Touki Bouki Film Analysis Essay Example

Touki Bouki Film Analysis Essay Touki Bouki (1973) The ringing of clashing metal repeats rhythmically. A young man is paraded down a rural street, crucified on the back of a truck. Two villagers prepare a calf for sacrifice. One man restrains the struggling animal as the other slits its neck crudely. A young woman stands tall, her back against the sun. With eyes downcast, she removes her shirt, exposed. The knife slices deeper into its neck. Vivid red blood spurts across the sacrificial tray. A slight smirk plays on her face as she kneels down. Slowly, she lowers her body†¦ Djibril Mambety’s 1973 film Touki Bouki seems simple enough at a glance; two spirited, rebellious young lovers, determined to do whatever it takes to get out of their derelict town and live their dreams in the big city across the ocean. The plot is certainly not the most unusual, but true to the roots of oral tradition, it is the vivid sights and sounds evoked by effective story-telling that distinguish Touki Bouki as one of the best examples of African cinema. Through the high symbolism embedded in the cross-cutting, as well as the location-specific mise-en-scene, Mambety utilizes the strong visuals of Touki Bouki to generate an atmosphere of distinctly African nature and folklore. Cross-cutting, or parallel editing, is one of the recurring techniques which Mambety uses in his films to juxtapose two distinct objects to create a single provoking imagery. In the above mentioned scene from Touki Bouki, Mory is first seen tied to the back of a truck, his cow skull memento against his chest. We will write a custom essay sample on Touki Bouki Film Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Touki Bouki Film Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Touki Bouki Film Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This shot is immediately followed by a shot of two men performing an animal sacrifice. The cross-cutting immediately primes the audience to associate the calf to Mory, and is further solidified by the way in which Mory is tied to the truck, very much in the style of a crucifixion. As a further establishment of this relation, the following shot shows Anta removing her clothes, a flash-forward of a later scene in which she has sex with Mory on a cliff. However, in this instance, the shot is shown right after a shot of the calf having its throat slit. Anta’s eyes are downcast, fixated on an off-screen object. Though the audience would later realize that she is gazing down at Mory, the back and forth shots between her and the calf held to the ground makes her appear to be smirking at the sacrificed calf. This juxtaposition naturally evokes the African language of the film through the demonstration of an African ritual sacrifice, but with the inclusion of Mory, as an impoverished, suffering citizen, it not only shows the traditional aspects of African culture, but also sets an undertone of the problems with modern African culture. Besides cross-cutting, the mise-en-scene of Touki Bouki is another prominent aspect of the film which provides a strong sense of the African identity. Following the sequence of juxtapositions of Mory, the calf, and Anta, the transition into the next scene is facilitated by a shot of the now dead calf, being skinned and cleaned by Anta’s aunt. In one distinctly provoking scene, Anta is seen running away from her crazed, cackling aunt, while the carcass of the calf sways in the foreground. The land around them, like all other parts of the inhabited areas, is dusty and almost barren, save for a few dry, twig-like plants. The living conditions of the village are still considerably primitive, stark contrasts to the extravagant lifestyle of well-off people like Mory’s effeminate acquaintance, ‘Charlie’. Besides the barren lands, another recurring location is the ocean. Throughout the film, there are many inserted shots of waves crashing against rock, at times disrupting the continuity of the scene. The significance of the ocean can be seen in the scene following Anta’s running from her aunt; as the mood of the film intensifies, the waves start to crash more heavily against the rocks. Throughout the whole film, Mory and Anta are on a quest to escape from Dakar, always heading towards the direction of the sea. The constant presence of the ocean reinforces Mory and Anta’s constant persistence to reach the land beyond the ocean. With the dry dessert lands, villages, cliffs and crashing waves, as well as vehicles, buildings, and Charlie’s swanky bachelor pad, the mis-en-scene makes the film distinguishably African, and similar to the cross-cutting, establishes the contrast between post-colonial Africa’s rich and poor. Djibril Mambety once said that he â€Å"[felt] that a filmmaker must go beyond the recording of facts†¦one searches for an African film language that would exclude chattering and focus more on how to make use of visuals and sounds. † Evidently, these sentiments were well-expressed through his story-telling of Touki Bouki. With the use of unorthodox sound effects and vivid, graphic visuals, Mambety, in exemplary traditional African fashion, conveyed the tension between Africa’s past and future with music and color. As seen in his use of cross-cutting and mis-en-scene, with the presence of provoking imagery, dialogue need not drive a convincing film. With the use of sight and sounds, Mambety’s Touki Bouki has its own uniquely African voice which rings louder than the loudest of Aunt Oumy’s cackles. Works Cited Touki Bouki. Dir. Djibril Diop Mambety. Perf. Magaye Niang, Mareme Niang, Aminata Fall. Cinegrit, Studio Kankourama, 1973. Youtube. Web. 05 Mar. 2011. lt;http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=b1IZvmjveT0gt;.

