Searching (2018) directed by Aneesh Chaganty

This type of text is called screenlife or computer screen film. This is a type of visual
storytelling where all the events are shown on a computer, tablet or smartphone
screen. It became popular in the 2010s with the growing impact of the internet. These
texts are often presented through one character’s subjective point of view, and we are
guided by that character’s use of their cursor. Everything we see on the screen is
presented to us in real-time, as though we are experiencing the world with the
character. This is similar to the documentary film style called cinema verité, which
translates to ‘cinema of truth’.

Note that all traditional features of filmmaking still apply here. Scriptwriting will
include dialogue and written text, there are conscious choices in shot sizes, camera
angles and camera movement (e.g. zooming and panning), setting is conveyed through
different ways (e.g. time and operating system), there is diegetic and non-diegetic
sound for effect, and the shots and sequences have been deliberated edited with
transitions.

Journal Writing

Write an initial reflection on the film Searching.

• What did you enjoy about the film?
• What did it make you think about?
• What key issues did it raise about our use of and reliance on technology?
• What are some advantages and disadvantages of technology?

Crime Fiction/Thriller/Mystery

Crime fiction is often thought of as a detective story and can include aspects of
mystery and thriller. They are often very suspenseful as we follow a detective as they
learn the facts around the case and deduce what happened. Facts are presented fairly
to the reader and there are gaps that we need to fill and connect, just like the
detective character. These are important features to know and remember, because
we will also study a crime fiction text in Year 12.

Fill in the table with examples from the film Searching.

Feature of Crime Fiction Example from the film

Involves a mysterious death or a

crime to be solved.

Includes a close circle of suspects.

The central character either is a

detective or acts like a detective,
and eventually solves the mystery
by logical deduction.
 We follow the detective as they
attempt to solve the mystery – we
learn facts about the case as they
do.

Suspects and their motives are

weighed and evaluated.

Clues and evidence are discovered

and investigated.

There are gaps in the story that we

must slowly connect.

There is foreshadowing, including

clues suggesting possible
outcomes.

There are red herrings, a kind of

foreshadowing clue that leads us to
false conclusions.

There is some violence.

The crime is solved and the

resolution is satisfying.

Reveals darker aspects of society

and human nature.

Opening Sequence (Montage: 00:00 – 06:15, Opening scenes: 06:15 – 12:40)

The film begins with a montage that is both a summary and a record of Margot’s life
to date. It helps introduce us to the main characters, whilst also establishing some of
the film’s main concerns about creating a digital footprint.

These questions will help you analyse the opening montage and exposition and how
the director, Chaganty, has engaged the audience with film techniques. Note that you
still need to identify shot sizes and angles when relevant, even though they are often
presented through a screen.

1. The film starts by showing David clicking on the Windows 'start' button. How
does this metaphorically set up the screenlife style of the film? How does the end
of the film tie back to this opening?
2. What do we learn about the family? How are we positioned to feel about the main
characters, David and Margot Kim? What do we learn about the brother in this
scene that is relevant later?
3. How is diegetic and non-diegetic sound used in the opening scenes of the film to
convey different moods? How do they shift over time at this point and why?
What mood does the montage end on and how does this establish a key conflict
in the text?
4. How does the film use screens in the opening? Identify some examples of apps
and websites and explain how they are used. What is the effect of this style of
storytelling?
5. What ideas about our use of and reliance on technology do you think Chaganty is
trying to establish in the opening scenes?

PETAL:

How does the opening sequence of Searching convey the complex relationship the
Kim family has with technology? Refer to at least three filmic techniques
throughout your response.

Sample point sentence:

The opening sequence of Searching uses visual storytelling techniques to convey

how the relationship the Kim family has with technology is complexly both positive
and negative.

Inciting incident (16:30-18:08)

This is the moment when a key conflict is revealed – Margot has been lying to him,
triggering an urgency to David’s concern.

1. Summarise what happens in this scene.

2. How is tension created by visual and sound techniques? Make sure you refer to
camera movement – when it is static and when it pans/zooms.

Key scene – climax of Act I (20:22 – 23:15)

The climax of Act I initially sets a false expectation of relief before reveals the true
complication of the film – Margot is missing.

1. How does Chaganty use sound and visual techniques to build the climax of Act 1?

Key scene (25:35 – 45:37)

David starts investigating his daughter’s life to try to solve the mystery of her
disappearance.

1. Explain how David uses technology to investigate his daughter’s life.

2. What discoveries does he make? What are some of the clues found about Margot
and some hints about her disappearance?
3. Explain what Chaganty might be saying about our digital footprint, privacy, and
online safety.
 Key scene (45:38 – 48:14)

1. How does Chaganty draw attention to this scene in contrast to the previous
scenes?
2. What is foreshadowed in this scene?

