French Extension

From Biki

Marius & Jeanette

Analysis of Prescribed Scenes: - by Joe

i) Sequence 10 p.27 – 31 ii) Sequence 20-22 p.43 – 47 iii) Sequence 28-30 p.57 – 62 iv) Sequence 40-44 p.70 – 91 v) Sequence 55-64 p.106 – 121

• Jeanette: Mother, single. Husband died getting a pack of cigarettes, killed at the Cement factory. Has close friends.

• Marius: had 2 children, both died in a car accident with his wife. Initiates the relationship with Jeanette, (forcing to paint her house.)

• Caroline: Has brief flings with Justin. She was a communist fighter, pro communism, always gives her opinion, narrow minded, slaggy.

• Justin: He is involved with Caroline, kids look up to him, has great relationship with all the kids as he was a teacher in past. He sings with kids, talks to adults, he is wise and philosophical.

• Monique: Married to Déde with 3 kids. Will not have 4th kid, argues with Déde, Jeanette’s best friend, they share intimate details.

• Magali: Has great relationship with her mother (Jeanette), is another mother figure to her younger brother, Malek.

• Malek: youngest main character. Argues with Jeanette, looks up to Justin who is like a surrogate father. He relies on his older sister. He is obedient.

• Mr. Ebard: The ex-boss of Jeanette - relationship changes throughout the movie, as he is fired, and has to sell things to Jeanette.

SCENE 10

Setting: The courtyard outside all the houses: Older wiser, smarter people live upstairs, (Justin) as he is educated.

Camera: High angle shot – to show you the set, shows everyones house.

Issues: Music – folk music, traditional old music, starts and closes the movie. Lighting – late afternoon 1st contrast between water (nice music, calm) and construction site (filthy, engine sounds) Marius – wears red, danger, stay away, he is a security guard. Jeanette – always shown climbing over things, obstacles in life. Wears blue. Political tension: ‘if I were an Arab, you would shoot me, Fascist!’

Relationships: Marius & Jeanette have officially started their relationship.

SCENE 20

Setting: Cement factory Marius has fixed the bike There is a lot of noise Colours contrast – red with yellowy grey. Marius carries a gun – but with no bullets.

Scene 21: Setting: Malek’s Bedroom Intimate scene with mother and son.

Camera: Jeanette gives a small chat with Malek Tight shots through this scene, shows their closeness.

Malek is fastening Jeanette asks what Ramadan is, showing her lack of intelligence. Malek teaches Jeanette about Ramadan, she is patronising. There is frustration, through tone of the voice: She says: ‘Je te command de manger!’ Changing relationship because there are differences to what he wants to what she wants him to do.

Scene 22:

Setting: Courtyard, outside Justin’s house, in a sunny communal area, overall, a relaxed feel.

Camera: Close up, and then pans outwards, shows how Marius wants to open up.

Characters: Justin, Malek and random kids all playing around, dancing, passing on knowledge. Children live in comfort, respect when around Justin.

Themes: Coping with Change – through education Tolerance and difference Marius relates well with the kids, the kids are all mixed races.

Scene 28 Setting: Ruelle – in an Alleyway Happy mood, casual – with a girly conversation between Jeanette and Monique. No kids are present.

Camera moving, on the go.

Characters: Both in Blue, Jeanette and Monique, talking about Jeanette’s root last night with Marius. They are both good friends. Language – casual, slang (‘nice ass’), shows their intimate relationship.

Coping with change – her relationship is official.

Scene 29 Setting: In courtyard. They are all next to a wall, which is old and crappy. Carolyn is speaking about the events which went on in the concentration camp, regarding sex. How she did it with everyone, i.e – she is slaggy.

Camera: Intimate, close ups. She looks almost at the camera – we witness her recounting something which was clearly important in her life. Carolyn’s make up is all gross – smudged because it is hot or because she is crying. She is reflecting on her past. She suddenly gets up and leaves abruptly. They feel like they can talk about anything. Language is emotional, her tone is fairy monotone.

