The Black Button

The black button is a very good short film. It is about 7 mins in length and has the key idea of death and doing the right decision, as well as greed involved. There are aspects of the mise-en-scene that impact on the views of the characters. This characterises them to the extent that people know a little about them. There is a white room, this room suggests that it is paranormal and that the room is something from the heavens as the colour of white is associated with purity and god. This also is a part of the theme of the short film as the decision made either decides if you go to ‘heaven’ or to ‘hell’ or this is the assumptions made by the audience anyway. The people in the clip are both male this in itself has no relevance however the clothes and colours they are wearing suggests more about the characters. The character at the desk is wearing a black suit that makes him seen sinister and important because he is in formal dress. The fact he is behind a desk also suggests that he is important and in charge this also makes him seem somewhat intimidating to the audience as he assumes a ‘boss’ sort of role, in this role he is someone who comes across as if you where to not do as he would say there would be consequences. He is also middle aged making it seem more likely that he is in charge of death and life in the boss role. By being in charge of who lives and who dies it also makes him a very powerful person and someone who can intimidate others into killing off other people and changing there preferred choice. The other character is also in a suit or in a costume that suggests that he is formal. This would suggest that is also somewhat important. However this code of dress is different compared to the other male in this sequence as he wears a half black half white costume. This would suggest that he has the path of evil or good to find in himself and that this black button is actually a test of his destiny, either to be greedy and kill a person for money or to take the key to a better life. The formal dress also makes this situation seem like an interview. This is also important as it would divide people in society from the good hearted or the bad hearted. This is also the moral of this short film. Either you can be greedy and obtain all you want for a cost or you can take the key to salvation. Your actions speak louder than words.