Tom Tykwer's Run, Lola, Run is a film that consists of such intricate character relationships and complex cinematic techniques that it is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of film industry (Empire). Tykwer uses countless camera techniques to emphasize the intensity of scenes and to embellish the story and character development. I will explore the cinematic techniques that were effectively used to emphasize various themes and to implicitly foreshadow future events in the film. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The story of Run Lola Run predominantly revolves around the concept of time. Although the concept of “time limit” is introduced early in the film, Tykwer often reiterates its importance and the power time has on characters and plot. This theme is first introduced in the prologue when the camera takes an extreme close-up of the hands of a brass clock. The fast ticking of the clock and the lighting were particularly exaggerated to perceptively convey the importance of time. Viewers are not yet aware of the significant influence that time has, so Tykwer incorporates this theme to also foreshadow the fact that both Lola's actions and all of the characters in the film are affected by time. It's fascinating and almost funny to look back and realize that the bizarre introduction was actually foreshadowing an important aspect of the film. The motif of time is often reiterated throughout the film in an indirect or direct way. In the prologue there is a scene where the lighting is sober and muffled while the crowd film fast forwards. I interpreted this as an abstract and oblique way of symbolizing that sometimes time can be so disconcerting and challenging that people tend to get "lost in the moment." It might also suggest that although time is introduced as something exceptionally crucial to the story, many characters behave as if time is infinite and of little importance. The clock motif is directly related to the concept of time. Throughout the film, the camera takes a close-up of the clock in Lola's room, the clock above the phone booth, and the clock in the casino. While these shots are simple, the cinematic techniques (e.g., quick transitions) used emphasize the urgency of the moment and constantly remind viewers that time impacts everything. I think Tom Tykwer's use of visual effects and camera angles not only effectively portrays how time is one of the main themes of the film, but also foreshadows the importance of this theme throughout the story. The clock and the spiral motifs (inspired by Hitchcock's Vertigo) are recurring and complementary concepts as they metaphorically represent destiny and time throughout the film. At the beginning of the story we are unfamiliar with the game-like plot, so Tykwer incorporates the spiral motif to foreshadow it. The spiral motif represents Lola's state of mind, the constant activity in the film, and the fact that the story works like a game. This recurring concept is first introduced in the "titles" when animated Lola runs through a spiral tunnel. In the first “shot,” Tykwer uses a camera angle similar to a 'point of view shot' to indirectly tell viewers that the spiral of the Spirale Café, which Manni looks at from the phone booth, is there for symbolic purposes. This spiral not only foreshadows that the “game” is about to begin, but also represents the emotional state they are in both.