In the beginning of class, Polina discussed the macro-environment of the film. During that time, France was in an intense situation, in between World War I and World War II before the Nazi occupation. In reflecting the film noir style to the complex situation, it was hard to not think of the time as during or after the Nazis, and saying that it foreshadowed what was to come. For instance, in the film, Pepé was the leader and hero of that area, he was the foundation of hope and justice to the people, yet by the end of the film, Pepé becomes a different person. He seems to be dealing with an internal fight rather than leading the people, and everything that once was, was changed in an instant because of their leader diverting his normal sense to one that is destructive for the people and himself. However, it does reveal that the upcoming war was something expected with the seemingly foreshadowing nature presented in the film.

So in concentrating on this film occurring after World War I, the notion of that war being monumental with the weapons used immediately became visible. In the first scenes of the film, there is a very interesting gun fight. The men seen shooting the guns (Pepé’s men) looked like they didn’t know how to use guns. They held them awkwardly and shot with barely any movement or aim. Now in observing this scene, two things could be surmised. Either one, the acting was very bad; or two, this was done in an effect to and caused by the first World War to portray a new and distant feeling toward the weapon. Either way, it is hard to not notice the poor gun techniques, and whether intentional or not, does make you think of why they are shooting like that, and what guns mean to them living in an area of poverty.