BEYOND HOLLYWOOD: An Analysis of the Film 'The Intouchables'

This report provides a detailed analysis of the French comedy-drama film 'The Intouchables'. The study examines the film's mise-en-scene, including set design, lighting, costumes, and decor, and how these elements contribute to the film's visual storytelling and thematic representations. It also analyzes the cinematography, focusing on camera techniques, shot composition, and editing, and how these choices enhance the narrative and emotional impact. The report discusses the purpose and effectiveness of these cinematic styles, highlighting how they portray the contrasting social classes and the development of the characters' relationships. The analysis draws on various sources to support its claims and concludes by emphasizing the film's significance in the French comedy entertainment industry.

BEYOND HOLLYWOOD: INTRODUCTION
TO WORLD CINEMA

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Present study will be based on “The Intouchables”. It is a French comedy drama film. It was
released in 2011 and has become second biggest box office hit film in France. Film has been
nominated for award and has received many awards in the year 2011 (McCormick, 2015). It was
made in the direction of Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. Cinematography has been done by
Mathieu Vadepied. Current study will analysis film style by applying various models. It will
select sequence by selecting two elements Mise en Scene and Cinematography. Furthermore,
study will evaluate purpose of using these styles and its effectiveness.
MAIN BODY
Mise-en-Scene
The Intouchables is award winning box office hit movie of 2011. Budget of entire film
was 9.5 million and it has generated profit of 360 million in the same year. This story has been
inspired from Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his caregiver Abdel Sellou (Araüna, Tortajada and
Willem, 2018). After releasing this film has holed 74% approval rating and 89% positive reviews
from French population. After completion of each film, it is gone for professional critics and
these professionals critics have given 57 out of 100 score. This movie is uplifting comedy and it
is all about trust and human possibilities.
Mise en Scene is fancy sounding term that is used for film analysis. It is related with what
we see on the screen, film visuals, meaning etc. are elements are part of this technique. There are
various factors that helps in effective visualization such as sitting decor, lighting, costumes,
make up etc (Jones, 2016). Decor is related with how sitting arrangements have been done for
objects, character and their emotions. Another most important part of this model is lighting.
Intensity, lighting quality have significantly impact on audience’s mind. This lighting enhances
clarity of image. Three key, high key etc various lighting process are used in making film.
Section 3 is related with space.
Figure 1Bathroom difference
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Mise en scene clearly reflects that this Intouchables film shows difference between youth
and people those who live in Paris (Harrod and Powrie, 2018). Through this film director has
established a view point of difference between rich and poor people. Director has shown equal
importance of each actor and supporting actor in the movie. By this way simple message has
been circulated that two different people can become close friends. Intouchables is one of the
beloved film tht express range of emotions, narrative and suburb. All the props were set properly
there was adequate space between all these elements (Bols, 2017). Presentation of this film has
enhanced certain expectation of audience. At initial level there was stark contrast in clothing of
actors. This has clearly shown difference in social class of Driss and Phillipe. But in later phase
dressing of both these person was same. Sitting has done in effective manner there are clear
difference show in bathrooms of high class people and lower class people (HERNANDA,
FIRMONASARI and SS, 2015). Intouchables movie is new type of comedy film that has
presented feeling and expressing views in realistic way by using dramatic themes.
Figure 2difference in dressup
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Figure 3difference in dressup
Figure 4 same dress up
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When it comes to dress up then in this film right cloths have been wearing by both these
characters. As Phillipe was belonging to high income class family thus, had wear leather jacket
in theatre and people those who are surrounding him also has wear proper suit and smart dress
up. Music represents character and class both thus, For showing emotions of Driss director has
used classical music which was appropriate for this scene (The Intouchables, 2018).
Figure 5dress up of rich people in movie
In this film director has used Traditional three point, high key lighting system. This
lighting system has helped in establishing themes and presenting appropriately. Through lighting
director has become able to show emotions, anger, intimacy, energy in efficient manner.
Clothing was another most essential part of this film. Driss was playing important role in this
movie who was wearing black and boggy clothes (Film Analysis, 2018). The reason of wearing
such cloths was that in this role individual was need not to make efforts into style because being
a poor person he was supposed to look like simple man. On other hand Philippe was tiring
expenses cloths so that he can look like wealthy person. In some shots such as dancing shot there
was use of bouncy and bright lighting but it was telling urban drama so if director had used
simple light lighting then it would have become more effective (The French Flock to a Feel-
Good Movie, 2011).
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Figure 6 music and lighting
Figure 7 lighting
The film has many beautiful scenes through decor individual has become able to
represent isolation, alienation in effective manner. Furthermore, use of classical music, mood
lighting system clearly shows loneliness in the Driss’s life. These movements have created image
in the mind of audience. Director has taken support of specific colour pallets in order to create
mood in different situations (HERNANDA, FIRMONASARI and SS, 2015).
Another most essential aspect of this movie was that both these two character were
differed from each other in term of body language and looking. Phillippe has to stay at one place
on wheelchair. Whereas Driss was using much space. When he has realised that there is sport car
then he has given amazing excited facial expression. Props that have been used in this film were
