Adele - Hello

Barthes’ codes

When the video begins, we can see that it has been filmed using a sepia filter, which is a semantic code that suggests sadness and the past. There is also lots of wind, which has connotations of loneliness.

• The video starts with a pull focus shot, that changes the focus from the dirty glass on the window to the single car coming down the lane. This are examples of the semantic code, as the dirty glass connotes decay and abandonment, and the lone car on the rode connotes loneliness.

When she gets inside the house, she removes the dust covers, which is part of a semiotic code, and symbolises she is unearthing the past and bringing back old memories.

• Throughout the video, she is seen talking on the phone. It is never specified who thses phone calls are to, therefore, the narrative is left open. This is an example f an enigma code, as it is a mystery who these phone calls are to and what they are about exactly.

• The chorus line “hello from the other side” connotes that she has moved on from being with the person the song has addressed to and is happy again.

• Todrov’s equilibrium theory can be applied to this music video. At the beginning of the video, it is implied that there has been a state of equilibrium for her, but it has been broken, which is implied by the condition that the place she is at is in. Her lyrics suggest that she has realised there has been a disequilbrium, as she is directing them at her former partner (“I was wondering after all these years if you would like to meet”)

• By the end of the song, some sense of equilibrium is made again, as the argument has ended, however, they have split up because of it so in some ways, there has not been a restoration of equilibrium.