Ma Vie En Rose

What is the effect of using Ludo's childlike daydreams in Ma Vie En Rose?

I believe, and I'm sure many of you agree, that daydreams are a great way to get away for a little bit. In the case of Ludo, he used his fantasies as a way to live the way he desired-as a girl. He was able to split himself into two people. The person his mother and father wanted him to be, and the person he knew he was. This is obvious when Ludo is caught wearing a dress and trying to marry the neighbor boy. His mother drags him home by his arm as he list-fully stares up at his other self wearing a dress and flying- getting to be what he wants.

What role does the grandmother play in Ludo's life?

She plays a crucial role in Ma Vie En Rose. She accepts her grandson and doesn't question him. She was the one to suggest letting him wear a skirt. She teaches him to go to a secret place when he is sad-which is a big thing Ludo learns. Ludo's parents and other adults don't understand him and to have somewhere to go where he is understood and loved is important.

What effect does Ludo playing two parts and what does his family's support (and lack there of) have on him?

Ludo knows that he cannot keep trying to be a girl, so he tries to be like his brothers. ( think of the scene where he "adjusts" himself in the mirror) so he does what Schiavi writes as the moment where "boys become extremely watchful, carefully monitoring how other boys act" (10). You can tell Ludo thinks its ridiculous though, and so does the audience. We sympathize with him, almost wanting to hug him and say, "you don't have to be something you are not" which is a bit ironic. His father is very supportive of Ludo at first, but its not until the end when they are dancing that the audience starts to empathize with the father. It would be very challenging for a father to accept that his son didn't want to be a boy, but this scene shows that he has.

Far From Heaven- Are you in good hands?

What is the significance of showing the "idealistic family" crumbling to pieces in Far From Heaven?

So your husband is having an affair- with a man, many men. What do you do? In the case of Cathy Whitaker, she ignores it. Her husband and her have worked so hard all of these years to create their image that they are willing to let it go. The first time she catches him. However, after meeting and enjoying the company of her gardener,Raymond, Cathy has an epiphany-thank God. Even perfect families have their secrets and without addressing them, there will always be a loser.

What is the significance of the way each character is portrayed in Far From Heaven?
Cathy is busy busy busy, her home phone is always ringing and she's signing up for this and that, all while raising two children without much help from her husband. Once she finds out that her husband is gay, she maintains her perfect image for as long as she can. She has immersed herself so deeply into this "role" as wife, mother and philanthropist that she can't let anyone know anything is wrong. She is accepting of her black gardener when even her best friend judges her for befriending him.
Frank is also busy, but he's also very unhappy about the lie he leads. He's always in the shadows, keeping to himself at parties while Cathy entertains. He doesn't interact with his children and sends them away as soon as they would like to tell him something. He only cares about his image to others and freaks out when Cathy mentions anything troubling. This way of portraying a husband seems to be that all they do is work, stress out, drink, and occasionally hit their wives and don't take any of the blame for it.
Raymond isn't bound by racial ties until he very publicly grabs Cathy's arm and is called "boy" and then when his daughter is hit by a rock by some boys. The role he plays is an important notion about racism. Cathy was willing to be with him, but he just knew they couldn't.

What does Far From Heaven say about racism and homophobia?

I think that as an audience member, I found the ways each character handled either homophobia or racism was a bit unbelievable. Mostly because in my generation, these two topics are existing less and less. But in terms of the film, it is just like any other film taking place in this time period. Cathy had a perfect family on the outside and when put under the microscope it revealed some pretty sad stuff. She couldn't even tell her best friend about Frank. When it came to Raymond, rumors were flying around that they were an item and that was so taboo- Again, her friend asked her about it and was so relieved when Cathy said they weren't together. However, when she said Raymond and her were friends, Eleanor couldn't stand it.

One scene that stands out to me is the one at the pool. A little black boy dips his feet into what is apparently an all-white pool. Everyone gets out, mother's grab their children saying its time to go. Its as if it is unclean to be black.

Just admit that you can't see! (Dancer in the Dark)

First, I just want to say, Dancer in The Dark was surprisingly good. I had only heard bad things about Bjork's voice, but I really enjoyed it. That's all.

What was the effect of the "musical ballads" in Dancer in the Dark?

Bjork's character,Selma, was already a little spacey, but when the musical numbers were added in, she completely secluded herself in these daydreams. The effect was to show that if she just had music, a bad situation isn't all that bad. She's going blind? Sing about it to the sounds of a train or a factory. She's going to be put to death? Sing Christmas carols in your jail cell.

What was significant about the last scene in Dancer in the Dark and how was this musical number different?

For once, Selma was in a situation that she couldn't escape from. She sang outloud to those who were about to witness her death. I found this very interesting, because it seemed as though before when she sang nobody knew she was in that fantasy land. This situation was death and so it made it much more real that she was singing (although I don't know too many people who would sing right before they are hung).

What was the significance of making Selma a well liked character and how does Marx fit in?

Everyone was willing to help Selma out, yet she wanted to do it all on her own. Bill betrays her trust and STILL she does not betray his, Jeff always offers her a ride, but she refuses, she is given a chance to escape the death penalty looming but also refuses because it will prevent her son from getting the surgery. I think Selma's unselfish nature opens the audience up to her. She is a loner, but is loved by everyone around her. Sometimes this way of living tends to get you screwed over- in the situation with Bill especially. Marx talks of alienation and how we estrange ourselves from each other and I think Selma does this because she doesn't want her friends and family to know her real troubles.

What was the effect on the audience by filming with a hand held camera?

By using less tricks and gimics to make this film, Lars von Treir makes the audience feel like they are there. Watching Selma walk home on the train tracks put us in her shoes. Being in the room with Bill and Selma as Bill takes her money makes us want to yell, "SELMA! HE'S HERE! IN THE ROOM WITH US!" We are helpless just like Selma and I believe that to be the point of Dancer in the Dark