Tykwer’s way of filming the sequence, Run Lola Run is extremely expressive and develops particular meanings and effects to adds to the story. Run Lola Run incorporates a variety of visual techniques. It is quite apparent that there is not a lot of dialogue. The story is told through mostly images and sounds. Film techniques such as diegetic sound, long shots, and close up shots are utilized to convey meaning and add to the story. These techniques help develop the symbols and motifs which are used to emphasize the significance of the theme of time.
This sequence is very heavy in the usage of different kinds of sounds. The most important is the diegetic sound of the film. The diegetic sounds help develop the idea of time quickly passing by. The concept of time is apparent from the opening sequence in which the viewer sees and hears the large pendulum of the clock moving loudly from side to side. This is supported with the diegetic sound of a ticking clock and very speedy paced techno music. This clearly draws attention to the fact that time will play a fundamental part in the story. There sounds of the ticking clock and dominos falling quickly allude to the idea of the limited amount of time Lola has to save Manni. The clock and sounds help highlight her battle against time to save her partner. The ticking sounds are constant reminder of how time is running out and it creates a sense of urgency to succeed at her quest.
Run Lola Run uses many camera shots such as tracking shots and close up shots to show pace, emotion and location to add to the narrative. A variety of close up shots are used by Tykwer to demonstrate the power this theme of time and urgency has over the characters. Extreme close ups are used in certain scenes. For example, when Lola gets off the phone with Manni, there is a close up shot. This shot is greatly utilized to display the emotions on the face due to a situation. It shows her worry, distress, and frantic behavior at that point in time. This helps to the viewer get insight into the character’s inner mind and help convey that she is willing to do whatever it takes at this point in time to save her partner. During the running scene at the end of the clip, there are extreme close up shots on Lola’s face that convey her emotions of fear and anxiety.
Throughout the sequence, many long shots are used while Lola is running. Long shots are used to give the spectator the notion of the physical environment and context of the action. The Long shot is used to show all standing people, entire objects in a relation with the environment they are in. Lola is shown in long shot in the scene when she is running in order to show both she and her position in the streets. In the scene where Lola hits the woman with baby carriage, it is shown in a long shot to highlight both Lola’s running and her hitting the woman. These long shots help highlight the pace at which Lola is running and conveys a sense of urgency and panic against the racing clock. This adds to the meaning of the film by reaffirming how Lola is in a race against time and is willing to get past any obstacle in her environment that is in the way of her reaching her goal. Her sole focus is saving Manni before it is too late.
Film techniques such as diegetic sound, long shots, and close up shots are utilized to convey meaning and add to the story. These techniques help develop the symbols and motifs which are used to emphasize the significance of the theme of time.
