Casablanca

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMT
cwNDI5MjI1Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwODE4NDI2.
_V1._SY317_.jpg

1. One of the main things we talked about were the themes in Casablanca. They were lost love, honor, self-sacrifice in war, and romance within a chaotic world. A viewer can see these themes occurring from examples throughout the film. Rick Blaine is a good example of showing lost love. He met a women, Ilsa,  in Paris and immediately fell in love with her. Unfortunately, Ilsa thought her husband was dead, but later found out he was alive and left Rick. Without any explanation, only a letter, she left Rick. He ultimately felt betrayed and heartbroken. You can see this when Sam plays "As Time Goes By". That song is the only way he remembers his lost love. You see honor when Renault honors Stresser's commands. When Laszlo starts singing over the German's, Streesser tells Renault to shut down Rick's night club. Even thought Renault is friends with Rick, he still honors his major. Also when Rick has a gun pointed at Renault, Renault tips off Stresser about Ilsa and Laszlo's attempt to leave instead of calling the airport. This shows that Ranualt, again, has honored his country. Rick and Ilsa show that they made self-sacrifices in the war. Both Rick and Isla give up the person they love for the greater good. Rick sacrificed his freedom when he shoots Stresser. Renault could betray him and say that Rick did shoot him, but he doesn't. Additionally, his freedom is sacrificed when he doesn't go to America with Ilsa. Instead, he let Laszlo go. Lastly, Rick makes the ultimate self-sacrifice when he sold his club to Ferrari. The theme, romance in a chaotic world plays huge role in Casablanca.  Rick and Ilsa are both trying to get to America because Laszlo is a threat to Natzi Germany. They come to Rick's to buy exit visas. The Nazis are occupying Europe and Casablanca is the only exit point to Lisbon. Once you get to Lisbon, you are free. With all of this going on, Rick and Ilsa still love each other.

2. The article, The Music of Casablanca, by Timothy Scheurer from The Journal of Popular Film & television is about how Max Steiner put together music in Casablanca into a meaningful score that connected the political and romantic themes. Unlike previous films he worked on, Casablanca had music that was already built into the film and Steiner had to incorporate the composition. He had to include three songs: "As Time Goes By", "Deutschland Uber Alles", and "The Marseillaise." One of the problems he faced was coming up with original music that went along smoothly with the film. Because the film was set in Rick's Cafe, a typical nightclub, there always had to be music. The second challenge was composing and creating a pastiche score, musical work imitating a previous work, around Sam's musical numbers. Viewers of the film would find it odd if hits from the past or from their era were not performed. Another challenge was the song, "As Time Goes By." Steiner did not want the song in the film because he thought he could not write an original equal to that song. The song did stay because it was published in 1931 and it brought back the past. The song communicates a sense of longing nostalgia and it was really popular. It also represented a key relationship in the film. "Deutschland Uber Alles", and "The Marseillaise" were used to heighten the dramatic conflicts in the film. The songs, no doubt, work with the other film elements like acting and lighting.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NWrzP9mOVb4/
TUYWX2Yj6jIAAAAAAAAGos/
u7gu0FKL8fo/s1600/CasablancaPianoBaja.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIh7e-ykbeg/TWP7bz8ClSI/
AAAAAAAABvY/rJo8cFN0okY/s1600/Casablanca.jpg

3. This article relates to Casablanca because it is a very musical film. All the songs revolve around what happened or what is currently happening. In the film, characters literally demanded music to be played. For example, Ilsa says to Sam: "Play It" and Rick says to Sam: "If she can stand it, I can. Play It!" When Ilsa first asks Sam to play "As Time Goes By," Rick bursts out of his office and reprimands Sam for playing it. He is brought up short once he notices Ilsa. The viewers then realize this song represent some sort of unresolved conflict between Ilsa and Rick. Another aspect that viewers should notice is this song is never fully played and is fragmented. This shows that Ilsa and Rick's love is not completely fulfilled. On the other hand, the song is sung straight through when the film flashes back to Paris. It would make sense to hear the whole song during this sequence because that is when their relationship was happy. This song shows up again when Ilsa pulls a gun on Rick in order to get the letters. She is disarmed and explains why she didn't go to the train station, the song is very slow. The song speeds up when they embrace each other and kiss. This song played again because it suggests that  their lost love is possible again. Lastly, the singing of "The Merseillaise" is one of the most dramatic musical sequence in the film. Laszlo starts singing this at the same time the Germans are singing "Deutschland Uber Alles". This shows that the French are seeking freedom from the Nazis through singing patriotic songs.

4. With it's place in history, Casablanca was released during the perfect time. It aired in 1942 and this was when World War II was taking place. The director, Michael Curtiz, did this for a certain reason. During this time, the people had to deal with self-sacrifices. This movie gave them a reason to have patriotism toward their country. It also showed them that everyone was making sacrifices, not just them. Michael Curtiz wanted to make the public aware of what was going on around them and to keep their heads high. The over all directing by Michael Curtiz, was stunning. After all, Casablanca did win an Academy Award for best director. There were many simple shots like zooms, over the shoulder, and panning, but they did portray great importance. When the camera zoomed up on Rick's Cafe Americain, it shows that this place is of great importance. Inside Rick's, Curtiz uses a lot of shadows, especially the afterhours, to show there is something dark and mysterious going on. A minute observation that is pivotal, is when the ink from Ilsa's letter washed away in the rain. This means that Ilsa has faded away from Rick's life. Another crucial aspect, is the music. Most of the music is sound disconnected and becomes sound connected when the viewer sees whomever is playing the instrument. Overall, this film hits home when it successfully connects to how viewers felt during this time.