The Danish Girl

Film Trailer Analysis

Main technique
used: Colour
One of the first key scenes in the trailer is a wide shot
shown through an L cut as the viewer hears
Meanwhile, non diegetic music that is made up of the
piano and violin plays softly in the background to give
the scene more romantic connotations. As well as this,
the bright natural lighting adds to the impression the
reader has that this film will be cheerful and follow a
happy storyline. The use of colour here is also
particularly interesting, as , despite all the signs that
this is a pleasant scene, the setting seems washed out
and grey. This could suggest that although that
something is missing from the life of one of the
characters, since this would appear to be a very
satisfying life to the viewer. Two specific colours that
stand out are that of white and blue on the two
protagonists clothing. The white could be seen to have
connotation of purity and innocence here, with the
blue connoting intelligence and faith. However, the
blue could also connote possible sadness or depression
that would come to clash with the pure, innocent love
shown between the two main characters.
Main technique
used: Light
The next scene shows the first signs of
foreshadowing, as the protagonist is seen in a
mid to close up shot, in focus in the
background, looking through white appears
to be an item of clothing with ruffles. The use
of dim lighting here is also interesting as it
makes the ruffles appear brighter and more
appealing. This is another example of
foreshadowing as it suggests how the
characters life may be enhanced somehow in
the future. This scene, like the last one, was
also shown through the use of an L cut as the
viewer hears
As well as this, non diegetic music can be
heard that consists of a piano and violin,
continuing with a soft, and overall romantic
theme.
Main technique
used: Extreme close
ups
This scene begins with a close up of the
protagonists face to show the facial expression
of sudden shock and confusion. Next, a series of
extreme close up shots are used as the
protagonist moves his hand over the material
slowly. Finally, another close up shot of the face
in shown to allow the viewer to see some faint
happiness and understanding. In the midst of
this, a non diegetic composition of slow piano
and violin plays in the background. The piano
stands out more as it slows down, imitating the
slowing of a heartbeat as the protagonist finds
comfort from placing her hands over the dress.
The natural lighting in the shots allows for the
viewer to see everything clearly, while also
casting shadows for more drama. The colours
chosen are all dim aside from the dress. This is
so that the dress stands out and it is clear why
the mood of the trailer has quickly changed.
Main technique
used: Tracking shot
Next, a tracking shot is used to show the two
protagonists making their way down a very long
row of clothing. The next two shots use the 180
degree rule as two tracking mid shots are able to
quickly show the viewer how happy the pair are
as the look through the clothing. This is also
showcased by the first shot including the
character spinning whilst holding a dress, as well
as the second shot showing the character
running his hands over the clothing. Dim lighting
is used throughout all of the shots to give more
attention to any bright colours that may stand
out. One important thing to note about this is
that at the moment, the male protagonist seems
to be more difficult to see as he almost blends
into the background. This could be seen as
foreshadowing for his character not yet being
comfortable. Non diegetic music that includes
the violin and cello plays in the background and
is fast paced to show the growing excitement as
the trailer progresses.
Main technique
used: Lighting
One rather key moment is the use of a wide shot
depicting the protagonists walk toward some
sort of event. The pair are in the background,
but the camera is focused on them. One
particularly important aspect of this shot is the
use of lighting. There is dim, natural lighting but
also a bright light that is casting light onto the
main characters. As the pair are seen to be
moving towards the light, this could be seen as a
possible metaphor for the characters moving
towards a brighter future, one that is better for
the both of them. However, the extras dressed
all in black that are covering them from the
viewers perspective could be seen as
representing a more tragic ending as the colour
black connotes evil and death. While this is
happening, non diegetic music of a violin and
cello is play at an extremely fast pace. This aims
to show the anticipation and excitement that
the characters are feeling from going to the
event.
Main technique
used: L cut
Another important moment in the trailer was a
mid to close up shot that showed Lili in what
appears to be a mirror so that the viewer may
see her from two angles at once. Through this,
the viewer gets to clearly see and appreciate the
final transformation. The bright, natural lighting
makes it easy to see her fully. The colours used
are primarily light and soft as not to draw away
from the characters appearance. The use of a
white dress and white flowers being behind Lili
connotes purity and innocence. In contrast to
this, the pink flower and red lipstick could
connote the growing sexuality and freedom of
expression that Lili is finding, as well as her
femininity. This could in part even be due to
aspects such as the use of lipstick in the first
place. An L cut is used here as another guest is
heard saying youre exquisite about Lili. This,
coupled with the on screen image aims to make
the viewer see the beauty in Lilis
transformation. The final point is that of the non
diegetic music that continues to play, adding to
the overall elegance of the scene with the violin
and cello.
