Wallander Opening Sequence Analysis

Introduction:
I am going to explain why Wallander is a good opening sequence through the areas of mise-en-scene, editing, camera work and sound. A opening sequence normally consists of continuity editing; credits and titles; introduction to setting, characters and events which is all used to make the audience want to watch on.

Mise-En-Scene:

Firstly, the use of low key lighting when the girls are in the police car gives the audience the assumption that the girls are evil/immoral because the rest of the scene is high key lighting. Furthermore, because of what the girls have done, by killing the innocent man, it makes the audience feel even worse as the girls show no emotion towards their actions. 
Another way mise-en-scene is used is through the use of costume which for the older girl is all black and she has a red highlight in her hair. The black could represent her personality of being evil and immortal, and the red highlight could show she is dangerous, shown by how she murdered the man. 
The use of props also helps the audience understand what type of person the girl is as she has a razor blade around her neck and a knife in her hand which are both lethal weapons. This could represent her personality as she is very rebellious which is shown by her killing the man. 
Lastly, location is used to contradict what happens because as it is in the countryside, it is stereotyped to be peaceful which isn't what happens in the opening scene as a murder is involved.

Editing:
The use of editing in the opening sequence of Wallander, such as how the credits fade in and out creates a tense atmosphere. This is done to keep the audience wanting to watch on, as it makes the audience asking questions, for example, what happens to the girls? Etc.
Cross-cutting is also used between the man in the car and the two girls, this is done too show the three characters are connected which leads to questions being asked by the audience and making them wanting to watch on. For example, the audience could be wondering why they killed the man. Also creates a shocking effect as we don't expect the girls to have killed him, which also makes the audience want to keep watching, to see why they did it.
Also the use of an eye line match from the police man to the two girls in the police car shows us who he is talking about and suggest to us they are now trapped and creates the sense of disgust as you wouldn't normally expect two teenage girls to murder a man for money.
Lastly, the slow pace editing of shots in the opening sequence suggest that because of their actions it will have a long-lasting effect on the rest of their lives, and also the man's family lives etc. Also shows the brutality of what they have done, which makes the audience feel even more disgusted towards the girls.

Sound:

The use of music when the credits appear is soft and emotional which is contrasting the event and could make the audience more intrigued.
Also the use of a fast sinister sound when zooming into the girls could represent the murder as they haven't really thought about their actions over a little bit of money. Also makes the audience more alert straight away as the sound creates a tense atmosphere. The use of another sharp, sinister sound is used when the girl drops the knife, this could make the audience feel uncomfortable and suggest the importance of the knife because its a dangerous weapon.
Lastly, the soft music in the car when showing the man being murdered, contradicts the scene but also suggests to us the man's personality and how cold-blooded the girls were towards him.

Camera Work:
The use of an establishing shot at the beginning of the sequence shows the audience the location and where it is set, but contradicts the murder as the country side is normally seen as a peaceful and quiet place.
Furthermore, the use of a close up to the girls face shows us they have no emotion towards the murder they have just committed and suggests to the audience their personality of being brutal and cold blooded.
Lastly, another close up was used of the man's chain and keyring which could suggest his importance as he has a well paid job but also his innocence as he did nothing wrong.