Free Essays on Physician-Assisted Suicide

Physician-assisted suicide presents one of the greatest dilemmas tothe medical profession. Should someone who is mentally competent, but deemed terminally ill, be allowed to engagein physician-assisted suicide? According to the First Amendment of The Constitution of The United States, â€Å"one hasthe freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances.â€Å" The Fourteenth Amendment states, â€Å"The Statecannot deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within itsjurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.â€Å" The group believes that a terminally ill patient has the Constitutionalright to decide whether or not to end his or her life with the help of a licensed medical doctor. There have been many cases overthe years where a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent has made the choice to either partake in physician-assistedsuicide or euthanasia. â€Å"Physician-assisted suicide occurs when the physician provides thepatient with the means and/or knowledge to commit suicide†(Death and Dying,91). â€Å"Euthanasia is when the physicianadministers the death causing drug or agent†(Death and Dying,92). The most recent case is that of The Stateof Florida v. Charles Hall. â€Å"Charles Hall is dying of AIDS and challenged the State of Florida to let him die bya self-administered lethal injection without fear of prosecution†(rights.org/ deathnet/open.html). On January31, 1997, a Judge ruled that Charles Hall could take his own life with the aid of a doctor. Senior Judge S. JosephDavis, brought in from Seminole County, â€Å"found that Florida’s strict privacy law and the equal protection clause in theU.S. Constitution entitled Hall, 35, and Dr. McIver to carry out an assisted death without fear of prosecution† (Sun-Sentinel,1A). On February 11, 1997, Charles Hall’s ruling was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court: he no longer hasthe right to end his o... Free Essays on Physician-Assisted Suicide Free Essays on Physician-Assisted Suicide Physician-assisted suicide presents one of the greatest dilemmas tothe medical profession. Should someone who is mentally competent, but deemed terminally ill, be allowed to engagein physician-assisted suicide? According to the First Amendment of The Constitution of The United States, â€Å"one hasthe freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances.â€Å" The Fourteenth Amendment states, â€Å"The Statecannot deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within itsjurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.â€Å" The group believes that a terminally ill patient has the Constitutionalright to decide whether or not to end his or her life with the help of a licensed medical doctor. There have been many cases overthe years where a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent has made the choice to either partake in physician-assistedsuicide or euthanasia. â€Å"Physician-assisted suicide occurs when the physician provides thepatient with the means and/or knowledge to commit suicide†(Death and Dying,91). â€Å"Euthanasia is when the physicianadministers the death causing drug or agent†(Death and Dying,92). The most recent case is that of The Stateof Florida v. Charles Hall. â€Å"Charles Hall is dying of AIDS and challenged the State of Florida to let him die bya self-administered lethal injection without fear of prosecution†(rights.org/ deathnet/open.html). On January31, 1997, a Judge ruled that Charles Hall could take his own life with the aid of a doctor. Senior Judge S. JosephDavis, brought in from Seminole County, â€Å"found that Florida’s strict privacy law and the equal protection clause in theU.S. Constitution entitled Hall, 35, and Dr. McIver to carry out an assisted death without fear of prosecution† (Sun-Sentinel,1A). On February 11, 1997, Charles Hall’s ruling was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court: he no longer hasthe right to end his o...

