Synopsis

The story sets off within a Chinese country road where a young man gets on a bus called, Bus 44. Bandits board the bus demanding money and depart the bus taking the female bus driver. The young man doesen't hesitate to save the woman but unfortunately gets a cut from a bandit. Once the bandits flee the bus driver denies the young man boarding the bus again despite his efforts to save her. Moments later, the young man encounters the police investigating a bus crash.

Video

Introduction

A dramatic short film, written and directed by Dayyan Eng. It was released in 2001 but shown in the USA in January 2002. This gripping story is short, shocking, and to the point, not a minute too long (or short for that matter) with a profound and disturbing statement of issues facing society. It has won multiple awards such as: Best Narrative Short Film at Florida Film Festival and Short Filmmaking Award - Honourable Mention at Sundance Film Festival.

What I enjoyed upon viewing this short film is simplicity of the storyline yet its effectiveness to engage the audience. I especially liked the fact that the director implemented a plot twist the audience would never expect, and neither would I. Not only that but the fact that this short film leaves many unanswered question just added to the reason why I found this short film very entertaining.

Characters

Within the entirety of the short film there were only 6 characters, out of a total of around 20, that really stand out. They all fit the story very effectively and played a role in how the viewer took away from the film. Additionally, some of these characters can fit into Propp's Narrative Theory, for instance, the young man is identified as the 'hero', the female bus driver is identified as the 'princess' and the main bandit would be distinguished as the 'villain'.

My Opinion

Character Pictures

Young Man

Driver

Main Bandit

 Police Officer

Location

This is where the story takes place on the outskirts of a small town, on a desolate country road. It is not certain where what town it is near or even what country it is even set in but it is safe to consider that the country the story sets in is Hong Kong.

This sets an calm, relaxed and  ambient mood for the audience as it captivates them to wonder what could happen next that could perhaps disrupt the peaceful setting. This can be linked to Todorov's Narrative Theory as the the peaceful setting, representing the equilibrium, will face a disruption.

Camera Shots

This long shot consists of the main protagonist crouching over the side of the road, waiting for his bus. This gives off the effect that he could be tired of waiting for the bus by the look of his face.

The reason why Dayyan Eng (the director) used this shot was that he wanted the audience to feel sympathy for the character, as a result this creates a bond between the viewer and the character.

This certain shot consists of the main protagonist and the bus, otherwise known as Bus 44, right in the middle of the screen. The shot itself is medium shot of the man over looking at the approaching bus.

This adds character to the young man and you can implement the rule of thirds within this shot. The bus is right in the middle of the shot and the man is towards the centre but is more to the left.

Camera Shots

This wide shot consists of all the passengers realising that the robbers are telling them to hand them all their money. This gives off the feeling that they are all shocked but mostly scared of what will happen.

This is effectively used by the director because Dayyan Eng wanted the audience to feel sympathy for the passengers. This is also linked with Todorov's Narrative Theory, more specifically the stage of realisation.

This is a two shot of both the bus driver and the main bandit. You can clearly see here that the female bus driver is intimidated by the alarming male bandit.

This is carefully executed by Dayyan Eng be he makes the audience feel empathetic for the bus driver.  Also, the fact that it's the male scaring the female adds a dimension onto this specific scene. Also, the director must of wanted the audience to build an impression of the bandit and feel heated towards him.

Mise en Scene

 This head and shoulders shot shows the young mans attire is business but has a casual element to it due to the fact he is wearing light grey chinos. He's also seen holding a cigarette in his hand. That could help build an impression for the audience to see and perhaps this choice of clothing could represent is personality and foreshadow what he might do later on during the short film.

This long shot consists of the second bandit kicking down onto the main protagonist. I admire how the director used the suns natural lighting, this adds a fundamental aspect within this scene. Not only that but the location there are set in when they fight this provides another perspective to the audience an imprint of this scene to leave with when they carry on to finish this short film.

Sound

In the beginning, when it shows an establishing shot, natural non-diegetic sounds (for e.g. birds and crickets chirping) can be heard. Seconds later, it crosscuts to the bus and the engine running, this gives the viewer an insight of whats happening and what else could happen, It gives the viewer a sense of curiosity and a drive to carry on watching till the end.

Towards the end of the short film, when the young man get kicked off from the bus, slow-paced, beaty and non-diagetic background music is played.

The reason to why Dayyan Eng chose to use this style of music especially at a scene like this was to perhaps allow the audience to comprehend what just happened within the story.

Director Techniques

Upon viewing this short film, what I specifically liked what the director done was that out of the blue, the bus driver did not let the young man despite that he made an effort to help her. 

This is quite a shock for the audience to see and no one would of expected this to happen, this is quite clever from the director to use since having this in the story would imprint this short film into the minds of he audience.

Furthermore, having this scene is highly remarkable from the director to do, in a way, playing with human emotions to enhance the audiences viewing experience.

Throughout the entirety of this short film, there were many notable points of interests worth mentioning. In there beginning there was the young man boarding the bus. Later on there was the bandits boarding and demanding money, there was the scene where there was a defiant passenger who got beaten up from a bandit. Another point of interest was when the no one offered to join the young man saving the woman. Next was when the bus driver denied the young man to board the bus. Finally, the last point of intent was when the young man found out that the bus had suffered a crash 

Points of Interest

The Ending

When the film comes to an end, the young man get a ride from a stranger but not before long the car comes to a halt due to some police officers investigating a bus crash.

When the young man overhears the police officer describing how many people died, the young man looks stunned but then cracks a smile, this is also the last camera shot of the short film. This must have been used by the director with this specific shot to make sure the audience leave the short film with an impact of this short film.

This is very confusing for the audience to witness as the young man makes a smile. This leaves many unanswered questions such as: How did the bus crash?, was the bus crash accidental or deliberate and why did the young man crack a smile at the end of the short film.

Editing

During the short film, just after the young man gets kicked off the bus, a montage is used. This is used because it is to indicate to the audience that time is passing and the location is changed. Also, this could be used to create a sense of curiosity for the audience to get engaged to the short film.

In addition, the close up of the female bus driver is prolonged into a long take used. This means that the close up consists for a long amount of time. I can be sure to assume that Dayyan Eng used this to spark an emotional reaction from the audience and build up tension for the audience to the point where they have to know what happens next. Furthermore, this creates a lin between character and viewer and creates the feeling of empathy for the character after her encounter with the main bandit.