In "Pépé le Moko or the Impossibility of being French in the 1930's, Martin O'Shaughnessy uses an interesting analytical framework to show how the film Pépé le Moko helps remind us that, "A forward and outward-looking, civilizing, modern, virile power and an ageing, decrepit, introspective and xenophobic nation just would not gel" In particular, he says the tensions are worked out in the arenas of national identity, the formation and/or sense of community, and in gender.
Nowhere is this seen clearer than in the figure of Slimane--the potential antagonist or protagonist of the film, depending on how one might see the right way to work out the French empire (even if it was in the Third Republic, the colonial agenda was strong and running in Algeria).
The Inspector Slimane proves his value as an good French national loyalist by patiently working to capture a clear enemy of the state--a bank robber. Similarly, his style of integration in the Casbah might suggest the French national apparatus can work with diverse cultural players in diverse settings to bring these diverse communities in line with French national principles. Finally, his recognition that females (Inés and Gaby) held more power than they were formally granted tilts the balance toward including women within "The Republic" (i.e. French national identity).
Of course, another side (with some supporting points brought out in O'Shaughnessy's piece) is that he was devisive and took advantage of characters stuck in a liminal state (no fixed identity).
The popularity of the movie is because he can conveniently serve both audiences (those that see him as a protaganist and those who seem him as an antagonist).
Nowhere is this seen clearer than in the figure of Slimane--the potential antagonist or protagonist of the film, depending on how one might see the right way to work out the French empire (even if it was in the Third Republic, the colonial agenda was strong and running in Algeria).
The Inspector Slimane proves his value as an good French national loyalist by patiently working to capture a clear enemy of the state--a bank robber. Similarly, his style of integration in the Casbah might suggest the French national apparatus can work with diverse cultural players in diverse settings to bring these diverse communities in line with French national principles. Finally, his recognition that females (Inés and Gaby) held more power than they were formally granted tilts the balance toward including women within "The Republic" (i.e. French national identity).
Of course, another side (with some supporting points brought out in O'Shaughnessy's piece) is that he was devisive and took advantage of characters stuck in a liminal state (no fixed identity).
The popularity of the movie is because he can conveniently serve both audiences (those that see him as a protaganist and those who seem him as an antagonist).
I disagree, at least on that last point. In my personal opinion, I don't think Slimane can, or should, be seen as an protagonist by anyone. Sure, he was a somewhat admirable character, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he is automatically a protagonist.
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning of the movie, the audience is sympathetic of Pepe and his imprisonment in the Casbah. Slimane, and everything he represents, is the main reason Pepe is unable to leave his self-imposed prison. Since from the beginning of the movie Pepe is inevitably set up as the protagonist, Slimane is left no other alternative than to be cast as the antagonist.
Even if someone watching this movie were a fan of Slimane and his French nationalist loyalties, it's easier to sympathize with Pepe, who is not a bad guy, but instead trapped. In my opinion, Slimane wasn't even that interesting of a character. He basically just waited outside the Casbah, used Gaby to draw Pepe out, and then snagged Pepe as soon as he fell into the trap.
The relationship between Slimane and Pepe is a very interesting one. On one had they show a certain level of respect for each other, but on the other, they're enemies. They joke around about how one will get the other, but the underlying tone is tense. I think Slimane was waiting for the perfect opportunity to catch Pepe and with Gaby entering the picture, it was the perfect moment to capture him. Slimane used her as a pawn to draw him out which eventually let to his arrest, and death. I think this movie is a perfect example of the saying "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"
ReplyDelete(Liza)
ReplyDeleteTory, I am going to have to disagree with you. I did not think Slimane was a particularly likable character, and I did not sympathize with Pepe. I really did not see the point of Slimane biding his time in capturing Pepe. Was he not the law and Pepe the criminal? I really did not understand that relationship. Yes, Pepe was a friend to the people of the Casbah, but was Slimane not one of them as well? Would it have been impossible for Slimane to just arrest Pepe? Why didn't Slimane report Pepe's whereabouts to the French authorities? So many questions! Basically, Slimane was like a little pest, and the way he was portrayed didn't give me the sense that he was cunning enough to pull off his little scheme, but alas, he was, and he did. He was able to manipulate everyone around him to serve his own purpose. As for Pepe, yeah he was trapped, but even in his situation he continued to be a criminal, which doesn't really make me feel bad for him. He may have been a good guy and well liked, but to me he wasn't showing that he deserved a second chance at the life he wanted.
Liza, you do make a very good point in simplifying Slimane and Pepe's relationship down to just "the law" and "the criminal." In most cases (modern day films/storylines/etc), the relationship that the two shared would not have made very much sense at all however, the time period that the movie depicted allowed them both to have one thing in common: To the Republic, both Pepe and Slimane were outsiders. Pepe was an outsider because he was a criminal, and thereby not welcomed among the leaders of the society he was born into. Slimane, although he was integrated into the Republic was still first and foremost, an Algerian. This "shared label" made them allies, within the walls of the Casbah. The people of the Casbah accepted Pepe as one of their own, thereby if Slimane had captured Pepe in the Casbah, it would have been an injustice to his people who did everything in their power to protect Pepe. In the Casbah, Slimane's primary obligations lay with his people. For that reason alone, it would've done him no good to capture Pepe anywhere but in the heart of Paris. At least there, Pepe really was his enemy, and not one of his own.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether or not Pepe deserved a second shot at the life he wanted:
Had he kept some of the composure and grace that he displayed at the start of the film, I may have been convinced to think he deserved a second chance, but the development of his character sort of fell apart halfway through the movie. He was initially introduced as a strong, cool, confidant character, but by the end of the film he was just a pathetic, sniveling, and somewhat whiny drunkard.