appropriate for particular scenes. The style of film was highly influenced by Indian film Lunch
box.
Cinematography
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Cinematographer has used many conventions in its opening scenes. There are many
extended duration shots at the opening of this movie. Camera uses has been done appropriately,
there are many close-up and medium shots that have helped in depicting Driss and his character.
Though, there are many independent conventional slower shots but still there are many shots
which are of longer duration. There are some extremely long shots (McCormick, 2015).
Cinematographer has used fade at the beginning of this film. This editing technique helps
in making strong connection with audience. Some simple cuts have been employed in order to
maintain fluidity and make it smoother. The main objective of using longer shots has made the
person aware with actual feeling of different actors. This has made aware with background of
each actor in Intouchables movie (Araüna, Tortajada and Willem, 2018 ).
AT the initial phase or starting of film director has used non-diegetic sounds. This was
soft music that has helped in creating calmness feeling. As this movie is based on real life thus,
this soft music has relaxed people those who were watching this film and have made them
connected with others. There is very few dialogues have been used at the initial level of this
movie. This was creating suspense and calmness (Harrod and Powrie, 2018). The Intouchables
has become popular and box office hit because of its expressive sound track and elegant
cinematography. This was visually amazing and audience have got connected with real emotions
of friendship.
There was many wide shots where it has been clearly expressed that there is strong
connection between Phillipe and Driss (Bols, 2017).
Figure 8close up shot
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In this shot close up of Driss has been captured. The main reason of using close up shot
was to show emotions regarding paragliding. Jump cut shot clearly express hurry to take off from
harness. All these amazing shots have been captured in camera that express feeling of the person.
Cinematorgraphy in order to show character poor and rich person was perfect. Camera clearly
show perceived status of two different social class people (HERNANDA, FIRMONASARI and
SS, 2015). In the earlier scenes idea of stereotypical has been set up but in later scene it has been
reflected that person is able to care own self.
Intouchables moviehas used appropriate music and lightings. The entire film is comedy
drama film that has described friendship and camaraderie. In one scene Driss and Philippe went
to paragliding. In this scene director has used excited music that has supported the scene.This
was amazing shot and has gained attention of viewers. There was appropriate zooming so that
audience can notice emotions of the person.
This is low angel shot and director has shot it for 20 second. This shot has demonstrated
activeness of Driss due to paragliding.
Furthermore, high shot has been captured in this, emotions of Philippe has been captured.
Close-up shot has helped in expressing feeling of these persons in effective manner. There was
multiple shots have been taken because of amazing scenery.
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Purpose of using these styles
The main reason of applying low key lighting in Intouchables is to express emotions sof
crime, horror, bonding, anger properly. Director has used non diegetic sound in order to create
feeling of calmness (The Intouchables, 2018). High key lighting and colour combination has
shown beauty of sweeping birds, air, mountain etc. At the end shot director has used calming
soundtrack. for that they have used piano. This has created accepting feeling in this shot. Use of
such sound track has helped in creating feeling of intimacy between two different contrasting
characters.
Cinematorgrapher has used fast cuts in some scenes. The purpose of using fast shots was
to convey difference in characters and situation of Driss and Phillipe (Film Analysis, 2018).
Furthermore, slow cuts also have been used in this film in order to show feeling of both different
people.This has supported in portray both these characters and their emotional aspects. Use of
scruffy cloths was done to show poorness of character and feeling of homeless man.
From the critics point of view this movie was amazing because there are lots of emotions,
humor and simple humanist message (The French Flock to a Feel-Good Movie, 2011).
Intouchables was criticized for its message of difference between two different social group
people.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that cinematic elements and mise en scene have
touched the audience. Editing, sound, dialogues of this movie was amazing that has made
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connection between film actors and viewers. Use of classical music has created calmness and
clothing was perfect that has represented difference between two social class people. The good
elements in this movie were camera level, low key lighting, classical music, tilt tracking shots
and amazing editing. Intouchables has become remarkable film for French comedy entertainment
industry.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Araüna, N., Tortajada, I. and Willem, C. M., 2018. Portrayals of Caring Masculinities in Fiction
Film: The Male Caregiver in Still Mine, Intouchables and Nebraska. Masculinities &
Social Change. 7(1). pp.82-102.
Bols, I., 2017. Programming Screen Music: The Case of British and French Symphony
Orchestras. Music on Screen. pp.183.
Harrod, M. and Powrie, P., 2018. New directions in contemporary French comedies: from nation,
sex and class to ethnicity, community and the vagaries of the postmodern.
HERNANDA, K. G., FIRMONASARI, A. and SS, M., 2015. INTONASI DIALOG DALAM
FILM INTOUCHABLES (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Jones, H. D., 2016. The Production, Distribution and Reception of Italian Quality Cinema: the
Case of Cultural Interest Films. Comunicazioni sociali. 3(3). pp.361-374.
McCormick, M., 2015. The Intouchables of France and the United States.
Online
Film Analysis. 2018. [Online]. Available through <
https://filmanalysis.coursepress.yale.edu/mise-en-scene/ >
The French Flock to a Feel-Good Movie. 2011. [Online]. Availble through <
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/movies/intouchables-is-a-magnet-for-french-
moviegoers.html >
The Intouchables. 2018. [Online]. Available through < http://sites.psu.edu/fr138tarriff/theme-
and-form/ >
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