Use Of Lighting In Casablanca

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The classic movie Casablanca masterfully uses lighting to shape the message of the film. The Nazi controlled city of Casablanca, Monaco is holding international citizens hostage, not allowing anyone to leave. The entire city is full of temperate refugees, mostly consisting of wealthy international travelers. The film’s lighting shows a city overcast with impossibly dark and dynamic shadows. The shadows from window blinds are cast over the main characters faces in several scenes as they talk secretly in a private room. The shadows stretch like prison bars across the actors face, representing how hopelessly trapped they are, hoping for a way to escape. The character Rich was a bright idealist turned into a cynic by the brutality of reality. He chooses to stay …show more content…

This is his characters way of adapting to the harsh realities of life. Even given the chance to finally be with his love he instead realizes in front of the harsh reality the entire would is facing his love “doesn’t even amount to a hill of beans.” Rick is a representation of America. As he chooses to enter the harsh shadows that have trapped the globe trotters, fighting back against the Nazis for the greater good. The international citizens trapped in the city represent the citizens of the world, confined to the shadows while they are hiding from the Nazis oppressive spotlight.
Lazlo is an idealist who represents the best in the world. He is a bright light of inspiration to those around him, and the lighting displays this clearly.

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