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Mississippi Burning

The opening sequence of Mississippi Burning introduces the racial tension that affects the entire community. Through the water fountain scene, the superiority of whites over blacks is highlighted, as well as the discrimination in all aspects of life. The lighting and music further enhance the emotional engagement of the viewer. The monochrome title represents the racial divide, and the burning church symbolizes the destruction caused by hatred. This scene is juxtaposed with the peaceful water fountain scene, emphasizing the destructive nature of racial division. The chase sequence builds tension through sound and lighting, foreshadowing the fate of the black boy. Various camera shots and angles illustrate the vulnerability of the victims and the dominance of the police. Dialogue reflects the racist language used by the Klan members.

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Mississippi Burning

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  1. Mississippi Burning Opening Sequence

  2. WATER FOUNTAIN SCENE

  3. People • Two anonymous figures • Highlights that racial tension affects whole community • White person first • Whites are superior to blacks • Black child • Child, indicates Parker’s sympathy is with black community • Could also mean blacks treated like children

  4. Fountains • White fountain hand operated/black constantly running • Whites have power to control events, black community are powerless • ‘White’ sign higher than ‘colored’ • Superior attitude. Although separate, not equal • White fountain new, metallic, good working order/ black one old, state of disrepair, low pressure • Discrimination in all aspects of life • Pipe divides the fountains and screen • shows the racial divide and the central concern of film

  5. Lighting and Music • Light comes in from white side • Dark shadows cast over black side symbolising the persecution by the whites • Whole scene fairly dark • Majority of whites also in the dark regarding their racist views • Traditional gospel music • Plea to God from the oppressed/persecuted people • Soulful but depressing. Engages viewer’s emotions.

  6. The Title

  7. Monochrome Title Visual Metaphor representing racial divide • Black background • Black community pushed into the background • Title in white • Whites remain prominent. Their views heard over blacks’.

  8. Burning Community

  9. Burning Church • Supposed to provide peace and comfort, symbol of love and hope • Destroyed by hatred of white community • Symbolises loss of peace and hope in community • Visual representation of hate and destruction • Racial tensions in community • Gradually collapses • Community gradually collapsing/torn apart by racism of whites

  10. Contrast with Water Fountain Scene • Running water creates sense of calm • Represents life/life giving element • Peaceful • Contrast with destructive force of fire • Racial divide is destructive • Juxtaposition of two images • Very different but both symbolise division in community

  11. Chase Sequence

  12. Sound • Silence at start • Illustrates isolation of setting • Music commences • Peace will soon be disturbed • Sound of snare drum • When ‘authorities’ enter scene • Like a march, two communities going to war • Like the drum roll heard before an execution • Boys’ car enters scene • Sound of crickets, peaceful • Police cars enter scene • Revving engines, menacing. Intend to intimidate Music builds tension, especially as it speeds up

  13. Lighting • Black boy in back in darkness • Shadow hangs over him, perhaps marking him out • Could be ominous foreshadowing of imminent fate • Reminds us of opening shot of water fountain • KKK members step out of car • Unable to see clearly because of strong light • Highlights secrecy of activities/hidden identity • Shine torches in faces of activists • Intimidates but also unable to clearly see their faces • Illustrates mystery with which they keep their racist activity surrounded • Screen goes black after first gunshot • Only one possible conclusion – do not need to see to know what happens • Happens at night • Under the cover of darkness

  14. Camera Shots • Long shot • Car’s progress: single car in undulating road. Ominous. • Alternates with close-ups in car • Wide angle shots of convoy • Shows no escape • Reinforces vulnerability of boys: single car in vast countryside • See ‘predator’ • Close-up of black boy • Unsettled, uneasy. Allows viewer to empathise • Looks over shoulder – black community always doing so in fear • Long shots to close-ups • Predatory cars chasing their victim • Become part of the panic inside the car

  15. Camera Angles • Keep changing • Echoes unsettled, frightening, chaotic nature of scene • Point of view angle • Feels like we are partaking in action • Extreme close-ups • Viewer empathises with activists • Can see fear • High angle shots • Establish dominance of the police and vulnerability of victims • Framing of head and chin of one of the murderers • Terrifying in its effect • Close up of gun and trigger being pulled • Shocking shot – shocks us out of apathy • Close up of blood on face is harrowing

  16. Dialogue • Black activist assesses the situation correctly • ‘Oh, they ain’t playin’, you better believe it.’ • Klansman • ‘I shot me a nigger’: feeds into existing knowledge of the Klan • Deep southern drawl • Language makes viewer uneasy • ‘Jew boy’ and ‘Nigger lover’

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