The interview

The interview and power

- The first scene shows that flemming is powerless
Opening scene goldfish trapped, sinister music
- Institutional power of police
- Gun is a symbol of power
- Shadows
- Random shouting confusion
- Gun pointed to his face
- Steele smashing his things
- Makes us sympathise with fleming
- Audio of his breathing nervousness
Scene where he is take away
- Low angle shot looking up at the building
- Hierarchical power
- Building cut off emphasise keeps on going
- Looks solid and bold indestructible nature of building
- Shadows might suggest corruption
Power in framing elevator
- Framing of him enclosed in the elevator
- Surrounded by police on both sides
- Trapped
- Prior mocks him
Physical violence indicates power

How the police assert power Steele

- Costuming
- Steele questioning fleming answers
- the more hes encouraged the more he talks the policemen think they know how Fleming works
when they show him the photo
power of police
- in the first scene, steel is standing close ups of flemng looking up to him
- fleming stutters and becomes flustered while the policemens tone are relaxed, comfortable, in
control, confident and condescending they have power and are aware that fleming is powerless
- they constantly dumb him down what is it well what does it say? , its a letter talking
monosyllabically talking to a child
- he sits in the seat
- steele standing up pacing behind him, and staring over his shoulder, Prior is seated faing him
parallels the elevator scene
- I dont understand oh yes you do they are determined to frame him
- our forensics have had a look at that document and we know both those signatures were forged
appeal to ethos
- do you know much about the characteristics of handwriting
- our handwriting experts have made a detailed comparison, its your handwriting definite phrases

- well thats what the document examination experts states
- all the writing characteristics match up
- body language fleming looks nervously at both sides
- his voice changes sounds like hes about to cry
- we got it from you estate agent a while back looking into his private things shows power
- switching between camera shots of flemming and of police show they are dvided

1
The interview
- no ones trying to intimidate you, they were just certain questions that were put to you, its my job
neutral spectator
fleming persuation
- you both have something in common I do? rhetorical questions
- of course not, Ive only got one name and its flemming, have you ever used an alias - absolutely
not thats outrageous high modality language
- a beaucroft and peter Williams are just names to me why am I supposed to recognize htem? -
rhetorical
- I did not write that letter and it is not my paper, and if you think you can intimidate me into saying
whatever it is you wanna hear than you can think again zooming in on his face intensement
shows that he gains some power

I was 15
- Appeal to logos fleming used an alias when he was fifteen only a few people have used the alias
peter Williams and only one matches the handwriting false logic
- Flemming breaks down stutters on the verge of tears
- Birds eye view shows the enclosure makes it seem small and constrictive
Power
- Prior slamming down the book
- theres the bloody book, and theres the bloody phone condescending tone talking him down
steele is arrogant and feels self important senior detective to you thinks he has an important
role looks down on Fleming
- low angle shot
- slams him hand on his its under L assert his intelligence he thinks Fleming is dumb
pins pior to the wall
- if you say another fucking word behind my back, Ill have you transferred out of here
- loyalty is what I expect mate
fleming
- curled up in the shadow
- the camera first pans from a cage symbolis his trapped
when lady leaves
- your in deep shit and now your going to take the fucking consequences
- power in hierarchy steele gets angry at prior prior takes out his anger at fleming
- you must understand that what we deal with are facts
- your handwriting has been identified on the id document
- all im doing is advising you of the evidence and giving you the opportunity to respond
- ive just explained to you the relevant facts
- the close of shots of fleming and steeles face at the start foreshadow the shift of power equal
position
- anecdote by Steele to intimidate Fleming
- close up of flemmings face looks evil and determined, the camera circles around flemming then
the camera circles around the table to show a shift in power
- you really are a corrupt little man arent you
- he starts questioning them
- close up of flemmings eyes and then steeles eyes show they are equally matched in power
- is there anyone else you looking for?
- Steeles argument relies solely on the identification of his handwriting
- Flaming sits up and straightens himself
- it must have been uncomfortable, driving around in the heat his language mimicks the language
that steele used at the beginning to question him

2
The interview
- as far as Im concerned your just helping us with out enquiries
- do I have to swear on the bible makes him more credible
- am who else is missing, 4 or 5?
- theres only one real way dont you? Find his body?
Last interview
- would an innocent person even think in those terms induction and deduction use of language
to convince
- Im staving, Im starving, lets eat
- Ill draw you a diagram of where I put them suggestions that spark interest
- He comes closer to the camera I want to eat please more direct
- very civilised irony using hands and smaking lips
- he is now relaxed (Fleming)
- he is now questioning them take beaucroft what motive was there
- steele thinks to encourage him to talk, even circuitously. Fleming obliges, confessing in such a
casual, offhand way to let steele think that hes dealing with a rare sociopath. Steel emisses the
point that the confession is so vague and could be based on newspaper reports
- will you please pass the mayonnaise please Pryor smiles while passing it to him the police have
taken the bait and think he is confessing
- flashback change of film style colour gives vivid images adds credibility to flemmings
confession concrete places and people
- music adds depth turns into mysterious music piano and organ that was heard at the beginning
when the policemen barged into his home however this time flemming is in power
- I guess thats where I got the idea. Idea for what? Well for killing him
- You dont need a big reason to kill someone right. Beaucroft had 38 dollars. wouldnt have that
must appeal would it?, youd be told you should do it for a lot of money or revenge cause you know
youve always got to have a good motive procatalepsis
- Pauses he controls the conversation flow
- you just do it cause you can monosyllabic
- convincing Steele that he is an exotic sociopath and has committed a murder eating and
breathing sound make his confessions vivid and disturbing or disgusting
- now this sounds like a story but I swear to god its the truth credibility however we notice he
swore to god before to deny the murder and this causes dramatic irony steele is secretly being
fooled
- body language
- shadow of flemming clubbing baucroft
- the blood only using snippets close ups of the blood and his arm
- no explicit image but suggestions however they make us use our imaginations and make the
scene more vivid
- close ups of the officers steele is fidgeting his thumbs glancing sideways at Pryor pryor gulps
- just goes to show you how the mind works
- steele offers him a cigarette rewarding him for speaking , lights it for him steele is being
manipulated playing to Flemings interests

