'Gattaca' Trailer Deconstruction

Gattaca’s trailer (a 2min 26 theatrical trailer/ no teaser available) begins with a montage of News reports and relative imagery all on reproductive technologies. These 17 seconds act to bring the audience from the present day into the social future of the film. It aims to set up the plot premise. These ideas of technology extremism tampering with something as natural as childbirth plays on audience fear and highlight the existence of these technologies already within our society, creating realism and belief in the film.

There are blue tinted close cut shots of a reporter figure that speaks and stares intensely in the direction of the audience. The trailer begins with one clear sentence (“Genetics. What does it mean?”)after which numerous voices are over-layed and echoing. This footage is inter-spliced with news articles (with close ups on keywords or phrases, chemical diagrams, biology videos of fertilisation and blood tests, shots of laboratories, DNA coding and babies (an extreme close up with focus on the eyes). There is fast pace editing throughout this sequence which gets faster using sideswipe and fade transitions.  The sequences builds to a climax and with a sound bridge, a crashing noise, it cuts to white. 

What follows is a low angle establishing tilt of white curved staircases introducing a sense of minimalism which is often associated with representations of the future. A voice over begins and speaks over key moments in the trailer to establish the complex narrative. Key phrases such as “genetic engineering”, “not too distant future”, “what you capable of achieving”, “success determined by science”, “divided by the standards of perfection”, “only chance” and “borrowing someone else’s” identify the key themes and plot.

Short clips of science research and laboratories are prevalent throughout, as is the motif of identification. Close ups on blood drops, hair, saliva tests, fingerprinting and Gattaca’s ID database show the significance of genetic clarification and allocation within a genetic hierarchy. A motif running through the trailer is the recurring image of the blue ID screen identifying the individual (the protagonist) as VALID or INVALID to highlight his dual identity and evasion of prejudice in order to attain his dream. The shot where a newly born baby is tested for disease and predicted life expectancy is shocking and raises strong emotions in the audience, not least sympathy for the protagonist.

Physical aptitude test shots like that of the anti-gravity test ball, swimming, pull ups and running machines show a focus of physical prowess which is contrasted with the protagonist who is seen for the first time briefly at 31 seconds.

Romance theme is introduced halfway through the trailer by showing shots of the protagonist and Irene alone together in various places as well as revealing the kiss scene.

Numerous shots of cleaning, scanning and the protagonist’s stringent washing pattern synchronous with the phrase “Any cell from any part of your body can betray you…” creates tension and impresses the difficulty of the protagonists challenge. Also heightening the tension is the argument between the protagonist and his friend which further explores the narrative premise and highlights the characters’ fears, “They will recognise me” is a line of shouted dialogue.

Action and conflict shots increase the pace of the trailer towards the end of the trailer. The protagonist punching a police officer/guard, running down a darkened side street, yelling in pain, the friend dragging himself up the stairs, a Detective investigating, doors slamming and the last shout is of the protagonist’s brother yelling his name. These shots are used to build the momentum of the trailer and give a sense powerful main conflict within the plot. The shots are short enough, though, to not give too much away.

The trailer fades in an image of the protagonist as he looks up in a reactive shot and the actors name [Ethan Hawke], followed by a similar image of Uma Thurman. The actor’s names are used to add gravitas to the film as they are fairly well known.

The title board fades in from black with a split screen image of half a magnified, blue tinted cell and a red/orange image of Saturn. These pictures together create a full circle and yet are opposites both is actual size and meaning within the film. The white title fades in over this image and the voice speaks directly to the audience “Welcome to Gattaca” inviting them further into the world of the film. The screen cuts to black again to show the tagline “There is no gene for the human spirit” which sums up the ambience and message of the film.