In the film, "Underground", the chaos around the characters caused from the turmoil of World War II, has a deep psychological effect on the witnesses of the charnage. The characters in the film all seemed a little bit "off their rocker", and their exaggerated psychotic actions are more than likely an interpretation of the crazy lengths people in this age went to in order to survive and function during war. Marko and Peter obviously share a unique friendship at the onset of the film, as the ride in a carriage together and shoot at the marching band behind them. It seems that every time Peter's thoughts are clouded or inebriated by alcohol when he's trying to have fun during war, the band is right behind him, blaring trumpets and tubas around him. I think it brings good imagery to what drove the character's actions. He ignored the crazy war by drinking, having fun, and reliving experiences one would have out of war time.
Despite the obvious deranged plot twists in the film, each character seems to maintain a seemingly sane and mutual understanding of the importance to survive. People live underground, labor together as a community, and steal just to keep surviving while their country land above them is riddled with craters.
"Underground" succeeds in portraying the balance between sanity and survival for the individuals actually struggling through World War II by providing comedy in dramatic circumstances.
The interpretation of the marching band being representative of experiences out of war-time is interesting, I hadn't thought of that. My first impression was that even when he drinks to escape the calamity of war, the blaring band shows up and Peter can't find any peace.
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Oh, that is an interesting take on the band- I thought it was a way of displaying the chaotic and headstrong ways of those in power. The music seemed to block out anything that anyone was saying, which I thought could have been symbolic. I like your interpretation better, though.
ReplyDeleteYour view on the band and the relationship between the two characters is very similar to how I feel. I also really like your last sentence that said that the film "succeeds in portraying the balance between sanity and survival for the individuals actually struggling through World War II by providing comedy in dramatic circumstances." I think that was a really good choice of words.
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