last interview
- detective Jackson barges in
- Steele and Prior are interviewing Fleming again after he confessed to multiple murders. Detective
Inspector Jackson interrupts the interview
- Costuming: Fleming is dressed in messy, casual clothing, Prior is mildly formal shirt, Steele and
Jackson wearing formal suits

3
The interview
- Age: Prior, the youngest, is at the bottom of the ladder, followed by Steele who is more middle-
aged, followed by Hudson at the top who is visibly old and wrinkly (no offense dude)
- Lighting and diegetic sound: We notice Det. Jacksons arrival not through the camera visually, but
by the sound of the door unlocking and his footsteps as he enters. Only after this, the focus is
redirected to Jackson and when we first see him, his figure is obscured by shadows.
- Framing: Jackson (who is standing up) is placed higher than the others and is in the center (in
between he 2 other detectives).
- Body language and facial expressions:
- Jacksons appears relaxed and comfortable. He is bent over, appears determined and he retains a
direct line of eye contact with fleming throughout this scene. This is contrasted to the quick cuts to
Det Steele, who is sitting down, glancing to the side, twiddling his thumbs and appears
uncomfortable.
- Voice: Fleming shaky, pleading, tremulous. When he started to confess - he became really calm and
collected, confident, reassured. Now his voice seems forceful, pathetic, vulnerable, - playing the
victim, intimidated
- Jackson - measure, calm, confident
- More formal clothing corresponds to characters in higher positions of power and profession:
Fleming < Prior < Steele < Jackson
-
- Jacksons higher rank and authority over the other characters is emphasised by framing. Jackson as
the only man standing in the room, appears to tower over both Prior and Steele, who become
insignificant and appear as mere assistants.
-
- Jacksons relaxed body language and stance, emphasise that he is professional and has control over
the situation. This is as opposed to Steele, who suddenly does not appear to be his previous
confident self anymore and rather seems powerless and anxious, sitting helplessly on the side and
unable to say anything.
-
- Lighting and sound used upon Jacksons entrance create a mood of mystery and suspense. With
Jackson appearing from the shadows behind the interview, the audiences attention is drawn to this
mysterious and unknown figure, and thus automatically we associate him with more power and
superiority.
-
- Regardless of whether a persons actions are right or wrong, their rank - and hence the amount of
power they hold - often determine whether they get their way. Jacksons interruption of the
interview is unfair and counterproductive, Yet the others have no choice in the matter because of
his superior rank. Furthermore, with Steeles loss of power in this scene, we see that power is
relative and can easily be lost when encountering someone of higher position.
- In Othello, the power of hierarchy is similarly seen in that, those in higher social positions often
have more influence and status. However,, unlike the interview, in Othello, hierarchical power is
often undermined, in the obvious example of Othello, who is manipulated and deceived by Iagos
cunning, despite Iagos lower position of Othellos ensign.
- N
- Plays dumb I only told you what you wanted to heat
- Detective inspecter thse policemen have held
- Flustered acts like a victim he faces Jackson
- Leans in more personal
- Shaky voice
- Can you accept that please?
Steeles interview

4
The interview
- Aerial shot at the beginning shows the intensity of the situation.
- Steele being interviewed shows his disempowerment.
- Close-up of the tape recorder, shows it significance (continual motif).
- Low angle shot of Steele holding the recorder, which shows hes gotten power back.
- Low angle shot of Fleming shows the success of his power.
- Slow motion, oblique shot of the police station (gothic).
- Aerial shot at the beginning shows the intensity of the situation.
- Steele being interviewed shows his disempowerment.
- Close-up of the tape recorder, shows it significance (continual motif).
- Low angle shot of Steele holding the recorder, which shows hes gotten power back.
- Low angle shot of Fleming shows the success of his power.
- Slow motion, oblique shot of the police station (gothic).
- Slow motion of Flemings face and smile, showing the complete power and success of his
persuasion.
- Steele acts as if hes innocent, leaning back and relaxed.
- He spent his whole life using people like you. Steele, talking about Fleming > links to Iago.
- The girl only speaks once gender power.
- The scene opens with the woman repeating exactly what Steele says to Fleming before every
interview.
- Points his finger straight at the interviewer.
- Steele leans across the desk and folds his arms, trying to win his power back.
- Stands up to listen to the tape, gains his power back.
- Abuse, threats and assault. I shouldve asked for a meal.
- Holds arm out for the head of police to shake, but he refuses. The head of police still has the power.
- Looks over his shoulder and around before walking away.
- Steele looks out the window light is harsh but bright, yet Steele remains in shadow. Steele was
inside, looking out of the window and into the light which juxtaposes with Fleming, who was
previously in the cell looking up and out into the light (symbol of freedom).
- Fleming walks out into the light at the end freedom!!!
- Music at the end increases the tension and mood, aligns with Flemings creepy smile.
- Gothic setting in the cell.
- Steele is in the cell, contrasts to Fleming in the cell.
- Gargoyle thing shows gothic conventions.
- When Fleming gets out, he buttoned up his shirt and puts on a tie and suit jacket which shows that
he has all his power back, and he has won.
-