How does the oil play a big role in Kuwait economy Essay

How does the oil play a big role in Kuwait economy - Essay Example Kuwait has beautiful sandy beaches along the turquoise blue Gulf. In the southwest of the country, the landscape rises to a maximum elevation of 306 meters (1,004 feet). Islam is the predominant religion of Kuwait. Most of the Kuwaitis are Muslims are generally very conservative and governed by traditions and practices from very long ago. The Kuwaiti society is very family oriented. Kuwaiti families are usually quite large, and many different families are interconnected and related to one another through ancestry and marriage. For a country of such small size, Kuwait boasts a very broad and rich culture, containing a particular heritage and encompassing certain trends whose roots are embedded in the cultural traditions of antiquity. Kuwait holds a strong tie to its past, and the government takes pride in its assistance in the retaining of historical artifacts and antiques, as well as in the preservation of the arts and modern cultural endeavors. The official language of Kuwait is Arabic. All members of the government are required to have a working knowledge of Arabic in order to be eligible for the post. English is also widely spoken and is the country's official second language. Kuwait's government plays a dominant role in the country's economy. The government employs 92 percent of the population. Kuwait was the first Arab country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament. Moves to change the male-dominated political structure culminated in the granting of full political rights to women in 2005. Kuwait's most pressing environmental challenge is its limited water resources. In this regard, Kuwait has developed some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities, which now provide much of Kuwait's water. History of oil in Kuwait. Until the discovery of oil in the region in 1911 by a British concern, the Arab states in the gulf were weak and the faltering economies. The numerous rulers in small pockets kept up their autonomy with the help of the British. The Sultan of Omar was the largest of them all and but he couldn't further his rule because of the resistance. The Anglo Persian Oil Company or APOC was the first to start producing oil in Iran. In 1932 Standard Oil Company of California (Socal) discovered oil in commercial quantities in Bahrain. Socal then obtained a concession in Saudi Arabia in 1933 and discovered oil in commercial quantities in 1938. This triggered a flurry of oil exploration in the Gulf States in the 1930's. United States and Britain were the two main nations competing for the oil concessions. The new Iranian Government of Reza Shah Pahlavi revoked APOC's concession. Although the Shah and the British later agreed on new terms, the threat of losing Iranian oil convinced the British in particular that they must find other sources. The small states of the Persian Gulf were a natural place to look due to similar geological conditions to those in Iran. This did not mean immediate wealth for the Arab countries. Large deposits of oils were found in Bahrain. Oman was unable to export until 1967 and it was 1950 by the time oil rich states found it to be commercially beneficial. The oil fields in Kuwait were developed the fastest, and by 1953 that nation had

Compare three cinematic figures of Jesus Christ Essay

Compare three cinematic figures of Jesus Christ - Essay Example This Jesus is in love with Mary of Bethany, and although she obviously has the look of love in her eyes and he reciprocates the looks, there is something that prevents him to ask her to marry him, but he does not know what it is, when he asks his father about it, Joseph only answers; "I'm just a carpenter, but you Jesus, you are not just a carpenter." Before dying, his earthly father lets him know that he is expected to do something to deliver the people of Israel from the Roman tyranny, yet he does not understand what or why him. "You want me to step out but you leave alone" he tells his father in the grave, he begs God to raise him, he demands Him, and finally, he accepts God's will. It is Mary his mother who tells him about his divine conception and encourages him to follow his heart. That's when he leaves for forty days and forty nights to the desert to fast and meditate about his future. His innocence and great faith are evident in his encounter with Satan, when he tempts him to turn the stones into bread to feed the people of Israel so they won't die he answers: "They die because of the hearts of stone of other men, not because of the will of God." When told by Satan that in order to make people listen he should throw himself from the Temple, and have God's angels come rescue him, "that would get the people's attention." Jesus seems to understand Satan's point of view and he is about to jump, then stops and turns to tell him: "If God wanted to test nature's laws, he wouldn't have sent me." It is through the third temptation that he realizes He is "The lamb of God."

