Response to O Heroi

I large reason why I like foreign films is that they take such small details and make them seem so important or meaningful. The prosthesis, the mask, and the shoes are all objects used in African films to say something in particular about the characters and the situation they find themselves in. They were all items owned by someone in poor status that was given new opportunities. However these opportunities were not always positive or reassuring. In “O Heroi” the prosthesis was given to a poor soldier who was living on the streets because he could not get a job. I think that him losing the prosthesis made him focus on other aspects of his life and made him stronger. However, the prosthesis was a symbol of him getting his freedom back and being able to feel normal again. The mask in “Black Girl” symbolized the female character’s culture and her pride. She gave to mask to her employers because she believed they would show her new things in France and give her freedoms she has never had at home. She took it back once she felt betrayed. The mask then seemed to symbolize being haunted for the cruelty the employers showed her. The boy chased the man and made him feel haunted or responsible for her suicide. Lastly, the shoes in “And So Angels Die” symbolized freedom and grief. The young man was given a new chance at freedom when his family left him and he no longer had to struggle to care for them. Although he was heartbroken he was able to go about finding his way. He was proud to be able to bring gifts for his family and have the freedom to leave when he wanted. The grief was felt by the father. He knew he was hard on his son and therefore was determined to make the shoes fit. It was like he felt obligated to show his gratitude.    

            As for class differences, there were several aspects shown. The poor soldier was at the lowest level by living on the streets. He had one set of clothes besides his uniform and a simple bag of items. He was living on meager amounts of money and food. As for Manu and his grandmother, they were of a slightly higher social class. They could not afford anything fancy but they had the necessities. They had a small home that provided meals and comfort daily. Manu’s teacher was of an even higher social class due to her heritage. She lived in a nice apartment owned by her parents who travelled and owned other properties. She was able to afford much nicer clothing and provide some supplies for her students.  The classmate of the teacher was the richest of all. He got to go to school in another country and had a job lined up for him with his rich uncle. His family was in politics so they were well off. He was always able to have fancy suits and drive a decent car. He acted like money was not an issue when he was at the hospital after hitting a street child.