Schindler's List (6/9) Movie CLIP - Helen Hirsch (1993) HD

Movieclips

1 Jun 201103:29

Summary

TLDRIn a chilling account, Helen recounts her fear of being killed by the Commander, who exhibits arbitrary violence without discernible rules. Despite her terror, she is paradoxically protected by his perverse enjoyment of her company, which he keeps secret. The story vividly illustrates the Commander's capricious cruelty, as witnessed by the cold-blooded murder of an innocent passerby.

Takeaways

😔 The character is expressing fear and confusion about being beaten without a clear reason, highlighting the senseless violence they face.
😣 The dialogue reveals a power dynamic where the abuser uses the victim's questions as a pretext for violence, indicating a cycle of abuse.
😢 The character 'Helen' is aware of her suffering and has come to accept it, suggesting a deep resignation to her circumstances.
😱 A chilling account of witnessing the execution of an innocent woman by the Commander, emphasizing the arbitrary and brutal nature of power.
👀 The observation of the Commander's actions leads to the realization that there are no safe rules to follow, underlining the unpredictability of violence.
🤔 The character fears being shot by the Commander, reflecting the constant threat and fear of death in their environment.
😖 The Commander's enjoyment of Helen is mentioned as a reason he might not harm her, showing a twisted form of protection born from perverse pleasure.
😡 The Commander's refusal to let Helen wear the star indicates a desire to hide his attraction to a Jew, revealing hypocrisy and internal conflict.
😶 The woman's death is depicted as meaningless to the Commander, illustrating the dehumanizing perspective of those in power.
🤗 A moment of comfort and thanks is shown when a non-romantic kiss is given, suggesting moments of humanity amidst the despair.
🍷 The mention of wine could imply an attempt to find solace or escape through drink, a common coping mechanism in times of distress.

Q & A

What is the main character's fear regarding the Commander?
-The main character fears that the Commander will eventually shoot her.
Why does the Commander beat the main character?
-The Commander beats her because she asks why he is beating her, indicating a cycle of violence without a clear reason.
What incident did Helen witness involving the Commander?
-Helen witnessed the Commander shooting a woman who was passing by, carrying a bundle, without any apparent reason.
How does the Commander's action of shooting the woman reflect his character?
-The Commander's action shows his arbitrary use of power and lack of empathy, as the woman meant nothing to him and her death was neither offending nor pleasing to him.
What does the main character believe about the Commander's enjoyment of her?
-The main character believes that the Commander enjoys her so much that he won't even let her wear the star, indicating he wants to keep her suffering a secret.
What does the main character mean when she says 'there are no set rules that you can live by'?
-She means that there is no predictable pattern or rule that can guarantee safety in the face of the Commander's unpredictable and cruel behavior.
What does Helen see when she is on the roof with young Lisiek?
-Helen and young Lisiek see the Commander coming out of the front door, descending the steps by the patio, and shooting a passing woman.
Why does the Commander not want the main character to wear the star?
-The Commander does not want anyone else to know that he is enjoying the company of a Jew, which is implied by not letting her wear the star.
What is the significance of the kiss mentioned in the script?
-The kiss is mentioned to clarify that it is not of a romantic or sexual nature, but rather a gesture of comfort or reassurance.
What does the mention of wine signify in the script?
-The mention of wine could signify an attempt to lighten the mood or provide a moment of normalcy amidst the grim reality described in the script.

Outlines

00:00

🔫 Confronting Violence and Injustice

In this paragraph, the speaker recounts a distressing interaction where they question why they are being beaten. The perpetrator justifies the violence by stating that the act itself is a response to being questioned. The conversation shifts to Helen's suffering, which the speaker acknowledges and has accepted. The scene transitions to a rooftop where the speaker and a young companion witness a Commander casually shooting a woman carrying a bundle, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of violence. The woman’s insignificance to the Commander contrasts sharply with Helen's situation, where she is spared because the Commander derives pleasure from her. The speaker notes the unpredictability of the Commander’s actions and the futility of trying to follow rules to ensure safety.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sufferings

The term 'sufferings' refers to the emotional and physical pain experienced by individuals in the script. Helen's sufferings symbolize the broader anguish faced by people under oppressive regimes, highlighting their vulnerability and endurance. The script mentions 'I know your sufferings, Helen,' emphasizing the empathy and shared burden among characters in the face of brutality.

💡Beating

In the script, 'beating' represents physical violence used to exert control and instill fear. It is a method of punishment and oppression, evident when the character says, 'The reason I beat you now is because you ask why I beat you.' This illustrates the senseless and arbitrary nature of the violence inflicted upon individuals.

💡Commander

The 'Commander' is a figure of authority who embodies power and cruelty. His actions, such as shooting a woman without reason, underscore the unpredictable and ruthless behavior of those in power. The script notes, 'The more you see of the Commander, the more you see there is no set rules that you can live by,' reflecting the arbitrary use of power.

💡Roof

The 'roof' serves as a vantage point in the script where characters observe events below. It symbolizes a place of observation and reflection, away from immediate danger. The reference to 'We were on the roof on Monday' indicates a moment of witnessing and recounting the horrors committed by the Commander.

💡Gun

The 'gun' in the script is a symbol of lethal power and the means through which violence is executed. It is mentioned in the context of the Commander drawing his gun to shoot a woman, illustrating the immediate and life-threatening danger faced by individuals.

💡Rules

'Rules' in the script refer to the social and moral guidelines that are expected to be followed for safety and survival. The line 'You can't say to yourself, 'If I follow these rules, I will be safe'' highlights the futility of adhering to any guidelines under an arbitrary and tyrannical authority.

💡Star

The 'star' represents the identifying marker of a Jewish person during a time of persecution. It signifies both identity and the target for discrimination. The script notes, 'He enjoys you so much he won't even let you wear the star,' suggesting the perverse nature of the Commander's favoritism and the denial of one's identity.

💡Kiss

In the script, 'kiss' is a gesture of compassion and human connection. The phrase 'It's not that kind of a kiss' implies a comforting, non-romantic act meant to provide solace. It underscores the need for tenderness and support in a harsh and violent environment.

💡Wine

The 'wine' represents a moment of normalcy and tradition amidst chaos. It is mentioned in the context of a gathering, 'Right, the wine!' suggesting an attempt to maintain a sense of culture and humanity despite the surrounding violence and despair.

💡Arbitrary

The term 'arbitrary' describes the lack of rational or consistent reasoning behind the actions of those in power. The Commander's behavior, as illustrated by the statement 'there is no set rules that you can live by,' reflects the unpredictable and capricious nature of his authority, leading to a climate of fear and uncertainty.

Highlights

A character questions the reason for their beating, only to be told it is because they asked why.

A character acknowledges the suffering of Helen and expresses acceptance.

A character fears being shot by the Commander.

The fear of being shot is dismissed by another character.

A character describes witnessing the Commander shooting a woman for no apparent reason.

The woman shot was described as ordinary and her death arbitrary.

A character reflects on the Commander's unpredictable and rule-less behavior.

A character is reassured that they will not be shot because the Commander enjoys them.

The Commander's enjoyment is so great that the character is not even allowed to wear the star.

The woman's death is contrasted with the character's value to the Commander.

A character expresses gratitude for a non-romantic kiss.

A character offers thanks and possibly a drink.

A moment of transition is indicated by the mention of wine.

The transcript conveys a sense of fear and uncertainty about the Commander's actions.

The Commander's actions are shown to be influenced by his own whims rather than any consistent logic or morality.

A character's fear and insight into the Commander's character are highlighted.