Iphone vs android Essay Example for Free

Iphone vs android Essay Over the years technology has been improving in terms of entertainment, social media, and communication. Today, smart phones are a verification of this improving technology, but how do we decide which one is the better device? IPhone and Android are the latest most powerful operating systems out on the market. There are advantages and disadvantages to both cellular devices, and the ongoing competition will improve the smartphones for years to come. Affordability and durability are the two key factors when it comes to purchasing a smart phone. Apple and Google have gone head to head on competing for the best products. Most people assume that the expensive device has better durability and can be used longer. Price wise the Android phones ranges anywhere from one hundred to three hundred dollars. In contrast, the iPhone price range is between two hundred to six hundred dollars. Most Android users report that they have dropped their phone multiple times and have not had major damage to their phone. On the other hand, iPhone users state that the front screen display can be shattered easily because of the front screen glass like display, and replacing the screen can often cost more than the phone itself. There is a wider range of android phones as they are made by a variety of manufactures. Android gives you the flexibility to choose from many different colors, sizes or distinct features. The iPhone is restricted and limited to one model each year, but recently Apple has now developed two phones with different colors to match your personal preference. Nonetheless, Apple phones have the same features. While these phones are more powerful and fun than any other smartphone, that fun comes with a price. Any smartphone user will recharge their phone almost  every couple of hours. The cellular data network on each phone drains the battery the most, because we use it daily either for social networks or important information for homework. A smartphone without applications is nothing but an ordinary dull phone. The applications are the hub of the operating system. Both the iPhone and Android have app stores which are the Apple App store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android. According to recent news, each store now has about 700,000 apps. Many of the apps are free for both stores, but Apple on the other hand has a reputation for being pricey. Its also worth noting that Android is still the second option for big companies developing applications. Many applications exist for both devices. It’s logical that the main focus is on releasing and updating the paid applications before the free ones. Each operating system has voice activated assistants which is an app on the android called S-Voice app and the well-known Siri for the iPhone. Siri is admired and amazingly beneficial to all the iPhone users. The voice activated assistants on each device, is an automated assistant that responds when one speaks to it, as if you were speaking to a person. There is also a free Android app called Robin, which pursues to rival Siri. Both of these devices contain a guided navigation system which help in getting around the local area. Apple Maps which is an app for the iPhone and Google Maps for Android. Google Maps allows the use of Googles Street View; Apple Maps does not. When using the GPS on the iPhone there have been complaints on how the GPS guides them to an unusual location rather than the original destination. The GPS for Android users is accurate and more reliable to use especially when going on road trips. Web Browser on Apple Safari for the iPhone and Google Chrome are both fine choices which work well on a mobile screen and offer touch screen capabilities, zooming in for instance is an example. In comparison the two phones have incredibly fast internet and it is basically like having a computer in your pocket at all times. Adobe Flash is available on the Android, and it aids in website where a user interface is needed and here is where Android has the advantage. A function that many people can’t seem to live without is the ability to text message. Both of these phones contain the ability to text, not just with one’s fingers but by just by talking to the phone’s speaker. This function is beneficial, because instead of a phone call that might take up your time, you can just send a message within  seconds. IPhone and Android phones are currently the latest, in demand phones. Some people wonder what the difference between the two is, or if they are just the same. Technology changes every day and there’s always new and different phones on the market. Ultimately it’s the user’s preference on which device they would like to purchase.

Considering The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an Effective

Considering The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as an Effective Representation of Evil The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, originally published in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson, arguably remains a popular novella even today because of its representations of evil and themes concerned with evil such as morality. Originally written for a Victorian audience, the text follows the conventions of the time - for example, the Georgian style of introducing and portraying characters by their social class and status. In writing his classic, Stevenson wanted to "focus on the suggestion that evil is potentially more powerful than good"1 - an idea which would have been out of place then. Indeed, though the Victorian era was a period of great scientific advancement, society was still firmly routed in religion: Sunday would be reserved for Church, a copy of the Bible would be the only book possessed by many, and blasphemy was considered both morally and legally a major crime. Though Charles Darwin had challenged the Biblical theory of Creation some seven years earlier in his thesis The Origin of Species, his works were generally not accepted by the majority of the population - it is extremely likely, as well as logical, that most of his support would have come from the scientific community, which is ironic considering that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde focuses around the medical profession. Therefore, by focusing on the suggestion that "evil is potentially more powerful than good" 1 - i.e. that God was not almighty or prevalent - Stevenson risked not only the popularity of his novella, but of his reputation as an author. The defi... .../ 3 See: Stafford News 4 Mike Wolfe, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent 5 Wikipedia [www] http://www.wikipedia.org/ 6 Genesis 4:11 - The Bible (The King James Version) 7 The Inland Voyage, Robert Louis Stevenson 8 Classic Notes [www] http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/jekyll/ 9 Essay Crawler [www] http://www.essaycrawler.com/viewpaper/55322.html/ 10 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Criticism [www] http://www.enotes.com/dr-jekyll/7417/ 11 The Carew Murder Case 12 Wikiquote [www] http://www.wikiquote.com/ 13 Peter Bell the Third, P.B. Shelly 14 Wikipedia [www] http://www.wikipedia.org/ and Dr. Mumtaz Pardhan 15 The Placebo Effect: Harnessing Your Mind's Power to Heal [www] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031231084101.htm. 16 Leil Lowndess, Relationship Psychologist

