Blog #2

Casablanca (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz

The film, Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, describes the tainted love story of characters Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). During the film, the differences in the diegetic and non-diegetic sound is prominent. The music the characters can hear (diegetic) was implemented inside Rick’s saloon (one of the most important sets in the story). The non-diegetic sound was used for emphasis in mood shifts within the film.

In one of the most important scenes, the sing-off in the saloon had a big impact when it comes to sound. The scene begins when Rick refuses to give Victor Lazlo the letters of transit to flee Casablanca. As Lazlo walks out of Rick’s office, the german troops start chanting a German anthem in the saloon. Lazlo walks over to the saloon’s band and begins to sing “La Marseillaise”. The rest of the people in the saloon join and sing along to “La Marseillaise”, overpowering the german anthem. It shows the power dynamic that even when the enemy is present there is hope for good. It also emphasized how everyone in the saloon were refugees together. The German troops invaded to continue to separate people over their political, religious and personal beliefs, yet the refugees stood united in such an important part of the film.

Separate from sound, the impact of the war portrayed how the United States was a safe haven during the war. It showed the world how much more powerful we were, leading to an American character saving the day in the end. The war was the reason for the taint in Rick and Ilsa’s relationship. They were separated from each other due to fleeing purposes for a better life. Rick’s decision to have Ilsa go to America was sad yet proved to be hopeful for refugees like them going to the US.