The killing

• • the killings success meant it was remade for the US market and more European tv has now been broadcast by the BBC. Channel 4 is also broadcasting European hits now too
• the killing

  • starts in the woods- girl running, covered in blood, wearing barely any clothing
  • low-key lighting
  • rural landscape
  • wintery
  • early in the morning
  • muted colours
  • female protagonist- Sarah Lund- mother and wide figure before set up as investigator
• the killing

  • danish crime drama initially broadcast in Denmark 2007 under the title ‘Forbrydelsen’- meaning the crime in danish
  • series 1 follows the investigation into the murder of a teenage girl and focuses on the lead detective in the case, Sarah Lund
  • series is a long-form drama and the investigation provides the main narrative arc
  • first season broadcast in UK in 2011 on BBC4. viewing figures doubled with season 2 later in 2011 and maintained audience for season 3 broadcast in November 2012
• the killing

  • won many international awards including BAFTA best international tv programme and international Emmy for ‘best drama series‘ and ‘best performance by an actress‘ in 2008 after initial broadcast run become a global success and shown in over 100 countries. remade in USA by Fox and broadcast by AMC and later Netflix. American version relocated story to Seattle but maintained basic story of danish version
• the killing

  • 20hour long episode- series 1
  • each episode represents a day
  • the family- emotional impact and their attempts to understand
  • local politics- politician Troels Hartman campaigning to be mayor
  • detectives personal life- impact of investigation on Lund
  • number of storylines that run parallel
• the killing

  • episode 1- exposition for audience and creates equilibrium for each of the storylines
  • story begins in media res- young woman running in forest
  • anchorage created by programmes title and intercutting of action with title sequence- first scene is main disruption of narrative
  • disruption at start crates enigma
• opening scene- the killing

  • MES- dark, gloomy lighting. Nannas wearing minimal clothing. blood, vulnerable, fragility. boots and coat- ominal, threatening. flashlight- spotlight, searching/hunting. plane above- escape, links to Lund (she’s moving to Sweden), no one can see or help her. forest- trapped, isolated, gloomy, fairytales. blood- struggle, violence.
  • cinematography- close up side shot profile of Nanna- victim, princess, bloody injuries. long shot of Nanna- protective body language, fear. binary opposition- flashlight and darkness of forest- contrast of light and dark.
• opening scene- the killing

  • editing- sequence interrupted by inter titles- prolongs the suspense. in media res- starts in the middle of action- nanna running in forest, starts with disruption
  • sound- diegetic- footsteps, breathing, alpine, water= danger, tension. no dialogue. non diegetic- suspenseful orchestra music, drums reflect heart beats, high pitched sounds- feel nervous and scared
• Lund opposes gender stereotypes- her jumper
• the killing was broadcast before it was finished- actors were as unaware as the audience
• the killing

  • jointly funded by DR and ZDF enterprises
  • DR- public service broadcaster, owned and financed by danish government
  • DR1- mainstream, primary channel, broadcast in 2007
  • ZDF- German
• distribution- the killing

  • BBC4- niche, covers art and culture
  • alternative channel to mainstream
  • high cultural value
  • helps BBC fulfil its charter of ‘promotes education and learning‘ and ’bringing the world to the uk‘ and ‘stimulation of creativity and cultural experince‘
  • success of the killing was unexpected. led to BBC4 purchasing other non-English shows as well as channel 4 now has ‘Walter presents‘ online on-demand box sets
  • 2007- unusual to have non-English show, but global nature of media industries is making it easier to access and watch shows from all around the world
• Sarah Lund replaced by Jan Meyer- the killing

  • MES- picture of her family/son- he has picture of guns- traditional stereotypes. basketball hoop- childish. she’s trying to stop smoking- he comes in smoking. map and builders radio- industrial. wipes dust off picture of her son- reflects how she cares for him, she doesn’t have attention to detail. jan- zipped jumper and striped top. Sarah- ties hair up- seriousness, blue v-neck top, jeans. toy police car.
  • cinematography- predominately mid shot- typical for conversation. close up on props. hand held camera.
• Sarah Lund replaced by Jan Meyer- the killing

  • editing- shot reverse shot- he speaks, she speaks and so on- binary opposite between them.
  • sound- diegetic- stereo, rock music, guitar- typical masculine. Jan- “lets catch some villains“
• gender equality in the killing- positives

  • main character is female- Sarah Lund
  • Lund rebels and saves Theis
  • Lund in series 2- clearly respected in her position
  • Lund and Pernille find Theis first
• gender equality in the killing- negatives

