In many movies, the viewers experience many codes, which frequently appear simultaneously to create the necessary impression to the audience. Several codes may be linked to one another such as sound, visual, and other codes used to create and control a link between image and sound. The cinematic codes were derived from the term ‘Mise en Scene’, which is a French term defining the objects or character being put in the movie scene (Prince, 2015). As such, the term explains all the aspects which appear in a single shot, hence, make up the cinematic codes used to create different impressions in up-to-date movie shooting and editing. Among such codes used in the past centuries include colour, shadow, lighting, objects and movement. As such, these codes are made in such a way that they seem to be part of the real world. This concurs with the old movies’ perception that the filming was based wholly on theatrical performances and real world situations. On the contrary, the twenty-first century films are formulated based on both real life situations and fiction (Prince, 2015). The concept of using cinematic codes is to give the film a meaning that the viewer can easily understand. Therefore, this paper will analyze some of the cinematic codes used in the movie Casablanca, which include setting, costumes, props, camera, and lighting.
Bordwell and Thompson (2004) state that motion pictures are a standard part of our lives, and are often enjoyed in various places including theaters, homes, cars, airplanes, and even offices. The essence of watching movies is to give the viewers pleasure. However, people have been trying to figure out what makes the films such captivating (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004). The core reason may be that the films take the viewers through experiences they would not have otherwise had in their lives through the cinematic characters. Besides, using cinematic codes, the viewers explore both the sound textures and visual qualities displayed. The essence of using cinematic codes was realized by filmmakers who discovered that they could give viewers more engaging experiences by controlling the aspects of the movie.
Prince (2015) opines that the setting in a movie signifies its authenticity. Setting explains the place where the events take place. The locations in a movie give meaning to the action taking place. There are several instances in the movie Casablanca where the setting is used to create different impressions to the viewer. One of the settings in the movie is in a restaurant where there is a confrontation at Victor Laszlo’s table. Four characters engage each other in a love triangle. The setting creates tension to the viewer where no one can tell how the love triangle will end. Perhaps a fight may result from the engagement, or some embarrassment may arise in the restaurant from the conversation going on. The settinf around the table creates an ideal place for such an engagement hence evidencing the relevance of this setting to the movie. At the pre-war Paris, Rick and Issa are seen to have a fun time together (File & Green, 1987). The setting of this location gives the viewer an expectation of what shall proceed. The atmosphere and the surroundings seem ideal for two lovers to share such intimate moments. Rather than sharing such moments in any place, the director of the movie chose this location since it drives the viewer through the experience the two characters are having at such a time.
The final scene portraying the Paris flashback takes places in a railway station. At this scene, Sam informs Rick that Ilsa has checked out of the hotel and will be leaving Paris without him. A note in Rick’s hand confirms Ilsa’s decision (File & Green, 1987). The railway station is chosen as an ideal setting since it depicts tension and confusion. With the many people passing by, Rick is confused on what to do next because he loved Ilsa and was eager to depart with her out of Paris. The movement of the people in the station adds to the tension, and the viewer is anxious to know what we be the next thing to happen. Perhaps, Ilsa will appear in the station or Rick will decide to depart in search of her lover. The airport setting is defined as a saddening atmosphere through the fog and the dark lighting. This is the ideal setting for a climatic farewell between Ilsa and Rick. The director of the film tries to put the viewer in this scene which creates a saddening impression. At last, the two lovers have to say farewell amid such atmosphere and a setting that depicts the commencement of loneliness between the two characters.
