Chloe Knuth Joyeux Noel Christian Carion November 9, 2005 Film Multiple Countries: France, Germany, Scotland, The United Kingdom
How does this music, film, or art connect to your culture as well as other cultures?
This film connects to other cultures because it takes place in various countries. The main way it connect to other cultures is the fact that it shows the truce between the French and Germans during World War II on Christmas Day. This film depicts the French and German culture in meticulous detail. It profoundly connects to my culture because almost all Americans do celebrate Christmas and the fact that these soldiers stopped fighting on this global holiday symbolizes that humans are capable of displaying moral qualities when faced with their enemies. 2. What is the central theme or message of the piece(s)? How was that evoked by the piece? The central theme was that humans are interconnected and even when faced with the pressure of war, they choose humanity versus immorality. People from different cultures and different backgrounds came together on the one night that the Savior was born. This film shows that through its emotional interpretation of war and the hardships that these soldiers had to face. Joyeux Noel shows this by illustrating the camaraderie that formed between two groups of men ordered to kill one another.
3. What does the piece indicate about the culture of the country where the piece is from? Consider such things as family structure, gender roles, politics, economic status, education,poverty, sports, customs, foods, war, etc. There is not one culture that is shown, but multiple. The French, German, and English language were all spoken in this film. The French eat croissants and the people are all amicable, as described by one of the French soldiers. The Germans are independent, straightforward, and sometimes unemotional as shown by the German soldiers. The British were depicted as the most strict and the most organized group during the movie.
4. Describe the mood or thoughts (affect) evoked by the piece. Describe the devices used by the artist(s) to create this effect (i.e. compositional technique, media, use of elements and principles, etc.) The mood was extremely somber and depressing because it did take place during a war. At some points, like when they came together for Mass, the mood was joyful and uplifting. The soldiers acted like long lost brothers when they made the truce. The film did use the main character, an opera singer, to emphasize the emotion of the soldiers when he sang a piece everyone knew.
5. Research the historical context/significance of the piece. How does the piece “fit” into this larger/global context? Joyeux Noel is based off a true story. The film used fictional characters, but the story was a historical event that took place. It was the first time war soldiers agreed to call a truce. In Britain, children learn about the Christmas Day truce in school. This film “fits” into a global context because of its connection between three different countries who were all displayed through a reenactment of a historical event. 6. How did this experience change your world view? It completely changed my views on humanity and our profound ability to relate to one another at a time of war. The film opened my eyes to the connection between humans and our inate drive to find the good that’s hidden in the bad. Christmas is a time of joy and giving, is celebrated around the world, and was what unified soldiers in World War I.