Film Language Tag: sound motif

In literature, recurring figures; in sound film, these can be either visual or aural; for the musical "motive". [See musical theme and leitmotif (sound)]. At Kinolab, we use sound motif to refer to a very short piece of the film's score or soundtrack that reoccurs throughout the film. The sound motif does not always need to be musical in nature. For a longer piece of recurring music, refer to musical theme. For a shorter piece that is associated with a specific character, object, or idea, see leitmotif (sound). Buhler, James and David Neumeyer. Hearing the Movies: Music and Sound in Film History. Oxford UP, 2015.

Films (48)

A Game of Roulette, Run Lola Run

After just missing her father (Herbert Knaup), Lola (Franka Potente) goes to the casino to win the money.

A Sonata for Good Men, The Lives of Others

After receiving news of Jerska's death, Dreyman plays Sonata for Good Men on the piano.

Alex Kitner, Jaws

Alex Kitner (Jeffrey Voorhees) is attacked and killed by the shark at a crowded beach

All Hope Gone, The Birth of a Nation

After giving aid to a fallen Union soldier, Ben Cameron leads the charge at the Battle of Petersburg and plants his battalion's flag in a Union canon before he is wounded.

All is Grace (Closing Sequence), Diary of a Country Priest

The priest (Claude Laydu) passes away. His friend Dufrety (Bernard Hubrenne) recounts his final moments in a letter to the priest of Torcy (Adrien Borel).

An Attack in Flaminia, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Sam is attacked on his way home.

Armchair Psychology, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Morosini and a psychologist sit down for an interview to discuss Monica Ranieri.

At 30, At 11, Aftersun

Sophie (Frankie Corio) asks Calum (Paul Mescal) what he imagined his future would be like when he was 11 years old.

Blaylock's Demise, The Hunger

Sarah (Susan Sarandon) kills her boyfriend Tom (Cliff De Young), and Miriam (Catherine Denueve) comforts her.

Car Ride, Get Out

Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) head upstate to her parents' house but hit a deer on the road.

Closing Sequence, Pan's Labyrinth

Ofelia makes the ultimate sacrifice and Vidal receives an appropriate punishment.

Coming Home, Carrie

Carrie arrives back home, looking for her mother.

Discovering Acrophobia , Vertigo

Chasing a criminal over San Franciscan rooftops, detective Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) slips and, hanging from a gutter, watches as his fellow policeman dies trying to save him.

Don Pietro's Execution, Rome, Open City

Don Pietro is executed by the Gestapo for his support of the Resistance.

Guila Defends Herself, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

The assailant attempts to murder Guilia.

Harry's Dream, The Conversation

Harry dreams about the woman from the tapes.

Impaled in the Gallery, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Sam is attacked by Monica in the gallery.

In the Church, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

The Man (George O'Brien) and the Wife (Janet Gayor) enter a church during a wedding.

It was only a dream. , The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Jean-Do ponders the limits and opportunities of writing.

Last Dance (Closing Sequence), Aftersun

Sophie (Frankie Corio) and Calum (Paul Mescal) dance to "Under Pressure." Sophie and Calum say goodbye at the airport. Adult Sophie (Celia Rowlson-Hall) embraces her father.

Lola's First Run, Run Lola Run

Lola (Franka Potente) begins her first run through Berlin.

Marcello Calms the Bully Dog, Dogman

At a dog grooming shop, we are introduced to Marcello, who is attempting to give an aggressive dog a bath.

Opening Sequence, Aftersun

Sophie (Frankie Corio) and her father Calum (Paul Mescal) go on a vacation to Turkey.

Opening Sequence, Pan's Labyrinth

Princess Moanna's backstory is revealed.

Opening Sequence, Run Lola Run

Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) tells Lola (Franka Potente) how he lost 100,000 marks.

Opening Sequence, Hereditary

The Graham family prepares for a funeral.

Polaroid, Aftersun

Sophie (Frankie Corio) and Calum (Paul Mescal) have their picture taken.

Pursuit and Boxers, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Sam and Guilia are attacked and chased by an unknown accomplice of the assailant, but after outrunning him, Sam loses him to a crowd of similarly-dressed men at a boxing convention.

Rebirth, Run Lola Run

Lola (Franka Potente) begins her second try at saving Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu).

Rebirth Again, Run Lola Run

Lola (Franka Potente) begins her third try at saving Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu).

Salammbo, Citizen Kane

Susan gives performs her first Opera show at Salammbo.

Sam Gets a Call, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

The assailant calls Sam at his apartment, warning him to abandon the investigation or his girlfriend will be the next victim.

Searching for Guilia, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Sam tries to find Guilia.

Siringa's Body, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

While looking for clues, Sam discovers another murdered body.

Sunken Place, Get Out

After waking up in the middle of the night for fresh air, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) runs into Missy (Catherine Keener), who sends him to the Sunken Place.

Temple, Deewaar

Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan), who has refused to enter his mother’s temple since childhood, finally goes to the temple in desperation and begs God to save his ailing mother.

The 4th Victim, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

The assailant attacks the 4th victim in her apartment, in the style of the painting from the antique store.

The Coagula , Get Out

Trapped in the basement, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) is forced to watch videos that reveal the Coagula.

The Death of Leonardo, Everybody's Woman

Leonardo is hit by a car.

The Dream, The Fly

The scene follows Ronnie (Geena Davis) as she undergoes an abortion, accompanied by Stathis (John Getz). Her uncertainty sets the tone within the setting of the hospital, as she is treated by a number of hospital workers; notably, the gynecologist. The scene ends as a large, writhing maggot is pulled from her womb, before Ronnie wakes up from her dream.