During this scene in the film Casablanca we see many refugees being detained and brought to the House of Justice in Casa Blanca. In the context of the film, this scene shows the uncertainty and risk of trying to escape Europe as a refugee during World War II. Within this scene officers are detaining refugees because of invalid or a lack of letters of transit which allow one to travel freely around German-occupied Europe and to neutral Portugal, these letters are especially valuable to those stranded in Casablanca with hopes of making it to Portugal and the New World.

From the opening scene the narrator shows movement by showing the journey many took to flee Nazi-occupied Germany. The usage of the map shows technical elements used by the director in order to employ a sense of hope for a new life as well as risk in finding this new life. The theme of refugees is prominent throughout the whole film as it is about the journey many refugees attempted during World War II. The film follows along with the refugees voyages as they navigate their way through and out of Casablanca. Liminality encircles this film as the refugees in Casablanca have fled their countries of origin and are now awaiting a transition to a new status they will hold when their journey is complete. Casablanca is liminality central in this film.

Over-all I especially found this scene interesting because of the ending. A man who tries to run from the cops but is shot down in front of a sign that reads, “I keep my promises. Even those of others”. In his hand they find a poster I believe to be French propaganda against the Nazi’s as the poster reads, “Free France”. I think this scene foreshadows the loyalty and faithfulness people have to their beliefs and countries.