Silent Things - Representation

A two shot shows who we assume to be the two man protagonists standing on the beach flying a kite. Both characters remain still and quiet whilst watching it fly, suggesting that perhaps they do not know what to say to each other.
People with a disability can stereotypically be seen to have difficulties with social interaction and this is implied with a close up shot of the girl. She is shown fiddling with her hair connoting that she is shy and perhaps closed off or disconnected - representing her disability. 

The focus pulls used whilst the two are preparing the kite allows us to see their facial expressions which with both of them appear to be very vacant suggesting that they are in their own little bubble or their thoughts are drifting which perhaps connotes that this social group like to keep themselves to themselves or are even just lonely.

The feeling of being alone is reinforced by the location. The beach appears to be quite isolated as not many people are to be seen which could represent how the two protagonists feel and why they enjoy going there - they like to be alone.  

When the next female character appears, a binary opposition is created with the difference in ability and disability:

She isn't phased by what others think - she is confident.

• she casually walks over with no hesitation, conveying her confidence.
• her clothes have colour and print to them contrasting to the male wearing darker, more simple clothes, creating a representation of him to be a less expressive and closed person. 
• The absence of dialogue as the second female character approaches the male, further suggests his quiet persona and how this is an unusual situation for him. 

The shot reverse shot and eyeline match when the first female character begins walking over to the others allows us to see her concern over what is happening as the medium close up and close up enable us to see her facial expressions; which appear to be concerned and worried. 

A 3 shot then shows the three characters together on the beach; the girl asks: "who is this?" and "how can she be your friend already?". Her speech is slightly stuttered (suggesting her disability), and she closes her eyes implying that she is uncomfortable with the situation which puts the audience in the situation to sympathise with her.  Throughout that small small part of dialogue, her body language shows her to look insecure i.e. constantly looking at the ground and trying to avoid eye contact with the other girl, also suggesting she may feel intimidated by her, further showing the binary opposition. 

During dialogue between the two characters, we learn that the man has a lot of knowledge about ferries to which the girl asks if he wants to join her. He appears hesitant as he uses the word 'maybe' suggesting it is something out of his comfort zone, but is also however quite naive and quickly agrees to go along with her which reinforces his disability as he hasn't fully thought about what he is about to do.  

A cut is the used to show the other female character from a close up side profile showing her to be stroking her neck and also talking under her breath to herself which demonstrates her disability - she is feeling alone and only has herself to be with.

Once aboard the ferry, we can see that the man begins to feel uncomfortable. This is through the use of close ups to see his facial expressions.

The contrast between the man and other passengers on the ferry is shown by cut transitions showing other people to be doing normal things. Ambient noise is present to begin with but then we begin to hear a non-diegetic voice which echoes and is whispered to suggest he is hearing things inside his head which portrays his vulnerability and that he's uncomfortable.

The audience may feel sympathy for the male character as the girl who appeared to be friendly and interested now says: "I met him today on the beach, and he wanted me to get on the ferry with him" which is a lie. She could have been using him and are made to feel sorry for him. 

The over the shoulder shots and two shots with the police alongside the music further enforce sympathy - his body language make us believe that he is in either mental or physical pain.