i walked with a Zombie

Was directed by Jacques Tourneur, and was the second film to be produced by Val Lewton (Vladimir Ivan Leventon) in 1943. The film was made for RKO. The film was produced to be a "horror" film but as it was a B movie it wasn't as successful as they imagined.

Val Lewton, was given the title " i walked with a Zombie" and was instructed to create a film that fits with the title.

How does the film attempt to create atmosphere in the opening scene?
The film uses alot of low key lighting in scenes such as walking to the home fort and diegetic & non-diegetic sound is used when the drums are played to show the corn is ready to be collected, and when they head towards the voodoo place.

I walked with a Zombie, has a peaceful and relaxing opening. The calm music and images of a peaceful ocean behind the credits help to calm the audience, this however creates an uncomfortable feeling, as they are unaware what to expect. The voice over of a women, is non-diegetic sound which helps to introduce the film to the audience. The lighting is concentrated on main characters, and the less important characters are shadowed. This determines who are the vital characters in the film, the women starts to give a voice over account of what happened, in her opinion, this could show that she doesn't have a very powerful position in the film, due to her blurred account of what happened.

We see the women arriving at a house, looking neat & presentable, this creates a sense of unsettlement to the audience due to the women looking "normal". The disorientates the audience. Diegetic sound occurs as hunting appears on the screen, alongside a fast pace music. This is also shadowed by the moonlight, and its low key lighting. This is contrasted with the brightness of daylight scenes.

Slavery is also shown throughout the film, with various hints toward voodoo. We can see Slavery from the diegetic sound of humming, showing a depressive mood, caused from lack of freedom. The dialogue shows how although the "workers" aren't slaves, the "whites" have more power over the "blacks".

Alot of shadowy, eary lighting is used, showing that the audience don't know exactly what is going on. As soon as the family is introduced, we find out there is some tension between the two brothers of a family, and that they have employed a women to do a certain job. Showing elements of secrecy, as we are unable to receive the whole story. Whilst identifying the characters, point of view/perspective shots are frequently used, as well as low key lighting.

References to both zombies, and voodoo occur in the opening scene crying as a child is born, and the locals are celebrating the death of someone in order for the child to be born. The story of the two brothers is also showed in a song, sang by the local people. Miss Jessica appears to be a "mental patient" although she is really a zombie, and not actually alive.