'The Bonsai Tree' Film Poster Ideas

'The Bonsai Tree' is a stylised British Japanese gangster film so to enhance my insight, I also looked at Japanese Yakuza film posters. 

Our main protagonist is a young woman who possesses a strong sense of self-determination so I looked at existing films that featured a strong female main character. Angelina Jolie has starred in many action films as a character who embodies similar beliefs and traits to our protagonist. I looked at the poster for 'Salt' to help stimulate ideas. 

 

One thing these posters have in common is the weapon the character is holding; the weapon helps establish power and authority as well as strength ang the genre. My initial poster is character based with only the main character in it. 

For my first idea, I intend to have the model's side profile as my focal image while holding a gun. The actors' names will be placed at the top and the tagline will overlay the model to show that this is possibly what she is thinking "How deep are your roots?" I have decided to make the font dark red because it is a deep colour and will resemble blood. The billing block will be placed at the bottom like in the majority of movie posters.

For my second idea, I wanted to showcase the bonsai tree icon so I drew smoke arising in the shape of a tree and the model wearing a bonsai tree necklace. I subverted conventions here because I placed the billing block at the top of the poster and below it is where I will put the main actress' name. 

Here are some Japanese/Oriental looking fonts that I may consider using from dafont.com

Out of my two ideas I think the first one will do a better job of communicating the genre because of the prop gun and trying to do the smoke effect on Photoshop for the second poster may be time consuming. I have come to the conclusion that the first idea will entice the audience because it is more visually and mentally engaging.