Topic > Schindler's use of cinematic symbolism in the film - 1766

Spielberg decided to shoot the film in black and white for the entire film to enhance the scenes and foreshadow good and evil. However, he uses color for the girl in the red coat who symbolizes the turning point for Schindler. Candles are also used as a symbol. The smoke that arose at the beginning would later become the smoke of trains and crematoriums, representing Jewish life and death. It also uses a Nazi protagonist which goes against what a Holocaust film should have as a main character. Schindler's List is important and its story should always be remembered. He began as a war profiteer and then became the savior of 1,100 Jews. Stern was close to Schindler during the war and helped him change who he was for the better. Stern is the only Jewish main character in the film. Goeth helps us understand Nazi ideology throughout the film and in many cases we see how indifferent he was towards every Jew he killed. He also shows his inner struggle because of his Jewish maid, but ends up beating her and letting her go with Schindler because he has become more interested in money. The film touches on many important aspects of the Holocaust, including race. We see this when Schindler goes to prison for kissing a Jew and how he was told it was against the law. To give this film further credence, the use of Schindler's real Jews at the end helps add to the hype