An important thing to discuss here, which doesn't seem to fit in anywhere else, is the silence within the film itself, and the isolation it causes. In Singerman (pg. 225, French version), it says that the brief moments of contact between the other characters only serves to reinforce "the isolation of the prisoner." It is true that there is very little contact between Fontaine and the other prisoners, only a brief conversation with him and one or two other prisoners during washing time every day, before the guards say "No talking," and conversation ceases.
It is this isolation from the other prisoners that fuels Fontaine's need to escape, and also gives him the ability to do so. Throughout most of the film, Fontaine is completely alone, and completely isolated within his own thoughts (the narration seems to be later reflections from after his escape), giving him the time and ability to plan his escape. However, it is also the isolation which delays his escape. Because he is alone, he has no one to assist him with his plan. It is only after another prisoner, Jost, is introduced into his cell; when he is no longer alone and isolated, that his opportunity for escape comes. Whether this is an effect of chance, or of some higher power is debatable, based upon one's own religious viewpoints. What is not debatable is that isolation in the form of silence is instrumental to Fontaine's escape, but so is company in the form of Jost.
An important thing to discuss here, which doesn't seem to fit in anywhere else, is the silence within the film itself, and the isolation it causes. In Singerman (pg. 225, French version), it says that the brief moments of contact between the other characters only serves to reinforce "the isolation of the prisoner." It is true that there is very little contact between Fontaine and the other prisoners, only a brief conversation with him and one or two other prisoners during washing time every day, before the guards say "No talking," and conversation ceases.
ReplyDeleteIt is this isolation from the other prisoners that fuels Fontaine's need to escape, and also gives him the ability to do so. Throughout most of the film, Fontaine is completely alone, and completely isolated within his own thoughts (the narration seems to be later reflections from after his escape), giving him the time and ability to plan his escape. However, it is also the isolation which delays his escape. Because he is alone, he has no one to assist him with his plan. It is only after another prisoner, Jost, is introduced into his cell; when he is no longer alone and isolated, that his opportunity for escape comes. Whether this is an effect of chance, or of some higher power is debatable, based upon one's own religious viewpoints. What is not debatable is that isolation in the form of silence is instrumental to Fontaine's escape, but so is company in the form of Jost.
--Amber Osterholt