Questionnaire: Is it Really the End?
By Danielle Peters
François
Truffaut left the end of The 400 Blows
so ambiguous and so quick that it was shocking. I did not expect the ending to
end like that. However, directors put a lot of thought into each and every shot
and scene in each film they make. After all, this last shot is one of the most famous
shots in film.
So, here are some questions for you to think and discuss about the last scene of the film:
1. What are your thoughts about the
ending? How did the ending make you feel? 2. Do you think the ending has some significance/ message? Explain. Perhaps think about Antoine’s running long take, camera shot and movement, environment, symbolic, psychoanalytical, realism, etc.
Below is the final scene of The 400 Blows:
Photo Credit:
indiewire.com
aphelis.net
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgMBbtn6ZOg
This is a fantastic post! You make some good observations about the ending of the movie, and then pose provocative questions for your readers. Including the clip was a great idea. Mimi
ReplyDeleteThe ending of the film didn't satisfy me because it doesn't show what happens to Antoine. Using the background noises and long take, the ending of the film also made me feel concern for Antoine because as a viewer, we don't know if he's going to escape or get caught. I think the ending is significant because it shows Antoine trying to escape from the life he's currently living, to get to something better. By ending with him by the ocean, the viewers can interpret this as him trying to take the next steps towards having a successful future.
ReplyDelete- Natalie Trzcinko
I loved the ambiguous ending. As Mimi pointed out several times in class, space is of particular importance in this film. Antoine's physical space and his emotions are connected. For example, whenever he was in a closed space like in his room, in the classroom, or in the holding cell the experiences connected with those spaces had negative connotations. When he was in a closed space someone was always yelling at him, he was sad. On the other hand when the space was bigger, for example when he was running around in Paris or going to the movies with his family he was happy. It was his dream to join the navy so he could see the sea and I take it as a good sign that that's exactly where the film ended. - Sarai
ReplyDelete