Title Research: Soylent Green

 

I found the introduction to Soylent Green on Art of the Title.

1) How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
Unlike the other openings I have researched, the opening sequence of Soylent Green has no titles besides the main title.

2) What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The opening sequence gives a visual timeline of the development of society. It starts with simple sepia images of people living an agricultural life. As the sequence goes on, the images show cities being built and technology such as cars being invented. The opening ends with imagery of polluted cities and people with medical face masks.

3) What connotations do the images carry?
The images carry a positive connotation until the last few seconds, in which they take a negative connotation.

4) How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
This film takes place after an apocalyptic event, which is typical for the genre. Like many apocalypse movies, Soylent Green's story is based on a man-made event that changed the world. In this case, it is overpopulation. It uses imagery that symbolizes death and destruction.

5) How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
The opening sequence piques the audience's interest by showing that the film takes place in 2022, which at the time was far into the future. The sudden shift in mood from nostalgic imagery of people living simple lives to foreboding images of sick people and crowded cities makes the audience question what the consequences of overpopulation are.

6) What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The film uses sepia-tone and ominous imagery to show that its meant for older audiences.

7) How has technology been used effectively?
Transitions were utilized to show the gradual change in society. Overlaid text that gives context to the setting was also used at the very end of the title sequence.