Essay Database

Sound in Opening of Isaac Julien’s Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask Marci Ikeler Language of Film December 7, 2000 Sound is a very important element in any film; however, it receives particular importance in a documentary because the director must weave together factual information with nondiegetic music, non-simultaneous dialogue, and recreated sound effects. In the documentary Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask, director Isaac Julien confronts many of these challenges successfully within the first few …

…s chanting does not seem surprisingly empty. Finally, nondiegetic operatic music enters the soundtrack over the dialogue and sound effect tracks, creating a pensive tone that reflects Frantz Fanon’s struggles with racial identity. Overall, Julien manages to create an excellent opening to the film Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask through his use of layered sound. The layers, in turn, reflect Frantz Fanon’s search for identity among the influences of many opposing cultures.