Main technique
used: Lighting
The next shot is an establishing shot with dim
lighting and a room that is primarily full of black
and white. This is key because it means that Lili
stands out from the crowd significantly and that
the room is full of connotations of the struggle
between good and evil. This suggest that there is
a struggle for Lili or there will be in the future
between deciding whether she has to do
something that would have been seen as evil.
The next scene is a mid shot of a young male
who also seems to adhere to the black and
white colour theory as the viewer assumes he is
looking at Lili. Since Lili is married still, this could
represent part of the struggle she will come to
face. During these two shots, non diegetic music
that consists of a violin and cello is used. At first,
the composition plays at a fast pace, but it does
continue to pick up speed and volume as the
scenes continue.
Main technique
used: Graphic match
The next scene includes a graphic match of two close
up shots of Lili and uses a fade transition in-between
the two shots. All of these choices are so the viewer
continues to keep in mind that Lili is transitioning into a
female. The director also chose to put Lili next to a
painting of herself in the second shot to drive the point
even further of her growing femininity as the plot
progresses. One interesting observation is that in the
first scene, where Lili is still looking slightly more
masculine, the lighting is dimmer and there are dull
colours such as grey and black used in the costume. In
direct juxtaposition to this, however, the second shot
shows a naturally lit room with bright colours such as
pink and yellow that have far more positive and
cheerful connotations. This suggests the idea that Lili is
happier and more of herself when dressed in the most
feminine way possible. Finally, the choice of a close up
shot allows for the viewer to see Lilis facial expression
better. Her expression in both is similar however-
downcast. This could present the idea that although
she is happier dressing as a woman, she is still
struggling mentally to cope with not actually being
recognised as one.
Main technique
used: Dialogue
The first wide shot in this section has a lot of impact on
the viewer as it shows the two protagonists together in
an emotional situation. The dim lighting used here
represents the darkness that has taken over their lives
somewhat because of Lilis struggle with her gender.
The next two mid to close up shots are also helpful to
the viewer as it aims to show that both characters are
experiencing a set of complex emotions. This is further
prove by the diegetic dialogue as Gerda asks Lili are
you alright?, to which she softly replies no. These
words, although simplistic, convey how difficult life is
for the pair, and how Lili cannot easily express her
emotions. This is also shown through her crying. The
choice of colour in all of these shots is key as both girls
are dressed in blue whilst in a white room. The blue
has connotations of loneliness, desperation and
sadness, showing the emotions of the protagonists.
The white room gives connotations of innocence and
shows how neither of the girls are anything but good
and pure individuals. Finally, non diegetic music that is
played on the piano can be heard slowly- representing
how the two characters must slowly readjust while also
adding to the drama.
Main technique
used: Wide shot
The next important wide shot shows the two
girls holding hands on a balcony looking out at a
view of the country. The bright natural lighting
gives the distinct impression that things may be
improving at this point in the plot, especially
when combined with the light colours, especially
that of green in all the shrubbery. This connotes
new life and safety, suggesting the Lili may have
been able to live out her life more as a woman
and feel secure in doing so. The colour white is
also still prominent on both girls, continuing
with the narrative that both women are kind
and good individuals who are going through a
difficult time. The focus of the camera is in the
foreground here, giving all the attention to the
girls and their relationship whilst also going
against Laura Mulveys theory of the male gaze,
since neither are sexualised for the male viewer.
Non diegetic music plays in the background and
begins to build up dramatically, including drums,
a piano and a violin to show the trouble brewing
and also make the viewer progressively more
and more excited.
Main technique
used: Colour
A wide shot is used of the character of Lili while
presenting as male before cutting swiftly to a close up
shot is used of her presenting as female. There is a
stark difference between the two shots. The first main
difference is that of colour. In the first shot, Lili is
wearing and is surrounded by only black and white.
