Does the Humiliation Never End for Hans?
I would like to make a point about one scene in particular. The final scene of the film for Hans, a scene that marked me from my first viewing.
I find this passage terrible and horrible.
The sequence begins with the sisters with the French dignitary speaking on the port about Hans' fate and at the same time Hans is thrown onto the deck of the boat in a prison visible to everyone on the boat.
He is thrown like trash onto the deck of the boat in front of everyone but especially with a bag (which can have different uses including that of relieving oneself) on his head. A jump that speaks volumes because it shows that Hans has been taken away from him even more than his heart but also his identity because his face is hidden. No one wants to see it. But also the symbolism of a jump that can be used for bodily needs means that Hans is shit to others.
Hans is not allowed at any time in the film to be himself, not even at the end of the film. He is thrown into prison, without a home, without dignity, without giving him the slightest chance to be. No face, no identity, no real personality.
I find this last passage humiliating to the highest degree.
But, do you know that this is not even the end because if you remembered the short film FEVER, we have the right to see Hans at the end.
Even in this passage Hans still does not have the right to be himself because the humiliation goes even further. In addition to having to take care of the manure, AND yes again the shit, Hans still has the gaze of other living beings around him. There are the horses, who themselves make fun of Hans' situation when he lands in the manure.
At no point in the saga does Hans have the right to exist just for himself!
Hans is likened to excrement and the refusal to be able to exist for what he really is.
Isn't it ironic when the creators of the franchise talk about finding who we are, our place and feeling good (among other subjects of course).
A truly bitter irony for me.
PS: Notice the detail of the gloves. They are still there, Hans never takes them off. I don't think this is just for picking up dung…