Film Language Tag: direct address
Communication that is explicitly indicated as being targeted at a current listener, reader, or viewer as an individual. In face-to-face interaction, this is when you are being spoken to or gestured at: signified by eye contact, the use of the word ‘you’, your name, or a pointing finger. In the case of television and photography, an example would be someone talking while looking into the camera lens, as if they were communicating directly with the current viewer. This mode of address is common for presenters in certain television genres: notably newscasters, weather forecasters, and chat-show hosts. It is only occasionally used in narratives, where such communication is extradiegetic; in such contexts this is typically a humorous device or an alienation effect. [Also known as metalepsis or, more colloquially, breaking the fourth wall]
A Discovery is Made and a Posse is Formed, The Great Train Robbery
After the telegraph operator's daughter discovers her father's plight and rescues him, he rushes to notify locals at a dance and a posse is formed to pursue the bandits responsible for the crime.
Bang!, The Great Train Robbery
Barnes, the leader of the outlaws, shoots at the spectator.
Closing Sequence, Breathless
After Patricia reveals Michel's whereabouts to the police, Michel rejects his friend Berrutti's offer to help him escape and is shot.
Colosseum, The Conformist
Marcello realises Lino isn't dead when he finds him at the Colosseum.
Hannibal and Clarice Meet, The Silence of the Lambs
FBI trainee Clarice Starling visits the psychotic killer Hannibal Lecter in prison.
Katherine Demands Michael’s Prognosis, An Early Frost
Katherine Pierson (Gena Rowlands) confronts her son's doctor (Don Hood) in a hospital hallway, demanding to know his prospects after a recent AIDS diagnosis and a seizure that same night.
Lord of War Opening Title Sequence, Lord of War
After a direct address, a list of opening credits is superimposed on a montage of the life of a bullet... and the death of a child.
Michael Attempts Suicide, An Early Frost
Despairing at his prognosis, Michael Pierson (Aidan Quinn) attempts in his parents' garage. His father, Nick (Ben Gazzara) discovers and stops him; after a brief interjection from Katherine, Nick's mother (Gena Rowlands) the two have a lengthy confrontation.
Opening Sequence, Breathless
Michel steals a car with the help of a female accomplice and then shoots a police officer to evade arrest.
Opening Sequence, In the Heights
Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) introduces el barrio.
Opening Sequence, The Story of a Three-Day Pass
Turner (Harry Baird), an American G.I. stationed in France, receives a promotion and a three-day outing pass from his captain (Hal Brav).
Paola on the Beach, La Dolce Vita
Paola and Marcello attempt to communicate across the estuary at the beach, but he cannot understand her.
The Tabloids, Luck by Chance
Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) and Nikki (Isha Sharvani) speak from the front page of tabloids.
To Fort Lebanon, Moonrise Kingdom
The narrator gives a weather report on the upcoming storm as the Khaki Scouts row Suzy and Shakusky to Fort Lebanon.
