Essay, Research Paper: Movie "Indochine"

During the period between World War I and World War II, France held control of the territory of Indochina. The film "Indochine" grasps the essence of the violent and bloody uprising in the imperialistic France territory. The characters are used as a device to symbolize the politics during this time period. The clash in views of Old France and New Vietnam, communism and imperialism, are seen through the characters of Elaine’s father, Camille, Than and Guy.
Elaine’s father was born and raised in France with all of its imperialistic points. He is strong in his Old France attitude. He tells his daughter of imperialism and France and represents the way the politics and government functioned before the communist's opposing views arrived.
Camille represents the next generation and New Vietnam. Camille and her generation of peers break away from the old views of imperialism and move to communism. Camille's switch to communism shows how this doctrine easily influences people. This simplicity of conversion created even more of a scare in the Old France imperialists and furthered the confusion and havoc.
Tahn, Camille's arranged husband, is a leading activist in communism. Tahn represents the views of the common working class indo-chinese. His character speaks out the complaints of the indo-chinese towards the way they are being treated because of the imperialist government. Tahn is the threat to imperialism and the leading cause and help to further communism.
Guy is caught up in the imperialist views of France. He helps Elaine tack down Camille because he love's Elaine, but his true faith and royalty are to the army. The French army is comprised of imperial troops whose duty is to see an end to communism. Guy is the counter part of Tahn, hoping to oust communism at its roots.


Word Count: 296