The Inner Voice summary

Visual elements

• Overly bright scenes, to show how Kate is overwhelmed by her surroundings. Dark, dim scenes, lacking colour, to reveal her inner darkness. 
• High contrast lighting
• Dominance of the colour red, representing the threatening atmosphere 
• ECU/CU of monstrous gazes 
• Surrealist visual style is prominent, especially in dream sequences, which artistically reveal Kate's unconscious fears.
• Blurry shots- representing Kate's dizziness 
• Bright spotlights are visual motif throughout the film 
• Glass windows are used as a visual motif throughout the film. This reflects how Kate is merely an observer of her reality, peeping at the dancers through glass windows, displaying her social distance. 
• Mirrors are also a visual motif. This also causes Kate to reflect upon her life. 
• Ballet sequences 

Sound:

• Amplified sounds, train screeching against the tracks, voices, laughter, whispering, Kate's inner voice
• Ballet music in the dance studios 
• Distorted, eerie and horrific sound, reflecting Kate's perspective 
• Frightening sound effects. For example, the time that Kate realises that the dance teacher has caught her peeping, there is a sudden sound effect. 
• Limited dialogue from Kate throughout the film

Camera-work:

• Many hand-held shots to reflect Kate's disturbed mind-set
• Steadicam, to capture smooth movements during the ballet sequences

Editing:

• Fast- paced- It will be reflective of Kate's panic and how she jumps to negative conclusions. 
• Jump cuts 
• Slow-paced editing- As the film continues and Kate becomes more calm, the pace begins to slow down, particularly through the ballet sequences. 
• Montage editing- Depicting the Kate's mundane cleaning routine in the dance studio, everyday from 9-6. 

Characters:

• Kate (protagonist)
• Kate's mother Leslie
• The dance teacher at the dance company

Main character's goals:

• To audition for the local ballet production 
• To get rid of her anxiety 
• To become free of her mother's voice and live independently 

Themes: 

• Critical parent 
• Anxiety 
• Freud and the the unconscious 
• Reality and illusion- Kate is under the illusion that her inner voice, belongs to herself