Barthes Code

Roland Barthes believed that a number of codes were used in all creative works, including films. Today I will look at the way two of those codes can be seen in the scenes of the films, Minority Report and Inglorious Basterds.

Barthes' Codes

Hermeneutic Code(Enigma Code) - This code states that unanswered questions are created in movies through events or storytelling that the audience wants answered This can be used to great effect in order to create intrigue and keep viewers interested in a film.

Proairetic Code(Action Code) - The code states that events or actions that occur which leads to further action or reaction in the film. This code allows a movie to have a film flowing story and creates a sequence of events that gives a viewer reason t have continued interest in the film. The code sometimes is even played with by using flashbacks to use the code n reverse, by revealing the events that occurred to create the state the film is set in.

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS

The opening scene of Inglorious Basterds applies the hermeneutic code a number of times to create interest in the film. The film begins with a man and a woman working in the French countryside as they are alarmed by police cars heading towards their home. This alone creates questions we(the audience) want the answer to: Why are the police looking for them? Why were they not surprised? Does that mean they're guilty? Why did the lady hide? Is she the culprit? The proairetic code is also utilised by the film by allowing what occurs in the opening lead the rest of the story through out the rest of the film. The proairetic code could also be said to have been used for the events that lead to the woman being hunted down by the police.

MINORITY REPORT

Minority Report though is definitely more science fiction than Inglorious Basterds, it stills make use of the codes that Barthes codes, further proving Barthes theory that these codes are deployed in all pieces of creative work. Minority Report employs the use of the hermeneutic code by setting the film in a time that is unknown to the audience of today. The film which is set in the future in which many developments in technology have been made  which makes the audience simply ask: What are all these things and what do they do? The use of the balls and the ladies in water also would confuse the viewer and leave them wanting to know more about the system of precrime and how theses floating bathtub ladies can see future crimes. The proairetic code comes into action as we see the a man kill his wife and we would wonder what the consequences of that are or what the consequences of the Precrime unit being able to stop the murder will be.