The Arrival - Analysis

Arrival is set entirely in this coffee shop

The Arrival is a short film directed by Daniel Montanarini. It is set in a coffee shop, and is almost a soliloquy; Anna contemplates whether or not to have decaf or caffeinated coffee, and this spirals into a decision on whether or not keep the baby she is pregnant with.

Mise-En-Scene

Mise-en-scene remains very simple in The Arrival. The films is shot in a real coffee shop, and this creates verisimilitude.

Performance

Performance is the crux of this short film, with the majority being a voiceover atop a silent performance.

Cinematography

Dark colours, slow zooms and close ups feature prominently. Creates a sombre and introspective tone. The light focuses on her, as she is the main character.

Editing

Long takes emphasise the main actor's performance and let the voice over breathe.

Sound

The voice over dominates the soundscape, as it is the driving force of the story, allowing us to hear the main character's interior narrative.