Alien = Chest Burster

Question 1

Cinematography =

Answer 1

• Close up of the alien to see it’s intricate phallic imagery
• Reaction shot of the crew members such as Ash and Lambert

Question 2

Mise en Scene =

Answer 2

• Blood scattered across the walls
• Cramped and brightly lit dining area
• Wearing everyday clothes which emphasises their normalcy before the blood
• The actors are tightly bunched
• Calm and cheerful domestic setup makes the horror feel like a brutal intrusion

Question 3

Performance =

Answer 3

• Kane suddenly chokes and goes into spasms of pain fighting the pain.
• The actors were not told what would happen but expected something which intensifies the raw shock

Question 4

Editing =

Answer 4

• No CGI, utilised practical effects to achieve the burst. A mechanical rig was hidden beneath his torso

Question 5

Auteur =

Answer 5

• Ridley did not want the actors to see the setup so they would expierence the horror of the chest bursting open
• Insight into HR Giger’s influence and the phallic imagery of the alien
• Violent imagery of birth out of a male’s chest which reverses the association of sexual violence against women
• Highlights the themes of biological horror where the human body is invaded highlighting the coldness of the corporation who allowed this to happen
• Focus on pure cinema as the Alien bursts out utilising camera angles and practical effects
• Giger designed the intentionally grotesque and biomechinal chestburster which ties to forced reproduction and birth as horror

Question 6

Context =

Answer 6

• 1970’s saw more graphic and violent cinema after the removal of the Hays Code which had previously banned any topics of violent childbirth, rape and the body losing control