Roland Bartes' Five Codes: Forest Gump

1.  Identify the key actions within the opening - what kinds of actions are included and how is the narrative moved forward?


The main focus of the title sequence at the beginning of the film is on this white feather which is falling from the sky into a town below. This is captured like a journey. During this journey the feather has to contend with the wind which sends it shooting upwards, the shoulder of a man who is crossing the road, go over one car and then contend with the wind and exhaust from another car before landing at, who we can presume is the hero's, feet. This suggest that the film is one of a journey through life as the feather is presented as a symbol of a journey. Our hero then picks up the feather, seems to analyse it and then puts it inside a book which he reveals from his suitcase, this signifies that the feathers journey has been turned into a story. The page that he puts the feather into has a large illustration of the sky on it so it couldn't be more relevant. He seems to be sitting on the bench waiting for something and doesn't get up as the bus stops to get on it.

2.  Identify the enigma codes within the opening - what kinds of questions are posed and how is the audience meant to read these codes?


Questions such as why is there a feather in the title sequence and what is its relevance to the film are posed when watching the opening to this film. These questions are posed straight away by the audience which then lead to branch of questions such as is the feather there just to introduce the main character? does it show what is to come in this film? or is it just there as a nice filming technique so that titles can be put in before introducing the character and making time? Also many questions such as why is this man just sitting there with a suitcase? what is he waiting for? who is the present of chocolates for? why are his shoes so dirty but he's wearing a clean suit? what is the relevance of him putting the feather in his book? is it a scrapbook? and what is in his suitcase? This engages the audience into the story which will hopefully explain these questions. 


3.  Identify key characters and think about what they represent in the opening


There is only one character of relevance or attention at the beginning of this film. Forest Gump. I think that the feather however is supposed to represent him, show that he has been on a journey, that he is a free spirit and maybe even that he is a simple person with a big story to tell. We can tell that this character has been on a journey by seeing his muddy shoes and the possible souvenirs in his suitcase. He is indicated at being the main focus of the story especially with the title 'Forest Gump'.

4. Interpret the cultural codes in the opening.  What kind of knowledge is being drawn on? social/historical/political/art and culture etc.  Highlight the 3 most important references in the opening that help with audience understanding.


1) We can tell this is small-town America due to the amount of trees churches, the clothing styles of the pedestrians, the style of the cars and the styles of the buildings. This tells the audience that this is possibly the main characters home town.
2) We can guess that the beginning of the film is set in the early nineties or late eighties due to the style of clothing and cars. This may indicate to the viewer that the film is about the times before this one.
3) The feather is used to represent freedom to some extent as well as a journey with the music which complements it in the background and the feathers movement, which is graceful and random, going where the wind takes it :)  

5.  Identify key themes and analyse how they are presented visually/technically.


Freedom: Represented by the feather, moving with the breeze, falling at the feat of our hero and into the book, as if it were meant to be. The music helps to back this movement being free and peaceful as well as quite emotional.
A Journey/ story, the life of this man: Also represented by the feather dodging obstacles to reach its destination like every narrative, obstacles must be passed to reach an end to a story, in this case as the story of the feather falling comes to an end the tale of Forest Gump's story begins.


It's amazing what you can suggest about a film by just using a feather!