  • Males have the power
  • men were in charge of Lund, they tell her what to do
  • Mayor is man, running mayor is man
  • females represented as fragile and scared- nanna, scared, powerless and running. Pernille- upset, stays at home. whereas Theis- goes out to find nanna, he's not scared
  • female is the victim, male is the villain- ‘crime porn‘
  • men don't take Lund seriously
  • exposure of breasts
  • Theis tells Pernille to ”calm down“
  • Lund considered to have breakdown
  • focus on Lund family suggests she should be at home
  • sex doll used to prank Lund
• the killing

  • protagonist is female, taking on traditional male role
  • representation of Lund can be post-feminist, reflective of increased gender equality in society
  • Lund resists traditional objectification- neutral costume, narrative role and personality
  • lunds mother- traditional femininity
• audience- the killing

  • audience expected to be active and work with show to receive expected gratifications
  • subtitles provide part of enjoyment- active, intellectual engagement
  • BBC4- audiences have specific expectations- justified into thinking it would offer something new or unconventional to genre
  • range of different gratifications
  • curious BBC4 viewers
  • fans of crime drama
  • fans of Nordic Noir
  • people curious about danish culture
  • those who seek culture capital by accessing a critically lauded, subtitles tv series
  • people who seek a new and unusual tv experince
  • danish speakers
• audience- the killing

  • guardian ran week-by-week episode summary whilst it was being broadcast on BBC4
  • episode summaries- open for comments, audience can discuss recent events and share theories
  • community of fans established- shared discourse of ‘in-jokes’, grumbles and comments on topics e.g. lunds jumper
  • guardians maximised on high viewing figures- publishing lots of related content
  • free publicity provided
  • catch up on I-player
  • newspaper and show gain fro cultural capital generated by the other
  • crime dramas work on gratifications created by enigmas in narrative
• audience- the killing

  • mysteries offer cerebral pleasures for those who engage in narrative
  • long from crime dramas offer narrative surprises with twists to the plot and in characters actions
  • red herrings used to divert audience
  • restricted narrative creates mystery and suspense
  • deal in taboo content- element of voyeurism e.g. nannas terror, Theis‘ grief
  • characters emotional journeys provide vicarious pleasures
• gerbners cultivation theory- the killing

  • shows crime in a bad way- villain was fathers friend
  • crime is frequent and common
  • different examples of bad things e.g. rape and murder
  • popularity of crime drama means fans are often submerged into dark worlds
  • news and documentaries- focus on types of rare crimes so audiences think these happen more than they do
  • repeated viewing of violent imagery desensitises audience- dehumanise victims of crime or by glamourising crime
• gerbners cultivation theory- the killing

  • show development of story provides more in depth studies of place, character and motivation that some audiences may appreciate rather than fast paced storytelling
  • pleasures often intellectual
• appeal of Danes

  • British audience may be attracted to tv shoes set in Denmark that offers insight into danish cultures
  • landscape looks different but similar
• What is the original Danish title of the series "The Killing"?

  Forbrydelsen
• What type of broadcasting company is DR?


  Public service broadcasting company
• How is DR funded?


  By a combination of license fees and taxes from the public
• What is the remit of a public service broadcaster like DR?


  To promote diversity, national identity, and quality
• How does the show "The Killing" reflect Danish culture?


  It showcases Danish landmarks and culture through its locations
• How did the local Danish tourist board promote the series "The Killing"?


  By advertising tours of locations featured in the series
• What advantage does being a public service broadcaster give DR in terms of programming?


  It allows them to take more risks with their programming
• How many TV channels does DR operate?


  Three TV channels
• What is the name of the German company that helped produce "The Killing"?

  TDF
• Why are international co-productions becoming more common?


  They allow companies to share risks and finance
• How did casting popular actors affect the production of "The Killing"?


  It helped attract audiences and bring in pre-existing fan bases
• What was the significance of Sarah Lund's character in "The Killing"?


  Her popularity led to marketing materials focusing on her
• How did the release strategy for "The Killing" help build audience interest?


  By releasing episodes in two parts to drum up hype
• What role did social media play in the marketing of "The Killing"?


  There was limited marketing on social media
• On which channel was "The Killing" broadcast in the UK?


  BBC 4
• What is the remit of the BBC as a public service broadcaster?


  To inform, educate, and entertain while celebrating diversity
• How did the availability of "The Killing" on BBC iPlayer affect its audience reach?


  It allowed for a wider audience due to global availability