To Kill A Mocking Bird Alternative Film Opening
The picture starts with nothing- just white. Then slowly black trickles in, outlining objects, trees, houses and most importantly a young girl. Scout. The picture is in black and white, although you can clearly tell the child is playing in dirt. The opening credits start suddenly, and carry on as the little girl piles up the dirt then sweeps her hand across it to knock it all down. She draws people- 2 small, childish people and then another, but with one small movement she wipes them away and as the credits draw to an end the girl smiles to herself, but not malevolently- innocently. She picks up a stick from the road, and as the soft, piano music plays, she writes the title of the film (To Kill A Mocking Bird) as though she is simply practicing her writing. It’s not neat, but it’s legible, and looks important surrounded by dust and dirt. You know instantaneously, even not having read the book that this girl is one of the main characters, because of the way it is enacted- she is slow, yet knowing. The watcher gets the feeling this girl is gentle but then, not smoothly like it started- suddenly, the music stops, and Scout stands up and jumps in the dirt, then runs away giggling. The camera focuses on what’s left of the title... TO KILL.
