1. Mississippi Burning
Opening
Sequence

2. WATER FOUNTAIN SCENE

3. People Two anonymous figures White person first Black child
Highlights that racial tension affects whole community
White person first
Whites are superior to blacks
Black child
Child, indicates Parker’s sympathy is with black community
Could also mean blacks treated like children

4. Fountains White fountain hand operated/black constantly running
Whites have power to control events, black community are powerless
‘White’ sign higher than ‘colored’
Superior attitude. Although separate, not equal
White fountain new, metallic, good working order/ black one old, state of disrepair, low pressure
Discrimination in all aspects of life
Pipe divides the fountains and screen
shows the racial divide and the central concern of film

5. Lighting and Music Light comes in from white side
Dark shadows cast over black side symbolising the persecution by the whites
Whole scene fairly dark
Majority of whites also in the dark regarding their racist views
Traditional gospel music
Plea to God from the oppressed/persecuted people
Soulful but depressing. Engages viewer’s emotions.

6. The Title

7. Monochrome Title Visual Metaphor representing racial divide
Black background
Black community pushed into the background
Title in white
Whites remain prominent. Their views heard over blacks’.

8. Burning Community

9. Burning Church
Supposed to provide peace and comfort, symbol of love and hope
Destroyed by hatred of white community
Symbolises loss of peace and hope in community
Visual representation of hate and destruction
Racial tensions in community
Gradually collapses
Community gradually collapsing/torn apart by racism of whites

10. Contrast with Water Fountain Scene
Running water creates sense of calm
Represents life/life giving element
Peaceful
Contrast with destructive force of fire
Racial divide is destructive
Juxtaposition of two images
Very different but both symbolise division in community

11. Chase Sequence

12. Sound Silence at start Music commences Sound of snare drum
Illustrates isolation of setting
Music commences
Peace will soon be disturbed
Sound of snare drum
When ‘authorities’ enter scene
Like a march, two communities going to war
Like the drum roll heard before an execution
Boys’ car enters scene
Sound of crickets, peaceful
Police cars enter scene
Revving engines, menacing. Intend to intimidate
Music builds tension, especially as it speeds up

13. Lighting Black boy in back in darkness KKK members step out of car
Shadow hangs over him, perhaps marking him out
Could be ominous foreshadowing of imminent fate
Reminds us of opening shot of water fountain
KKK members step out of car
Unable to see clearly because of strong light
Highlights secrecy of activities/hidden identity
Shine torches in faces of activists
Intimidates but also unable to clearly see their faces
Illustrates mystery with which they keep their racist activity surrounded
Screen goes black after first gunshot
Only one possible conclusion – do not need to see to know what happens
Happens at night
Under the cover of darkness

14. Camera Shots
Long shot
Car’s progress: single car in undulating road. Ominous.
Alternates with close-ups in car
Wide angle shots of convoy
Shows no escape
Reinforces vulnerability of boys: single car in vast countryside
See ‘predator’
Close-up of black boy
Unsettled, uneasy. Allows viewer to empathise
Looks over shoulder – black community always doing so in fear
Long shots to close-ups
Predatory cars chasing their victim
Become part of the panic inside the car

15. Camera Angles Keep changing Point of view angle Extreme close-ups
Echoes unsettled, frightening, chaotic nature of scene
Point of view angle
Feels like we are partaking in action
Extreme close-ups
Viewer empathises with activists
Can see fear
High angle shots
Establish dominance of the police and vulnerability of victims
Framing of head and chin of one of the murderers
Terrifying in its effect
Close up of gun and trigger being pulled
Shocking shot – shocks us out of apathy
Close up of blood on face is harrowing

16. Dialogue Black activist assesses the situation correctly Klansman
‘Oh, they ain’t playin’, you better believe it.’
Klansman
‘I shot me a nigger’: feeds into existing knowledge of the Klan
Deep southern drawl
Language makes viewer uneasy
‘Jew boy’ and ‘Nigger lover’