Constructing evaluative meaning across modes: a case study of Pon tu pensamiento en mí

This study investigates the multimodal construction of evaluative meaning in Cuban fiction film, focusing on Arturo Sotto's Pon tu pensamiento en mí (1995). Grounded in the theoretical integration of multimodal discourse analysis and Relevance Theory's echoic account of interpretive meaning, the research addresses a central question: how do linguistic, prosodic, kinesic, and cinematic modes coalesce to construct layered evaluative meanings that guide viewer interpretation without explicit linguistic marking? Employing ELAN annotation software for systematic multimodal transcription, the study analyzes six key scenes from the film, coding verbal content, prosodic features, facial expressions, gestures, gaze patterns, camera movements, and editing rhythms. The findings reveal that evaluative meaning in this film emerges through systematic multimodal configurations rather than through any single semiotic channel. Three primary configuration patterns are identified: (1) modal convergence, wherein all modes align to reinforce a consistent evaluative stance; (2) modal dissonance, wherein conflicting cues create interpretive tension that invites active viewer engagement; and (3) modal hierarchy, wherein certain modes serve as primary carriers of evaluative meaning while others function as reinforcing or modulating layers. The study further demonstrates that ELAN's layered annotation capabilities enable precise temporal mapping of modal co-occurrence, revealing the intricate choreography of meaning-making across semiotic resources. These findings contribute to the growing field of multimodal film analysis by offering both methodological innovations and theoretical insights into how cinematic texts construct complex evaluative meanings that transcend the limitations of verbal language alone. The study concludes by proposing the concept of "multimodal evaluative choreography" as a framework for understanding how filmic texts orchestrate semiotic resources to achieve particular interpretive effects.