The above screenshot from Fire at Sea is taken from the scene of the film in which a Nigerian man and other refugees being processed are singing a song that tells the story of their journey.
Because the medium of the retelling is in the form of a song, it can be related to the broader theme of performance discusses previously in classes. Sung by refugees to the camera and the film’s audience, this song is a direct performance targeted at the viewer. It is more than a speech and is displayed in such a way as to stir emotions. Seeing that this is the goal of the film as a whole (stirring emotions and generating awareness for the conditions of refugees on the island), there should be no surprise as to why the film’s creators chose to include this scene in the final cut. It serves as a perfect example of performance within film, especially for a documentary.
Analyzing the shot in particular, the Nigerian man telling the group’s story is much closer to the camera compared to the rest of the singers. Taking approximately one quarter of the screen, he is the center of focus all while being at the side of the shot to simultaneously give the audience a feel of the rest of the room, along with the emotions and passion of the other refugees aboard.