Scarface directed by Howard Hawks

The film Scarface was released in 1932 and was directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes. The film was based off a book by the same title and many of the events depicted in the film are based on real life events. This film was again reproduced in the 1980's, and the films have an almost identical plot line. One of the original gangster films to come out of that genre, the film revolved around prohibition and the men who tried to rule the illegal trafficking of alcohol during that time.

I really enjoyed the use of symbolism throughout the film. The use of an "X" in the scene in some form (either a shadow, a light, on a placard, etc). The use of this symbol was in the scene either before, during or after a murder. Up until this point in the films we've watched I haven't seen a large use of symbolism throughout an entire movie, until Scarface. I'm not certain if the director did this purposefully but, I feel that because it was such a prominent element used for the duration of the film, it was done intentionally. Because murders were not allowed to be shown directly in a scene, the utilization of a signifier, the "X", highlights that someone has just died.

I also felt that the characters were very developed within the film. The main characters Tony, Cesca, and Poppy all had very in-depth character backgrounds and the audience felt as if they could identify with these characters. Some other supporting characters such as, Johnny Lovo and Guino both had a sense of character but was limited in scope. I feel that Cesca, Tony's sister was portrayed in a way that the audience could relate to, in terms of frustration with her hypocritical brother.

Although the film was definitely a drama comic relief was provided by Tony's secretary and I feel was a perfect touch to the movie!

Redskin

The film Redskin was a silent melodrama from 1929. The film made huge advances in the film genre by using a larger amount of dialog throughout the film with a much more cohesive narrative. The film also had themes dealing with education and identity which play a large role within the film.

The thing that stood out to me the most while watching the film was the use of color. For a silent film during this period I thought the quality of the color with amazing! The use of color was only during the periods when the main characters, Wing Foot and Corn Blossom were in their respective homes located somewhere in the Mesa canyon/desert in Arizona. The other scenes, located at the Indian Boarding School were shot in black and white. I felt that the use in color for only specific locations was possibly because of financing. If it was done for a specific reason, I feel that utilizing the outdoor scenery was a great idea. All the vivid colors of the brush, trees and fabulous colors of the Native Americans outfits made the movie and scenes that much more special. I also feel that in the scenes with color are the scenes in which the main characters felt at home even if they were shunned from their communities, like Wing Foot.

Another use of effects throughout the movie, was the costume changes by Wing Foot and Corn Blossom. While he was a young child Wing Foot dressed like the members of his tribe, in normal native garb once he was taken to the boarding school he was forced into following the schools dress code, short hair and the white mans clothing style. Once he was in college he had adapted to that style of dress and wore suits and kept his hair short on his own freewill. After leaving college and returning home he once again changed his manner of dress into traditional native american clothing once again, in order for his father and community to accept him. As the movie progressed Wing Foot stayed in his native american attire as he tried to re-identify himself as a Native American.

Within Our Gates by Oscar Micheaux

Within Our Gates (1919) was written, produced and directed by Oscar Micheaux. It was a film created as a protest against as well as, a response to the film by D.W. Griffith entitled, The Birth of a Nation. It is also the earliest surviving film directed by Micheaux.

The theme of using religion to keep African-Americans from uplifting their race and obtaining rights such as an education and the ability to vote was a very interesting and reoccurring theme within the film. One great example of this is when the Reverend Ned preaches to an all African-American congregation about how African-Americans would be the first to go to Heaven because the whites were too wrapped up in their material possessions and education which God disliked. But, since the African-American congregation did not have such material possessions or an education they should not have any worries about going to Heaven. A few scenes later the same Reverend is seen talking to two white men saying that he believed what he was preaching, when in all actuality he thought that everyone should have equal rights.

During another scene in which Mrs. Warwick, the kindly old lady who helped Sylvia was discussing her plan of funding the school with Mrs. Stratton the topic of using religion to oppress others was brought up. Mrs. Stratton was deeply racist and gave Mrs. Warwick the advice of not giving the school any money but instead giving a lesser amount to a known African-American reverend who would keep the African-Americans in their place. Although Mrs. Warwick told her friend she disagreed with her ideas and was going to fund the school but instead give them even more money than asked for!

The theme of religion was greatly intertwined with the themes of education and literacy throughout the film. I appreciated the subtle and blatant ways in which Micheaux discussed and portrayed these themes because they were crucial points of the film.