Key scene – Rising tension (48:15 – 1:00:55)

1. What is the significance of the close-up shot of the shut-down pop-up? How is
this used as a narrative device? How does it link to the way Chaganty structures
his film?
2. The director introduces news media into the film at this point. How does this
contribute to the building of tension? Think about the tone and style of the news
reports and the sensationalising of news for entertainment.
3. What are some clues that suggest something is not right about the investigation
and the disappearance of Margot?
4. Once the disappearance of Margot becomes public, the focus of the film moves
away from just David and the detective’s perspectives and introduces the
perspectives of different members of the public. What is the director saying about
the way people respond to and exploit personal stories through the media and
internet?
5. How does Chaganty develop tension in scene where David discovers Margot has
been secretly seeing his brother? (1:00:56 – 1:02:56)

Key scene – climax of Act II (1:02:56 – 1:10:15)

1. Why do you think Chaganty chose to use hidden surveillance cameras in this
scene? What does it remind you of? What is the effect of viewing this sequence
from this perspective?
2. There are a lot of Dutch angles in this scene. What effect does this have on you?
3. What do we learn through their conversation about Margot and David’s
relationship?
4. How does the director use visual techniques to balance the release of tension
from the initial conflict about Margot and her uncle with the rising tension of the
investigation?

Key scene – a twist (1:11:00 – 1:18:00)

1. What hints are there that the confession might not be authentic?
2. What is the impact of the cut to black after the news footage and the slow fade to
David’s face? What mood is created and what suggestions are there that the
investigation is not yet over?
3. How is make-up and lighting used in the video-call between David and Detective
Vick to visually represent the toll the investigation has taken on them?
4. What visual and sound techniques are used to show David’s discovery of the
Memorial One image?
5. What is the significance of Hannah Pardy’s question, ‘What’s YouCast?’ at the end
of this sequence?
 Key scene – revelations and the next twist (1:18:00 – 1:30:46)

1. Analyse the visual and film techniques used to show David finally realising
Detective Vick is the antagonist.
2. What is the effect of watching Margot’s funeral and Detective Vick’s arrest from
the perspective of MemorialOne livestream? How is this an example of dramatic
irony?
3. During Detective Vick’s confession sequence, how does Chaganty use cross-cuts
and inter-cuts to complement the detective’s confession? How does this
sequence link to earlier parts of the film?
4. What issues related to online safety and privacy is Chaganty raising in the way
Robert is presented?
5. How does Chaganty build tension and suspense for the final resolution?
6. What is the effect of the fade to white?

Final scene - the denouement (1:30:50 - end)

1. We experience the film almost entirely from David’s point of view. Here the film
shifts to Margot’s point of view. What is the effect of this on the audience?
2. In what ways does the film’s end parallel the start of the film? In what ways has
David and Margot’s relationship returned to a state of normalcy?
3. How do the final shots link back to the opening?

Discussion/Reflection Questions

1. List all the digital media used in the film to tell the story.
2. How does the film depict the role of technology in the relationships between
David and Margot and other characters?
3. What are the positive and negative aspects of the characters' reliance on
technology for communication?
4. Explore the dynamics between David Kim and his daughter Margot. How does
their relationship evolve throughout the film?
5. Discuss the challenges and pressures faced by parents in the digital age in terms
of monitoring their children's online activities.
6. Analyse the concept of a digital footprint as portrayed in the movie. How do our
online activities leave traces, and what are the implications?
7. Discuss the balance between privacy and the need for transparency, especially in
the context of parental concerns.
8. Explore the role of social media platforms in the characters' lives. How do they
contribute to the plot, and what commentary does the film make about social
media culture?
9. Consider the real-world implications of the events in the movie. How plausible is
the scenario presented, and what does it say about the potential dangers of online
interactions.
 Film Techniques – Vocabulary list

This is just a reminder of key techniques. Please revise them if they are unfamiliar. You
will need to use this metalanguage in your analysis.

1. Camera Techniques 3. Editing

TYPE OF SHOT • Cut

• Long shot or establishing shot • Dissolve
• Full shot • Fade
• Medium shot • Montage
• Close up • Cross-cutting
• Extreme close up • Pairing
CAMERA ANGLE
• Overhead shot 4. Lighting
• High angle shot
• Eye level shot • Low key
• Point of view shot • High Key
• Low angle shot • Backlighting
• Undershot • Special lighting effects
• Dutch angle • Chiaroscuro
FILM SPEED
• Slow motion 5. Mise-en-scene
• Fast motion
CAMERA MOVEMENT • Framing
• Panning shot • Background
• Tracking shot or Dolly shot • Foreground
• Tilt • Composition
• Zoom • Production design (props, costumes,
FOCUS locations)
• Sharp focus • Colour palette
• Soft focus
6. Characterisation
2. Sound
• Dialogue
DIEGETIC SOUND • Actions and reactions
• Dialogue • Casting
• Music that is part of the story • Costumes
• Background noises • Relationships between characters
NON-DIEGETIC SOUND
• Soundtrack (music not in the story) 7. Other narrative elements
• Sound effects
• Voice over • Screenplay/ plot
• Symbols
• Motifs
• Point of view
• Cinema verité
• Mise en abyme