Run Lola Run is an action thriller film directed by Tom Tykwer and released in the year 1998. This film is an outstanding example of the application of shooting and editing techniques where the element of time is significant. Thus, the totality of the film was a result of many techniques but most especially the editing and the shot techniques used. This paper will discuss the elements of editing and camera angles and shots as used in the film.
Editing is significant in the making as well as the general film quality. This film had continuity in regards to the shots, space, music and sounds, timing, pace, and rhythm. The scene that portrays this continuity, specifically the montage or cut-to-cut editing technique, is where Manni loses his bag and is telling Lola about it (00:04:40). The synchronization and the arrangement of shots and sounds and the transition rate are fit for the expected effect by the viewers. In this type of editing, an incident is arranged in a manner that is connected exactly with what is spoken by the characters. As a result, the audiences are given an opportunity to have a concise narrative of the happenings before the phone call.
Another type of editing technique used in the film is cross-cutting. This is where the film had repeated and the continuity was partly covered within the specific scene and time. For instance, a scene where the train was moving was not completely clearly cut choreographed. In this scene, simultaneous action was taking place, and at the same time, the train was shown moving. This type of editing was necessary and very flexible because every character in the film had to be kept alive. Thus, both types of editing played a major part in ensuring that the viewers understood the film in relation to the plot, characters, theme, and other important film components.
Camera Shots
The film Run Lola Run uses various camera shots, but the two that stand out are the close-ups and the longer shots. Majorly, close-ups are used during the phone conversation between Manni and Lola. The close-up captures the emotional aspects in both of their faces in the circumstance they are in. Manni’s frustrations, anger, and anxiety they both have are presented in the close-up shot. On the other hand, the longer shots are used to show the composure Lola had in the situation and to introduce the audience to the environment (00:04:40). These long and short camera shots are used to show how the events in the film are progressing.
While she was running, different angles were used to cut the long shots (00:13:11- 00:14:06). The high camera angles are used mainly to reduce the significance of the subjects while patronizing the film’s subjects. For instance, she is shown as helpless by the high angle while asking for help from her father (00:20:14), while the low angle is used to show her power while she is holding a gun while in the supermarket (00:28:47).
Run Lola Run is a very moving and fascinating film. I appreciated the use of the editing and the camera shot appropriately used by the film maker. This makes it possible for the audience to follow the story’s plot, characters, and actions. Of all the characters, I appropriate the role played by Manni and Lola. This is because I found it easy to follow their conversations and actions with the help of the appropriate camera shots and the editing employed by the filmmaker.
Works Cited
Tykwer, Tom, Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, and Nina Petri. Run Lola Run =: Lola Rennt. Culver City, Calif: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 2005.