Sociological Conflict Theory

Teenage suicide, the third leading cause of death for those 13-18 years old, is a complexity of issues which culminates in a catastrophic action, the causation of which can only be partially examined or explained by the 3 main sociological theories. Functionalism would attempt to illustrate suicide as a working part of society—the weak and possibly the unsuccessful eliminate themselves, allowing society to devote resources to other issues. A con of this theory is that it does not address the issue; what motivated suicide may be a significant issue within society.Another con of this theory is that it fails to see global perspective and even a family view, thereby forcing society to use resources on family; this could be more costly than assisting the anomie. Another theory why teenage suicide is functional to our society is that failed suicide attempts give us invaluable information into the minds of those in this desperate state. A study was taken of teenagers who had attempte d suicide in British Columbia. It found common denominators such as problems in their family situations, the pressure to excel, and low self-esteem.The data collected shows an example of functionalism because it can prevent future suicides. Although suicide is perceived as a completely personal act, it creates negative latent functions that echo throughout society as a whole. When economic times are tough, some social welfare programs may be cut leading to higher suicide rates. One example is that in Europe suicide can affect how economic decisions are made by the government’s welfare programs (International Journal of Social Welfare Article published online: 9 FEB 2011). This ultimately decreases the size of the work force possibly negatively effecting economic recovery.The Marx Conflict Theory does an exemplary job in outlining the precursors for teenage suicide by exposing the underlying conflict existing between classes. This class conflict can be easily seen in American high school today. There are several factors which increase the risk of teenage suicide which vary slightly from survey to survey, but all include stress over relationships and/or performance expectations. The Conflict Theory, however, does little to address the underlying individual motivations involved in teenage suicides.For example, it does not address warning signs or the fact that a predominance of those committing suicide or attempting to commit suicide has at least one, often more than one emotional or psychological disorder. Children from the ages 15-24 are more prone for suicide due to the major changes that are occurring at this stage of life. There are many images and labels associated with teenage suicide, which coincide with the symbolic interactionism theory. Studies show that â€Å"goths† are more likely to commit suicide than â€Å"normal† teens (http://www. cvpy. org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/goth-teens-dhr. df). The reasons behind a teen's suicide or attempted suicide can be complex; some may even see it as a solution. Feelings of rejection, hurt, loss, anger, shame, or guilt can be contributing factors. Concern over disappointing friends or family members, feeling unwanted, unloved, victimized, or like they're a burden to others can lead to suicidal thoughts. Labeled teenage subcultures are often targets for bullying and teasing, which can lead to a teen’s suicide (http://alterophobia. blogspot. com/2008/05/tempest-smith-another-victim-of-hatred. html).Often, suicidal teens are seen as alienated or unduly stressed, unable to cope with the demands placed on them by their parents, peers, and the media. Within some subcultures, suicide itself may be seen as glamorous, noble, a way to lighten the burden on others, or a way to reject the norms of society. Each theory can contribute to the sociological causation and explanation of teenage suicidal tendencies; none stand alone in providing a thorough explanation of t his societal woe, though symbolic interactionism provides the most adequate examination of the issue, due to the many images and labels that are associated with teenage suicide.