DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004) image analysis

This scene from DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004) is part of the montage in the opening credits. It is subtly focussing on the films links to terrorism which was prominent in America at the time as the film was made three years after 9/11. This ties into US context and the Cultural Dominant Ideology of America’s paranoia about Muslims. The link to Muslims is obvious as there are mosques in the background of the image which can be identified through the minarets on top of the buildings. The reporter is also talking about the fact that the zombie virus has spread from the Middle East. The virus according to this version of DAWN OF THE DEAD is referenced as terrorism spreading through America which will create fear in the audience of 2004.

The pixelated image shows the use of a satellite phone to broadcast the footage which is generally used when in countries such as the Middle East where there isn’t any signal to broadcast clear, live image. This again emphasises the link to terrorism. There is a religious war subtext throughout the film which is linked to some of the main characters not being religious because of what is happening to them. The parallel music (“The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash) that is playing throughout the opening credits is about “judgment day” which links to the film's tagline “When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth”. This focusses on the Old Testament of Christianity which is again another link to religion and links to the story of the film.