Question

In Kill Bill Vol.1, why is the film editing not edited in linear chronological order? How does editing in a non linear manner affect

the viewer?

Answer 1

One of Quentin Tarantino’s styles in the opening scene of Kill Bill: Volume 1 is the non-linear narrative. This is when the narrative is disjointed, a technique used in film to portray events out of chronological order. It is used to show that the narrative does not follow the direct causality pattern of the events featured. Quentin Tarantino does this to mimic the structure and recall of human memory, in Kill Bill’s case, the character’s memory played by Uma Thurman. Tarantino also uses non-linear narrative to narrate another story inside the main plot-line, in this case, Uma Thurman’s past which is gradually explained to the audience through flashbacks, throughout the film.

The opening shot is important for the story because it’s a flash back. The film starts off with Tarantino’s non-linear narrative, using a flash back. This is obvious through the black and white editing. Tarantino could have done this because he wanted to get the audience to think about reasons as to what may have happened to her and ask these questions – What happened to her? Who did this? Why is she in a wedding dress? Etc. It gives the audience their own imagination and keeps them asking questions. These questions are answered the more you watch the film.

Tarantino uses editing techniques to establish the relationship between the bride (Black Mamba) and Vernita Fox (Cooperhead) through 10-15 frozen frames of Vernita’s reaction. It is a very subtle touch that helps you see the shock she is experiencing in seeing Black Mamba in her home. Even the use of the home with its art deco style and bright colours, as well as Tarantino making a point in letting the audience know the home is in Pasadena which is known for its art cinema and yuppie style, as well as its wealth of Asian restaurants and martial arts studios and actors, seem to have purposely been driven into the film. Tarantino’s use of jump cuts and split screens that seemed to be perfectly executed seemed to help the audience feel every aspect of this film, as we see it shot from different angles with invisible edits that make you feel as if you are seeing this scene in one continuous and flawless shot.