This suggests both an internal struggle as well as the
idea that her life was lacking something. In contrast to
this, the close up shot displays far brighter colours and
also uses warmer lighting in order to represent how
much brighter and happier Lilis life is when presenting
as a woman. The use of a quick cut is done specifically
to show the viewer that this is most definitely the
same individual, as well as perhaps insinuating that
this should have been an easy decision because of how
much better Lilis life would be as a woman. The use of
a close up is also able to show Lilis more satisfied facial
expression, as apposed to the wistful stare in the first
shot. The non diegetic music that is used is made up of
the drums, a piano and a violin, increasing the
dramatic tension and continuing to build it up.
 Main technique
used: Colour and
lighting
There is a very quick succession of multiple shots that all display a lot of meaning.
A voiceover is used over the top of all of them of Lili saying I love you, because
youre the only person who made sense of me. Who made me. This is a clear
reference to Gerda as many of the shots directly correlate with this. This adds to
the drama as it shows the viewer how complex the storyline is. The first main shot
display the protagonists in dim natural lighting, out of focus in a close up shot.
This shows Lili as a man, presenting the idea that this life is now somewhat
forgotten by Lili and put in the past. The low key lighting coupled with Gerdas
mournful facial expression show that the pair will face a lot of struggles in the
film. In grand contrast to this, the next shot includes bright natural lighting and
bright colours- especially that of yellow, which has connotations of happiness.
This, coupled with the diegetic sound of laughing from the girls, aims to show the
viewer that they will have good times as well as bad, since the viewer can see
them together as well as on the painting. Then a wide shot is shown, with dim
natural lighting, white and blue the only viewable colours. This suggests that
despite the sadness and innocence in Lilis life, it is Gerda who will also be left
struggling and alone. It shows that she too is innocent and only wanted to not be
lonely. However, it would appear to the viewer from this shot that this is what
happens. Another, almost identical shot to one of the ones before is then shown.
The bright colours now with dark shadow cast on them in wide shot that shows
Gerda alone, placing her hand upon a canvas as the painting of her and Lili sits in
the background, ignored. This shows a wistfulness and her wanting for the
brightness to return. This then quickly cuts to a close up of the hands stroking the
canvas through natural lighting and the viewer can hear the soft, diegetic sound
of her hand against the canvas. This portrays the idea of reaching out for
something but never being able to achieve quite what the character desires. The
final key shot here shows Lili standing in a dark room by a window that supplies
the only natural lighting in the shot. The complete lack of colour and bleak
atmosphere tells the viewer that Lili will deal with much isolation here. The use of
quick cuts between each shot is to show how quickly the protagonists lives
change and how many ups and downs there will be in the film. Finally, non
diegetic music that is fast paced and dramatic continues, still consisting of the
same piano, violin and drums. This only adds to the impression the viewer is
getting of increasing drama that is building to a crescendo like the music is.
Main technique
used: Post
production editing
The final shot of the trailer continues the voiceover with
the word possible. This decision has been made so that
when the viewer sees Lili after her full transformation, the
audience is able to connect this with the word possible
and confirm the idea that Lili is able to become a female in
the film just as she wished to be. The colours in the first
mid to close up shots are bright and the green used of Lilis
clothes has connotations of new life and regeneration. This
could possibly mean that Lili is regenerated and is living a
better life as a woman. A fade transition is that used as the
title is shown. Created in post production editing, a serif
font and capital letters are used to show the serious nature
of the film and how it deserves respect. The use of white
against the black background also reminds the viewer
again of the stories innocence and purity. The background
image is black with what looks to be paint spilling onto the
background. This is meant to tie in with the professions of
both the protagonists but the colours of blue and green
have mixed connotations of sadness and new life. This
suggest that Lilis sadness could be removed through her
transitioning. The non diegetic music has now only the
piano remaining as it slowly plays out to the end of the
trailer. This suggests how much calmer life could be for Lili
as a female as there is less drama for her once living her
life out as she wishes.
Overall
The Danish Girl was produced in 2015 predominantly by Working Title films. It was directed by Tom Hooper.
The film trailer overall can only be called a success. The use of colour, lighting, sound , shot times and
transitions were aesthetically pleasing and revealed so much about the plot and characters. There are many
interesting choices made that compliment one another through out the trailer.
The plot is already bound to draw people in as it follows such an interesting story. As well as this, to be able to
portray so many emotions and still leave the viewer with so much mystery is quite the feat and the company
has done it very well here. The audience would be left wanting more and any drama film fans would be
desperate to see the film. This comes about especially because of the large build up towards the end of the
trailer that is particularly dramatic.