Bienvenu, Mise en Scene: The Human Centipede

The Human Centipede is a Dutch horror film directed by Tom Six. The film is about a deranged surgeon who abducts three tourists and surgically attaches them to each other (anus to mouth).

It is instantly clear that the doctor is seriously disturbed and his issues with control become more and more apparent throughout the movie. He kidnaps the people, chains them to beds, and ultimately controls their every move. Besides that he is a "neat-freak."

The mise en scene of this one frame exemplifies the power he has throughout the film. The dominant is obviously the doctor. His bleach white lab coat and the light shining through the trees behind him make him stand out. The second character in the shot (one of the victims) is in a dark corner on the left and is out of focus which again puts the focus on the doctor. The victim's closeness to the camera creates personal camera proxemics. I would also say that the characters are at a personal character proxemics it's as if they are just close enough for something bad to happen. Lastly, there is the lighting of the frame. For the most part it is low key lighting, but still has something light to it. Perhaps it's the freedom shining through the trees that is lighting up the frame. Freedom that can only be obtained by getting passed crazy.

The aspects of mise en scene make his dominance so clear. The camera is looking up at him which signifies that he is authoritative or possibly dangerous. In this film and in this frame, both are true. She is off in the blurry distance while he stands there, aviators on and gun in hand, ready to go. The director and other creators of this movie made these choices in order to show the doctor's control. Even if one didn't know anything about mise en scene or even anything about the movie all they would have to do is look at this frame. If I had to give this frame a caption it would probably be:
"Where do you think you're going?"

*If you haven't seen The Human Centipede or trailer, here it is. Don't say I didn't warn you...