Costumes form part of the cinematic codes embrace in the movie Casablanca. Costumes form part of the prop that is closely connected to the characters and define them (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004). As such, costumes can be utilized to signify mismatches or matches between different characters in the film. Throughout the film, the three characters engaged in the love triangle who are Rick Blaine, Ilsa Lund, and Victor Laszlo are portrayed to belong to a high social class through their code of dressing. In most of the scenes, they are smartly dressed in different official wears which give the film time consciousness in that the viewers become aware that the movie was shot in the 1940’s. Similarly, the political triangle is portrayed through army officials who are constantly in their uniforms but have different loyalties. Such an instance is when Renault and Major Strasser are seen in the same uniforms while at the same time the true loyalty of Renault is different from that of Major Strasser (File & Green, 1987). The costumes create some similarity which makes the viewer foresee a link between such characters but a change of events is seen when the character differ from their opinions and loyalties.
Most of the movies in the 21st century are shot in different colors, hence, the viewers always have an expectation that movies will be in colors that depict the real world situation (Prince, 2015). However, black and white were the most commonly used colors in the 1930s and 1940s, thus, carried historical impression. “Black and white was considered more realistic” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004, pg. 214). Filmmakers consider black and white as colors that depict the historical period in our modern world films. The movie Casablanca is shot in black and white which gives it a sense of time such that the viewers are aware the turn of events in the film are historical. Similarly, black and white matches most of the historical settings in the movie such as the railway station and Paris afterwar.
Camera and camera movement is another cinematic code that is widely used in the movie Casablanca. The early filmmaking was characterized by taking long shots from static cameras that were strategically placed. The angle of the shot determines the object of focus in the film. Low angle shot result with more power on the objects unlike high angle shot (Prince, 2015). Some camera setting such as a soft focus can enhance different scenes such as giving the romantic effect. The shot at pre-war Paris gives a romantic effect to Rick and Ilsa who are seen to enjoy the moments away from the many hassles of the world surrounding them (File & Green, 1987). The climatic farewell at the airport is shot under closeup focus where the viewers can capture details of the facial expressions of both Rick and Ilsa. It is definite that both of them are sad to say farewell as depicted from the sad expressions on their faces. In fact, Rick seems sadder as his eyes are wet which portray that he would cry at any moment (File & Green, 1987. The two stare at each other like it is the last time they will ever meet. All these impressions are created by the focus of the camera.
Prince (2015) notes that lighting is another cinematic code that creates different impressions and defines differences in various scenes. Besides, it gives attention to different objects or characters hence making the viewer shift their attention to the aimed object or character. Such an instance occurs at Victor Laszlo ‘s table in the restaurant where the love triangle engagement takes place. Rick stands in a lighted triangle which makes the viewer concentrate on interpreting Rick’s impression hence realize the love triangle and conflict portrayed in the movie. The scene shot at the airport is described as “climactic farewell between Rick and Ilsa amid the film noir lighting and fog, (File & Green, 1987, pp. 10)”. The fog in this scene creates a dull atmosphere there other objects in the background are not well visible. The viewers’ focus is turned to the two characters saying farewell where both the close-up shot and the lighting enable the viewer to catch the detailed action of what is going on between the two characters.
Cinematic codes give movies more impressions which make the viewer feel as part of the film. As such, the movie Casablanca would be too plain and boring if it was acted based on only a theatrical perspective. The cinematic codes embraced by the film director gives every scene a meaning than it would have been portrayed without the use of the cinematic codes. A scene such as the climatic farewell at the airport would be too plain if the use of setting, close up focus camera and lighting were not used. As such, the viewer would not feel attached to the sad moment of the two lovers saying farewell. Similarly, the use of black and white color and costumes give the movie a sense of time whereby viewers will always be certain that the film was shot in the historical era. In essence, cinematic codes are effectively used in the movie Casablanca to give a storyline that suits the era that the movie was acted.
References
Bordwell, D. and Thompson, K. (2004) Film Art: An Introduction 7th Edition. (pp. 89-91). New York: McGraw-Hill.
File and Green, G. (1987) ‘”The Happiest of Happy Accidents”? A Reeveluation of Casablanca’, Smithsonian Studies in American Art, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1(2), 2-13.
Prince, S. (2015). Movies and meaning. An introduction to film. Boston: Allyn.
