In the film Joy, money is a major theme. It’s the driving force of the decision to go to Europe and it’s the reason madame’s exist. The women in the film go to Europe to find jobs that pay well in order to send money back for their families, but they are extorted by the system set up that the madame’s run. The madame’s take part in this in order to make their own small fortune, some even though they were brought through the system itself and know the difficulties and pain these young women go through, but do it anyway to make good money. This scene in particular along with a few others in the film use close up shots of money and exchanges of money to reinforce this theme. The money is of such significance that there are no faces in frame and all the focus is on it.  The close up of the money gives it power in the shot, and the two exchanging the money are at its will, for Joy it is getting back to Europe, as for the other lady it is not explained. Another part of the film that helps reinforce the power of money in the film is when Joy earns her freedom from the madame, she has earned enough money to pay off her debt and now has free will again.