For whoever have watched the Cassablanca movie
baoruo
viewing_casablanca-1_1.pptView and Critique
Casablanca
Casablanca is considered an iconic film of the 1940’s and is included on most critics “Top Ten” list.
I hope you enjoy it.
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Casablanca
The first 4 questions are the same as Metropolis:
1) Name of Director, 2 Actors and their roles (spelled correctly – refer to imdb.com)
2) Plot Synopsis – ¾ to 1 page in length with characters names and highlights of plot.
3) Theme – State in one sentence the moral statement Curtiz made with Casablanca. (what choice does Rick have to make and why?)
4) Discuss 3 symbols used in Casablanca. Cite specifically where they are and what they mean.
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Casablanca
With regard to symbols we may not recognize some of the images that would have been familiar to the audiences of 1941, for example:
In the first scene a man is shot and falls under a poster of the leader of the puppet government in German Occupied France and the symbol on the piece of paper in the dead man’s hand is that of the French Resistance Fighters.
Also, the government in Occupied France was located in Vichy – a town famous for its waters (notice the bottle of water in the last scene).
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Casablanca
5) Separate each of the visual elements into individual paragraphs for each example:
Scenery
Rick’s Café Americain – describe what the walls, floors and furniture look like and why Curtiz chose to use these lines, colors or rhythms.
The Blue Parrot – what it looks like, how it is different from Rick’s and why Curtiz chose these designs.
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Casablanca
5) What to look for generally in costuming:
What does Rick wear in his Café? Why? Does he ever wear something different? Where and why does he change?
What does Ilsa wear? Does she change? Where and why?
Same for Victor and especially for Captain Renault (why does he change so often?)
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Casablanca
5) What to look for generally in lighting:
What is the lighting in the Café? Why? Where and why does it change?
Since it has stylistic overtones of Film Noir there is a strong use of shadows – where and why?
Are there any lighting choices that are also symbols?
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Casablanca
5) What to look for generally in props:
What props are used in the Café? Why? Where and why does they change?
Are the props generally realistic or nonrealistic?
Are there any props that are also symbols?
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Casablanca
6) Critique the film using Göethe’s 3 questions:
What was Michael Curtiz trying to do? What was the message and why was it especially important at the time the film was made?
How well did he do it? What worked or didn’t work for you in the film? Discuss camera and design choices. Why did he cast the actors he did?
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Casablanca
6) Was it worth doing?
In your opinion was the film worth doing? Was the message worth it? Why? What did you like or not like about the film. Was the final film a worthy result? Why? You can talk about box office or Oscars but more important is your opinion about the overall artistic value of the film.
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Casablanca
Casablanca is a great film that is well written, directed, acted and especially designed.
Please e-mail me if you have any questions at [email protected].
I hope you enjoy this film as much as I do.
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