria
'Murderer's House' - University of Victoria
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ground, Lene tumbling on top <strong>of</strong> him, and the second soldier pushing himself onto Lene.<br />
The viewer hears the <strong>of</strong>f-screen voice <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the American soldiers grumbling, “Nazi<br />
bitch!” (Deutschland, bleiche Mutter n. pag.). The rapid camera movement, the blurred<br />
image, and the terrified scream evoke in the viewer Lene‟s feelings <strong>of</strong> panic. Through<br />
his derogatory name-calling, the soldier dehumanizes Lene, making it easier for him to<br />
justify to himself the act <strong>of</strong> sexual violence he and his fellow GI will commit against her.<br />
Next, the camera swoops quickly upwards from Lene and the soldiers to a close-<br />
up shot <strong>of</strong> Anna‟s feet, and then to another low-angle close-up shot <strong>of</strong> her upper-body.<br />
The camera then zooms into a low-angle close-up shot <strong>of</strong> Anna‟s face. The camera does<br />
not show the rape itself, but instead depicts mother and daughter keeping eye contact.<br />
First, the camera focuses on Anna‟s face for approximately 20 seconds, showing the child<br />
witnessing the rape <strong>of</strong> her mother without disclosing any visible emotional reaction.<br />
Simultaneously, the viewer hears the <strong>of</strong>f-screen grunting and groaning <strong>of</strong> the American<br />
GIs. The indirect presentation <strong>of</strong> the rape intensifies rather than decreases the emotional<br />
effect, as the viewer imagines what Anna witnesses (Smith 242). Moreover, the low-<br />
angle <strong>of</strong> the camera angle in this scene appears to be from the point <strong>of</strong> view <strong>of</strong> Lene, who<br />
is lying on the ground. This perspective underscores Lene‟s overriding concern for her<br />
daughter‟s well-being, which she maintains even while being sexually assaulted.<br />
Next, the camera cuts to a high-angle extreme close-up shot <strong>of</strong> Lene‟s face. Her<br />
eyes are closed, her nostrils are flared and her lips are pursed in an expression <strong>of</strong> disgust.<br />
Fluttering her eyelids, she slowly opens her eyes, and turns her head to the right <strong>of</strong> the<br />
screen. The extremely high angle <strong>of</strong> this shot seems to be from the perspective <strong>of</strong> Anna,<br />
who is standing above her mother. This point <strong>of</strong> view again emphasizes the strong<br />
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