Coping with Change – getting over the emotional side effects of WWII.

Scene 40

Setting: Sitting on a balcony, near a port – there is a lot of light, with views of the ocean, Wide open spaces.

Camera: focuses on Justin – zooms out to reveal other children.

Language: Always uses metaphors to relate with the children. Not stereotypical, ‘I am not just talking about muslims.’ Monologue Puts himself on the level of the children Wants his message to get to everybody.

Themes: love each other – live in peace Religion – Justin is Atheist Message = peace What you do is what counts Tolerance of all Religions – accept everybody.

Scene 41

Setting: Courtyard

Characters: Déde is reading a comic called ‘Pif’, Jeanette sits down next to him. Contrast between Justin and Déde, as Justin was previously reading up on Gaudi.

Camera: Shows Déde’s laziness, feet up on chair. Jeanette enters from left of the frame. Carolyn is laughing (like Stella) in the background. Déde has no communication skills. He can’t even concentrate on pictures.

Language: strong – uses words like ‘qu’on’ Very familiar

The last paragraph that Déde says is the longest line he says in the movie. Purpose: To show Déde’s retardedness Emphasise mind over body.

Themes: Coping with change Belonging VS Alienation – Déde can’t fit in with anyone. Links with privacy – or lack there of.

Scene 42

Setting: Nice, romantic restaurant, intimate Up market and classy, beside a river/creek.

Camera: Shows bridge – then zooms out to show the restaurant by the river. Shows Marius and Jeanette having lunch. Classical music playing.

Themes: Everyone is in black + white (business ppl) however, Marius and Jeanette are in colour.

Language: Business ppl around them are talking about finance etc. Marius and Jeanette are borganish, more casual.

Scene 43

Setting: Food markets (vegetables) Typically French – as there is lavender.

Camea: Close tight shots, - creates sense of intimacy. Shows a bond between Magali and Marius.

Characters: Marius – concerned to make Magali see that he is the right man for Jeanette. Magali – takes the protective, motheryly role, seeing if Marius is the right man for her mother. She trusts him though. They establish a bond. Magali asks if he loves her mum, he replies with a ‘Ouais’ – and a smile.

L’Aioli – garlic and mayonnaise. Coping with Change.

Scene 44:

Setting: The cement factory – having a family luncheon/picnic. Each couple are paired up in colours – M+J = Red, J+C = yellow. D+M = blue… Working class background – disgusting setting – bad wine (big plastic barrel)

Camera: When on group of men + women, camera is still, however when it is focused on Magali, the camera follows her around, as she moves from place to place.

Characters: All form the courtyard. Men are arguing about how to make Aioli, whereas women talk about the future for Magali. Men’s attitude reflects their view on things: - Déde is stupid – frustrated - Justin is wise – in control Women are all peeling veges. Magali is seen to be the voice of the working class – as she wants to be a journalist and leave L’Estaque. Women are in casual dress – same colours as usual, same clothes as usual – little variance. ‘Would you rather smell like mint?’ – Arabs, drink mint tea.

Language: Casual conversation – reveals more about the characters.

Themes: Belonging VS Alienation – Magali is leaving the small community of poor people. Marius is becoming part of their small courtyard community.

Scene 55

Setting: Pontoon, at a boat marina – it is late night All characters are drunk No distractions, because there is no sound/music. Just their voices.

Characters: Marius, Déde, Justin. All lying on the wharf, may have vomited. Discuss Marius’ life/motives Discussion about Marius’ past. Marius reveals secrets he hadn’t even told Jeanette. He admits that he his drunk. - he says: ‘there was black ice on the road.. he crashed the car.. his family was killed except himself.’ - It is the longest speech that Marius says. Language: swearing Uses imperfect tense.

Purpose: To reveal Marius’ secrets of his past.

Coping with change – had to deal with the situation. Belonging VS Isolation – used to have kids, sees Jeanette with hers. Misses his. Creates a bond/trust between the three friends.