This movie shows a much different form of oppression than that in "The Battle of Algiers". In "The Battle of Algiers", there is more of a focus on the revolution that results from the French oppression of the Arabs. In "Sugar Cane Alley", there is still quite obvious oppression and class differences, but we don't see very strong anger and resistance as in "The Battle of Algiers". Of course, the indentured servants still express their frustration with their oppressive lifestyle. For instance, Mama Tine expresses that a stillborn child is lucky because they are "saved from the cane fields", and Medouze is said to die in the cane fields because the cane fields took his life anyways. It is interesting to see how these feelings of frustration with oppression results in revolution in Algeria, but there is no real resulting resistance in "Sugar Cane Alley".
Something else that really interested me was the emphasis on education in "Sugar Cane Alley". Although there are very clear racial divisions, there is definitely the opportunity to progress in socioeconomic class through education. Mama Tine insists that Jose study and work hard in school, because she refuses to allow him to be an indentured servant that slaves away in the sugar cane fields. Even when the children are punished for setting the garden ablaze, Mama Tine does not want Jose to participate in any work in the cane fields because she never wants him to experience the hard labor that she experiences everyday. When Jose's superior academic achievements are recognized, he is immediately sent to Port-de-France and is given opportunities that he otherwise never would have been granted.
I completely agree that Sugar Cane Alley takes a very different approach to demonstrating the effects of imperialism and subjugation. The characters in Sugar Cane Alley don't show any defiance or means of seeking greater autonomy. They accept their inferior roles in society. Their methods of coping include drinking and using drugs. I think part of why this community doesn't seek greater liberties, is because they're afraid to. There may be comfort in knowing that you don't have to constantly prove yourself to a group of people that always consider you less. The only moment in the film I see a true break from this is when Maman Tine is fighting for Jose to enter the school. Even then, she quickly accepts that she has to work to pay for it rather than fight for a scholarship. Regardless this is the one moment I see her appeal to the oppressive society for something. Overall, the film heavily contrasts the terrorism and violence in The Battle of Algiers. In addition, the emphasis on education does demonstrate a want of a better life, but a life within the one given. In Algeria on the other hand, the methods used imply a desire for a complete change of the system.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that one can advance through the socioeconomic classes through education, but I disagree with you in the sense that the movie is slightly misleading to how realistically one can pursue this path. Jose initially had to pass a test to even have the chance to go to the school in the Port-de-France, and even with passing the test only received a quarter scholarship. If he had not received more money, he wouldn't have been able to stay at the school because hid family (grandma Tine) could not support him. Also, solely based upon his class origin, he was accused of cheating on a homework assignment. Although the teacher does go back on what he said, the point has already been made that no matter how intelligent and successful Jose becomes, he will always be judged first because of his color.
ReplyDeleteResponse other classmate: I really like your point about how the movie The Battle of Algiers and Sugar Cane Alley present differing manifestations of pent-up frustration and aggression of the oppressed. Perhaps this is because there is more hope of bettering one’s situation in Sugar Cane Alley through education and assimilation. Even though José fights all odds –money, time, prejudice, distance- in his pursuit of knowledge, the possibility it never the less there. He is basically half way there to “succeeding” in this society by wearing a white suite and being able to express the multiple connotations of the verb “to sing.” Yet in the Battle of Algiers there is no hope for further social acceptance or acquisition of rights by merely further assimilating. In fact most of the characters in that movie dress and speak much the same as the French. Also, the economic situation was a lot different in Algiers, for the heavy taxes imposed on them and the presence of corrupt colons interfered with funding for schools, leaving many Arabs without a means for education, the essential key to class mobility in Sugar Cane Alley.
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