McGowan Inglourious Basterds

My favorite character in Tarantino's film, Inglourious Basterds, would definitely have to be Shoshanna Dreyfus. Shoshanna is a jewish girl whose family is killed by the "jew hunter" (Colonel Hans Landa) and his men. She then escapes to Paris where of which she inherits a movie theatre and changes her name. I love the fact that she does this because it shows that she is a brave, strong person. I like the fact that she doesn't hide a way like a frightened "rat" as Colonel Hans Landa would put it. Shoshana is everything that I love in a female character because she never gives up on what she believes in. I also feel like I can identify with her in a way. I think her character fits my personality well. I also like the way that she politely, but firmly denies the German soldier Zoller who clearly fancies her. Despite her denial, Zoller convinced Goebbels to move the premier of his movie to her theatre. This was her perfect chance to get revenge on all Nazis.

My favorite scene is the movie is the scene in which Shoshanna shoots Zoller. I get the chills every time I watch it because it is the only scene in which I see Shoshanna's sensitive side. At the beginning, the camera is looking up at her. She seems so sure of herself and of what she is about to do. However, after she shoots him her face begins to change a bit. Then, a rather sentimental song begins to play and she tries to help him. This scene is so sad to me because as soon as Shoshanna feels sympathy for a Nazi, he turns and shoots her. The camera is extremely close to Zollers pain stricken face at this point. Although he has been shot, the camera now looks up to him as he shoots Shoshanna. The end of the scene is powerful as Shoshanna falls in slow motion to the ground before she takes her last breath. The camera then looks down upon the two of them from an aerial view as they lie motionless on the floor. They both lose, but in the end I think Shoshanna knew deep down that she had avenged her family. I think that is all she really wanted.