Movie spotlight
French colonists in Africa, several months behind in the news, find themselves at war with their German neighbors. Deciding that they must do their proper duty and fight the Germans, they promptly conscript the local native population. Issuing them boots and rifles, the French attempt to make "proper" soldiers out of the Africans. A young, idealistic French geographer seems to be the only rational person in the town, and he takes over control of the "war" after several bungles on the part of the others.
In this satirical comedy, a French colonial officer in Africa during World War I is determined to impress his superiors by capturing a German fort. When he discovers the fort is actually a black and white film set for a propaganda movie, he continues his charade, leading his men into a series of absurd and dangerous situations.
Black and White in Color was a critical and commercial success, praised for its unique blend of absurdist humor and anti-war sentiment. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, solidifying its place as a memorable satire.
Praised for its sharp satirical wit and anti-war message.
Commended for its inventive premise and dark humor.
Celebrated for its unique approach to the absurdity of war.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available.
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (1977)
The film's title, 'Black and White in Color,' is a deliberate play on words, referencing both the visual nature of cinema and the ironic situation where a fake war is presented as real.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
There’s something really quite fitting about the end of this film that rather sums up the whole approach to Africa that was taken by the European powers. This film is set on the Côte D’Ivoire where the war has once again pitched the adjacen...