Code Unknown - Subway Scene

Code Inconnu (2000). M.Haneke again depicts failure of multiculturalism in modern west Europe. Two young Arab men in a tube begin taunting Anne (Juliette Binoche), teasing her for being beautiful and trying in vain to seduce her.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• code
• unknown
• inconnu
• haneke
• binoche
• long
• shot
• paris
• underground
• subway
• multiculture
• post
• colonial
• europe
• alienation
• racism

[lgj110]

extremely powerful scene. binoche is terrific in the film. I wouldn't say it's the "failure of multiculturalism." It more denies that there is one "model immigrant" as the african adolescent is a responsible, polite citizen and these hooligans are not.

[watercolour25]

I don't think that multiculturalism can be achieved in Europe, forever.

[FredericoHille]

The biggest mistake in european history.

[idiosyncrazy1980]

@Heli2112 Yes, but what is it that makes you (him) a stranger ? A guy like him, in real life, will always be a "stranger" to a woman like her. Why is that ? Is it fair ? What can he do except shut up and resign himself to this irreductible separation, or try to overcome it which is only possible by "invading her personal space" ? In real life most people like him behave like complete jerks, but here I find his "mannerisms" quite interesting, if obviously layered with anger and frustration.

[danstrummer]

I feel this scene shows how ignorance and hatred can so easily be spread. Her dismissal of his compliment, his assumption of her being 'upper class'. His vicious reaction to her conceived insult, taints both of them. She will forever view Arabs as cruel and mean spirited while he will forever view the white middle class as elitist and cold. It's a brilliantly acted scene by all involved. Prejudgement without prior investigation stains us all.

[Heli2112]

@idiosyncrazy1980 Most people don't like it when strangers hit on them in subways and most people absolutely hate it when strangers invade their personal space. He was aggresive or rather taunting in his mannerism since the begining even though it seems to you that he wasn't...I would have done the same thing Binoche's character did...

[idiosyncrazy1980]

@marta1703 Yeah, someone should stand up to urge the conceited chick to open her mouth and say something, just anything, if only to acknowledge his existence ! Why is that too much to ask, seriously ? In this case he wasn't threatening at all, at first, he only resorted to this as a cope out, for lack of a more dignified alternative. What I mean to say is that the violence is on both sides, therefore both sides have to make efforts to try and reach some kind of peace.

[idiosyncrazy1980]

@heatseekin I have to agree with the other comment : her silence is at least as violent as the guy's behaviour. To me he seems quite polite and almost elegant in his approach, at first (it's barely realistic actually). People like him – nobody wants to talk to them outside their poor, dirty suburbs. How could all this frustration not turn into either anger or depression ? Those who chose anger are merely trying to exist, despite everything that denies them.

[Hegerridadorno]

If you interpret this scene as a depiction of the "failure" of multiculturalism, that's your problem. It's clear that Haneke doesn't believe anything of the sort.

[greatestdirector]

there's nothing to do with the multiculti thing in the video, rather it's only in the uploaders mind along with xenophobia too...

[daviellazurevieira]

@lgj110 I have to disagree. I strongly believe these social tensions, which are part of everyday life here in Paris, are the consequences of France's way of dealing with integration, and I did encounter a lot of racism towards other cultures. However, it doesn't mean threatening and aggressing other people in public transportation should appear as "normal" or "excusable". That's Haneke's genius: none of these people can handle their differences. And it says a lot about ourselves, sadly.

[harryo00]

Hello AUCBers