The centerpiece of the film is the masquerade. Director Jean Renoir combines themes of death, drama, games, etc., and carries a high degree of political metaphor in the songs and costumes. The first song at the ball, "Return from the Parade," reflects Boulangerism, showing the tradition of French aristocracy against the republic. But the actor's Tyrolean costume was a clear reminder to French audiences at the time that Hitler had annexed Austria. The chauvinist movement advocated by General Boulanger to defend against Germany in the 1880s stood in stark contrast to France's aggressive policy of appeasement to ease relations with Hitler in the Munich Agreement at this time.
The second song, "We Raise Our Feet," sounds light and cheerful on the surface, but through the wigs and costumes the actors wear, they can show their orthodox Jewish identity. At that time, Jews were being severely persecuted in Germany. At this point in the film, it was easily replaced by the solemnity of death, reflecting the terrorist situation of anti-Semitism at that time.
The "Skull Dance" that heralds death follows, and the contradictions between the main characters are obviously sharpened. They started chasing and tearing each other frantically. Against the background of cheerful music, all this chaos tore off the dignity of everyone
.
