What does “life is rosy” mean? What cultural messages are conveyed through this film—in your opinion?
La Vie Est Belle is a film that shows the hypocrisy of the upper class through the use of humor which allows the viewer, no matter their social status to laugh at the hypocritical nature of all people. Humor is used to show that no matter how "rational" and financially secure a person can be, the superstitions of a society affect all people. This can be seen when Nvouandou the childless (and childish) club owner, who is doing very well financially, puts on his Sunday best so he appears proper when visiting the local witch doctor-- he drives over to the run down shack in his lavish white Mercedes. He needs to visit the witch doctor because he has still not had a child with his wife of twenty years, he has fallen out of love with his wife and there seems to be issues in continuing a sexual relationship. The witch doctor tells Nvouandou that he must take on a second wife who is of course... a virgin (wow what a stereotypical answer). This scene is so absurd because of the extreme contrast. We associate rich people with a more rational thought process, they don't need to use "magic", "prayer" etc. to get by because they have all their basic needs already taken care of so they don't need to resort to fantastical thinking. Usually people who are poorly off place their faith in something outside of themselves to improve their lives. It also is a humorous contrast because through out the movie we become aware of how much the rich depend on the poor. Nvouandou depends on the witch doctor for guidance. Later Nvouandou depends on Kourou to keep and eye on, as well as woo his virgin bride for him. Kourou is a poor man who is trying to make it big using his musical ability. Kourou instead of relying on the influence or money of a parent (unlike Nvouandou) uses his skills and ability to not only "make it big" but to also get the girl he wants. The only issue with being someone who needs to use tact, and skill is that people of this background can sometimes use their skills in a manipulative way as seen when Kourou gets Nvouandou's young wife into bed under false pretenses. Although both men come from very different backgrounds, one rich the other poor, one the master of the house, the other a worker in the home-- they both have one thing in common, they are both constantly working to obtain happiness. Life is Rosy for these men because they both have drives to live happily. Some people think happiness comes from things, but after a while both become aware that as long as your basic needs are met, you are pushing towards a goal, and you have someone who loves you by your side, you can go far. Nvouandou is able to reassess his life after the distraction of his second wife is gone, to realize he already had what he needed in life. Maybe life isn't perfect, but if you look hard enough you'll find that it is indeed rosy.
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