Comparing the First Three Films
The fist three films we watched gave us three different perspectives of Paris from three directors from three different countries (USA, Brazil, South Africa). The first film gave a look at Paris from the eyes of a visiting American. The second two were from citizens of Paris. Each film gave us a different vantage point but held a few common themes. The second two fils, Brazil and South Africa, being the most similar.
All three films had the protagonist seeming to be outsiders to some extent. The first film showed an American attempting to explore the city. Throughout the film she was alone and struggled to make a connection with any of people of Paris. The second film, Brazil, showed a man, possibly an immigrant, who is struggling throughout. He is fired from his job, harassed by other citizens, and eventually stabbed. He appeared to be unwanted by everyone. he comes in contact with. The third film shows a woman and her daily struggle trying to make a living in the city. She by far appears to be the least of an outsider of the three, but can be seen as she has to travel across town in order nanny another families child. She has little wealth compared to this family and clearly does not fit in when she is in their home.
Where the first and the second two films differ is in the fact that Carol from the fist film is a tourist where as the protagonists from the second two films live in Paris. This results in two very different view points. On the one hand we have the view of the surface of Paris given to us from the first film. What I mean by the surface is that the first film has Carol just visiting. She isn't working or creating a life in the city. She can only show us what is there to see when you look at Paris. The second film gives us a look from the inside of Paris. What its like to live there and the struggle that comes with doing so. Something Carol from the first film could not possibly know anything about. It is unpolished and gritty.
All three films had the protagonist seeming to be outsiders to some extent. The first film showed an American attempting to explore the city. Throughout the film she was alone and struggled to make a connection with any of people of Paris. The second film, Brazil, showed a man, possibly an immigrant, who is struggling throughout. He is fired from his job, harassed by other citizens, and eventually stabbed. He appeared to be unwanted by everyone. he comes in contact with. The third film shows a woman and her daily struggle trying to make a living in the city. She by far appears to be the least of an outsider of the three, but can be seen as she has to travel across town in order nanny another families child. She has little wealth compared to this family and clearly does not fit in when she is in their home.
Where the first and the second two films differ is in the fact that Carol from the fist film is a tourist where as the protagonists from the second two films live in Paris. This results in two very different view points. On the one hand we have the view of the surface of Paris given to us from the first film. What I mean by the surface is that the first film has Carol just visiting. She isn't working or creating a life in the city. She can only show us what is there to see when you look at Paris. The second film gives us a look from the inside of Paris. What its like to live there and the struggle that comes with doing so. Something Carol from the first film could not possibly know anything about. It is unpolished and gritty.
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