screen Snowscapes

Pollyanna Roberts, Deputy Editor,

SNOW is an incredible natural phenomenon, it incites excitement and joy, as hordes of people flock to their windows at ungodly hours in the morning to capture the snow fall before the onslaught of rush hour destroys it. In cinema, this natural phenomenon is used as a tool by many directors to embellish the environment and circumstance of a scene or scenario. Snow impacts mood and feeling and can make or break a story; it has the potential to be a useful and interesting plot device.

When Exeter was hit by that bizarre snow storm a few weeks ago, my mind instantly drew back to a franchise that I often associate with snow and the feeling of comfort and joy. For me, snow is directly associated with Harry Potter, more specifically, the trip to Hogsmeade in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. As a Potterhead, I have always wanted to go to Hogsmeade and visit all the shops and explore, but when it is covered in snow, it has a warm feel that only enriches the environment.

Discusses Snowscapes In Film

more power through the use of music; The Philosopher’s Stone’s iconic Christmas scene is accompanied by John Williams’ beautiful music ‘Christmas at Hogwarts’, which perfectly encapsulates the childlike joy and innocence associated with the snowy season.

In The Prisoner of Azkaban Harry (under the cover of his invisibility cloak) en gages in a snowball fight with Draco and his band of ruffians. This scene, accompanied by the raucous laughter of Hermione and Ron, is another fun and joyful sequence that human ises our wizard ing heroes; they have ordinary fun like the rest of us muggles.

Snow has connotations of joy and festivity and when this sequence plays, I share these same feelings. This comforting feeling gains

However, as fans are aware, Harry Potter er turn after the tragic death of Cedric Diggory at the end of The Goblet of Fire. After this change in atmosphere and tone, and as the imposing threat of Voldemort sweeps through

Hogwarts, the use of snow is now manipulated to spark terror and suspense. The snow, rather than igniting the flame of joy and nostalgia in its viewers, spreads a coldness through us. Here, I am referring to the often-overlooked scene in The Deathly Hallows Part 1, where Hermione and Harry visit the grave of his late parents in Godric’s Hollow. The snow here doesn’t create a warm feeling, it is sharp and biting; we share in the sadness that engulfs Harry in this moment. The snowy woods which the trio inhabit for this film further accentuates this sadness and lifelessness. The snow kills the flowers, the nature around them, it freezes the lake — unlike the earlier films, this is a place not of life, but death. Snow is used as a tool of fear throughout cinema, such as in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining The Overlook Hotel is absolutely gigantic, but it