“The Help”, directed by Tate Taylor, is a film set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi. The film is based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett, which is about racism and the inequality of black people. After being fired from her previous job, Minny meets Celia, who offers her a job cleaning her house. This scene emphasises themes such as racism and relationships. These themes are reinforced by four film language techniques: costume, composition, a high angle shot and non-diegetic music.
A technique that Tate Taylor used to emphasise racism and discrimination is costume. Minny wears her blue and white uniform specifically in the scene, while Celia has the freedom to wear her pink skirt and white blouse. Although Minny was contrasting to Celia in her uncomfortable uniform, Celia never treated Minny how most other white people did while they were in uniform. She saw past Minny’s race, and her
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The non-diegetic music in this scene is quiet, happy and calming. The director used the melodious piano music to help show that something good is about to happen that will be benefitting for both Minny and Celia. Their relationship is different to most in Jackson, as it is between a white wealthy woman and a black maid. Despite their positions in society, this does not prevent the two from forming a supporting friendship. In the scene, Celia expects Minny will not want the job because of how large her home is. Minny surprises Celia greatly by accepting her offer as working as her maid. At the time, 1963, Celia and Minny would have been breaking the law by sitting and eating together, which they did multiple times. It was against the law for a black and white person to eat together. If they did, whites were to be served first and a sort of partition was placed between them. Today, there are no laws such as the Jim Crow