"Caché ," the film

So I saw "Caché" last night, and it relates to some of the European assimilation issues often discussed on this blog, so here are some comments - slight spoliers ahead.

It's a stalker thriller about an upper-class Parisian family, and the stalker seems to represent certain issues affecting the post-colonial, post-9/11 West. Someone is filming the family's home, then giving them the tapes, often along with odd, threatening notes. Message: they are being watched, and the observer is angry.

Mostly it's a stalker thriller, and we're wondering whose throat will get slashed next. A couple scenes were more graphic than I expected, but it's definitely not only a slasher film. A style note - the camera work, to simulate surveillance footage, is pretty unique.

All the while, though, we're being dropped hints about white guilt, black angst, post-Sept. 11 "Why do they hate us?" questions. (This movie was made, presciently, before the Fall 2005 Paris riots.) I'm going to sound like a snob here, but: the political subtext is probably too subtle for most American audiences, yet obvious if you're looking for it.

As the film closes, we're watching - through surveillance footage - the family's son. This kid is kind of a spoiled brat. I interpret the closing shot to be a warning that the legacy of colonialism, discrimination, anti-immigrant policies, etc., is far from over, and the next generation will still be dealing with related problems.

Overall, it's an interesing film and I recommend it. The message about "Hey, there are some problems with cultures getting along!" is pretty obvious, though, as we see another 15 people killed over Muhammad cartoons yesterday. Good job on that one, guys. Very productive.