Casablanca Intro


The beginning of Casablanca helps to build-up to the introduction of the main character, Rick. This is done by quick shots of people mentioning him briefly and close-ups of Rick's movements until he is finally revealed as a sinister lonely miser. It also to introduce the audience to the surroundings and the desperation in the people stuck on the island of Casablanca.

The introduction to Casablanca is a documentary-style to make the film more realistic and to intrigue the watcher. It also helps to inform us about context as Casablanca was made during WWII. From the start of the introduction to the island, the importance of the documents are highlighted. The mise-en-scene is significant in this scene as a man is shot in front of a French propaganda poster as a reminder of the French colony. The sound is also significant as it helps to set the mood of the intense chaotic atmosphere but also the desperation of the people of Casablanca. The rich can be seen to be taken advantage of as the contrast of poor and rich is highlighted as a man's wallet is stolen. this helps to show the tension of those on the island and the untrustworthy atmosphere. A plane flies by as the camera pans across and cuts to the people of Casablanca look longingly up to the plane as melancholic music plays in the background.

Rick is first introduced by a spotlight/ searchlight panning across his bar helping to highlight the suspense and troubled atmosphere on the island. An Establishment shot of Ricks Bar helps to inform the reader that we're going to enter the bar as well as its significance in the film. From the outside of the bar, we can hear Sam playing the piano in which the camera drifts through the bar to find the source of the music to intrigue the viewer. A significant feature is the contrast of dark and light with the outside of Ricks bar compared to the inside almost as the bar is a symbol of hope. As we enter the bar, panning shots are mainly used to distinguish the range of different cultures and professions. Texture and lighting is used  inside Ricks bar





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